Letters

On behalf of the estimated 750,000 celiacs in the United States--and countless others who don't know they have this condition--thank you for Ann Whalen's informative article, "Getting Rid of Gluten" (April, p. 24).

As a publisher of gluten-free cookbooks, I'm delighted to see celiac disease covered in national magazines like yours. Hopefully, many people will recognize themselves (or family) in this article, get the proper diagnosis and adopt a healthy, gluten-free lifestyle.

Carol Fenster, Ph.D.
Savory Palate, Inc.
Drover, Colo.

A Fine Mess

I have just finished baking the Apple Pie with Oatmeal Cookie Crust (April, p. 68)--my first "from scratch" pie. I made a huge mess, but that first mouth-watering bite of warm pie was worth every ounce of flour and oats on me and the floor. Thank you for this wonderful recipe.

Brenda Fort

Dallas, Texas

Beating Cancer

Your cancer article ("Beating Cancer One Bite at a Time," April, p. 78) unintentionally pointed out the major problem in health care in the United States, namely inequity in access (or a system in which access is driven by resources). You featured three individuals of considerable means with the resources and access to try to reverse their disease. I applaud their apparent success but bemoan the fact that it was driven by the abundant resources.

Cancer is not a disease of the affluent white population. The incidence (and mortality rate) of prostate cancer is higher in African Americans, as are colon and breast cancers. All three are at least as likely to occur in persons of low income, few of whom, if any, have access to the vegetarian lifestyle in this article. Few, if any, can reduce their hours at work or reduce the stress in their lives or choose to switch to a vegetarian diet. Few live in neighborhoods where obtaining the appropriate food items to support the vegetarian lifestyle is even possible.

The approach to cancer prevention, as highlighted in your article, is both laudable and interesting. But the reduction in cancer that will result will be a drop in the bucket. If we truly want to prevent cancer, we must find ways to reduce the inequities in access.

Sylvia E. Furner, Ph.D.

Palatine, Ill.

Editor's response: It's true that few people of any income level can afford a private chef. But the point of the story was that there's one effective thing that anyone can do to prevent diet-related cancers, and that is to switch to a vegetarian diet. Animal products and fast food are much more expensive than simple veggie fare. Even in low-income neighborhoods one can find beans, rice, cooking greens and produce. And today, tofu and meat analogs are available in many commercial supermarkets.

The American Way

I have found that the English version of vegetarian means lots of dairy, eggs and sugar. Americans seem more inclined to the vegan side, which I prefer.

Each month I look forward to my newsagent telling me that Vegetarian Times is in. I make a good cup of tea and spend the afternoon reading it.

Lilian Van Dongen

South Caulfield, Australia

Calling All Recipes!

Do you want to share a favorite vegetarian recipe with your fellow readers? Each month we will print one delicious and easy recipe here in the Letters department. (Recipes must be original, not from a cookbook or magazine.) If your recipe is chosen, you will receive a Vegetarian Times apron or tote bag.

So get cooking and send your favorite recipe to Kathy Farrell-Kingsley, Food Editor, at the address below or the e-mail address.