The Gluten-Free Homemaker

I love the library.  I even know my 14-digit library card number by heart.  I am very grateful that I happen to live in an area that has a great library system.  No matter where you live, I’m sure your library has at least a few cookbooks, and these days it probably has some gluten-free cookbooks.  When I was first diagnosed with celiac disease over nine years ago, I didn’t know how to cook anymore.  Then a friend who had recently put her son on a gluten-free diet told me she found gluten-free cookbooks at the library.  I rushed off as soon as a I could and sure enough, there were several cookbooks by Bette Hagman.  It was a life saver.

Today, finding recipes isn’t so hard.  There are many great recipes on blogs and other web sites, and there are many more gluten-free cookbooks available than when I started out.  If you are new to the gluten-free diet, the library can be a good place to start.  Since there are so many cookbooks to choose from out there, the library lets you try them out and see which ones you like best.  Gluten-free cookbooks are usually filled with useful information as well as recipes, and borrowing a book from the library is free!

If you’ve been gluten-free for a while, you might be like me and just want to look for some new ideas.  Many times I’ll find a cookbook that has only a few recipes I like.  There’s no sense wasting my shelf space on the whole book.  I write down the recipes and make note of the source, and the book goes back to the library.

Once you are comfortable with the requirements of a gluten-free diet, don’t limit yourself to gluten-free cookbooks.  A book filled with baking recipes won’t be helpful, but there are many cookbooks with great meal recipes that are naturally gluten free or can easily be made so.  If you are looking to expand your repertoire, you’ll find many more choices at the library if you consider all the cookbooks.

Many libraries also have a store where they sell used books.  My library has a very small one, but I always take a look.  I recently found this book for $0.50. 



With all the zucchini I’m getting from my garden, I was thrilled.  I have marked numerous pages in the book.  Even if I don’t follow a recipe exactly, it gives me a starting point and ideas to try.

If you haven’t been to the library in a while, give it a try.  You will find the cookbooks in the 641 section.
 
For more money saving ideas visit Frugal Fridays at Life as Mom.

Labels: books, frugal tips