Should you go gluten-free?

++  The short answer is:  NO, unless your health care provider has diagnosed you with Celiac Disease or similar gluten-sensitivity (or is testing you for this). 
  Gluten-free diets are the "cure of the month" right now.  The good news stemming from this is that people who need a gluten-free diet can now find a wider range of gluten-free foods and find them more easily.  The bad news is that a person who goes gluten-free without guidance from a dietitian or a doctor can easily develop vitamin imbalances from the diet restrictions, and end up worse than he/she started. 
  In case you are wondering about gluten:

• Gluten is a protein found in many--but not all--grains.  It's the substance in wheat that helps give structure to bread, for example. 
• People with Celiac disease can't digest gluten properly, so it causes damage to their intestines.  This leads to symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, and weight-loss. 
• Celiac disease can be dangerous because the damage leads nutrient deficiencies (poor absorption), but other diseases can cause the same symptoms, so it is unsafe to diagnose yourself.

Bottom line:  If you have Celiac disease, it's worth the effort to stick with your diet.  If you don't have Celiac disease and try to avoid gluten, you may be wasting money and/or endangering your health.

Egg-cellent Remains

Easter eggs to be eaten when Easter is over (assuming you've kept them safe to eat)
Ham or lamb left over from your holiday dinner
Cooking that ham or lamb in the first place
The first fruits of spring (rhubarb, strawberries, etc.)

Which of these are you facing right?  Can you add to the list?
Here are some web sites that may help you decided how to cook these foods.  (This is not an endorsement of these sites. It is not an exhaustive list, but just a starter for you.  * = information also in Spanish)  

www.aboutproduce.com – safety and nutrient information about fruits and vegetables
www.bettycrocker.com – recipes and how-to’s
www.diabetes.org – good general resource, includes recipes of the day.
www.eatright.org – American Dietetic Association – tip of the day, etc.
www.exnet.iastate.edu – Iowa State University Extension – lots of information on all aspects of farming, home and family living;   Every state has a Cooperative Extension Service with similar information, geared to the conditions in that state.
www.foodsafety.gov - * food safety information, resources, and links; also has a children’s page; for Spanish/Español, click Languages
www.fsis.usda.gov - * food safety
www.homebaking.org – recipes and tips
www.homefoodsafety.org - * from Amer. Dietetic Assoc. and ConAgra foods
www.ific.org - * food safety
www.kitchendaily.com – recipes, how-tos
www.mealsforyou.com – recipes and menu ideas
www.ChooseMyPlate.gov - * planning your personal food intake; has tracker to evaluate and store your food and exercise diaries

www.nationaldairycouncil.org – links to sites with recipes and health tips

www.nutrition.gov – * a large variety of food-related health information
www.nutritiondata.com – type in a recipe to find out how much fat, protein, etc. is in the food
www.recipeamerica.com
www.recipelink.com
www.smallkitchengourmet.com – includes recipes
www.theideabox.com – early childhood education resources, includes kid-friendly recipes and crafts