Members of the Celiac Support Groups of New Hampton and Waverly will be selling their new cookbook, “Let's Eat Gluten Free,” to raise funds for celiac research. The cost of each book is $15 (plus $5 for shipping, if necessary). 
    The spiral bound cookbook features a collection of tried and true recipes that avoid the use of wheat, barley or rye flour. People with celiac disease suffer intestinal damage if they eat foods made with these grains. Currently, the only known cure for celiac disease is to eliminate these grains from the diet, but that can be difficult to do.  
    The local support groups meet several times each year to share good food, new recipes and the latest information about celiac research. Member Betty Bast initiated the cookbook project to raise research funds and help others with celiac disease. Food can taste great even without using wheat, barley or rye flour. 
    "Most of the recipes came from our support group members who are wonderful cooks and have spent long hours in the kitchen developing breads, desserts and recipes that substitute different flours for the offending grains," stated Bast. "Our goal is to make the food taste as close to wheat flour products as possible."
    Additional recipes came from other celiac support groups and a Web site listed in the book.
    Bonnie Knapp, who typed and submitted the cookbook's recipes stated, "G&R Publishing was great to work with and the turnaround time from submission of recipes to final copies was fantastic. We're very excited to share this book."
    The cookbooks go on sale Sept. 6 at the Iowa State Celiac Convention to be held in Waterloo at Cedar Valley Community Church, 3520 Ansborough Ave. Various recipes will be prepared for tasting during the convention. “Let's Eat Gluten Free” may also be purchased by contacting Betty Bast at 319-231-0107 or Bonnie Knapp at 641-816-5835.