{Gluten Free}

Dear Gluten,

I'm tired of you not helping my body feel good. I'm better off without you. 

Farewell,

A

It seems like so many people are either developing an intolerance for gluten, or are dieting against it. At first I didn't really understand what the problem was. And then I so very much became aware. One of my dearest friends is a Celiac, and through her I started learning how easy it is (mostly) to cut out so much gluten from our diets. At first, I was convinced she couldn't eat anything! Now her and I are together so often it has become so natural for me to be very conscious about gluten. Recently, I've started cutting out all gluten from my diet. And amazingly, I haven't missed a thing. I feel healthier, more energetic, and overall, just better. My body just feels good. I knew it was a good thing when one night, after not having consumed gluten for a number of days, just felt gross when I was eating it. I felt like my body just didn't need it. I can't really even describe it. I just didn't need it.

The moral of the story is this. Being gluten free is a lot easier than I thought it would. I would absolutely love to continue this lifestyle. Don't get me wrong, I am in no way opposed to gluten, and when gladly consume it anytime I'm near a yummy breadstick. However, I'm cutting it out for the most part of my daily life. I want to live a healthy life. Remeber the Fall, and how I was so very sick and was in the ICU? Well, I learned some things about my body then. It's demanding some healthiness from me, and it truly deserves it.

So to celebrate... here's the world's best gluten free cookie recipe... Seriously, you won't even know there isn't any flour (or dairy, for that matter) in this! Yum! Enjoy. :)

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 Cup peanut butter (I like using crunchy... it gives the cookies even more texture)

3/4 Cup white sugar

1 Lg. egg

1 Tsp. vanilla

1/2 Tsp. baking soda

1/2 Cup chocolate chip (I prefer semi sweet)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until creamy. Add chocolate chips. Spoon into 1 inch balls on a pre-greased cookie sheet. Bake on center rack for about 9 minutes. Cool and enjoy!

Note: when these cookies come out they usually need to cool for a while to "set." When they first come out they tend to be very, very soft and delicate.