Our own Liz Neporent says calcium can help us build bones and lose weight and thinks that maybe it's not such a good idea for women to ditch dairy from their diets. FitSugar tells us that Jenny McCarthy did it, though.

Jenny says her dairy-free (and gluten-free) diet keeps her trim. The hot momma appears on the May cover of Shape magazine looking, well, in pretty good shape, so she must be doing something right. We do hope she's finding other ways of nourishing her body with calcium. Liz says the recommended daily intake for women is 1200-1500 mg daily and suggests sources like Chinese cabbage, kale, broccoli and calcium-fortified foods including fruit juices, fruit drinks, tofu and cereals.

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When you think of stocking your pantry with baking needs, usually garbanzo beans don't come to mind. It's time to change that thinking, for a number of reasons. Baking with garbanzo beans:

• instead of flour adds protein and fiber to your baked goods
• allows people on gluten-free diets to enjoy sweet treats
• creates treats for people on low-carb diets
• adds more nutrition to your baked goods; they really do become a viable food

OK, but how is that going to taste? I've been baking with garbanzo beans for years, namely this recipe for Lemony garbanzo bean cake. I've only gotten rave reviews, and I've even served it for Easter dessert. It is a rich cake bursting with lemon flavor.

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A gluten-free diet is a must for people with celiac disease or an allergy to products containing wheat. It's not so easy being gluten free. Not only is gluten found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye, it's also added to many foods as a thickening agent. For example, some ice creams and even ketchup contain gluten.

The latest issue of Women's Health gives us a list of some of the tastiest gluten-free products on the market. Even if you don't require a gluten-free diet, give some gluten-free foods a chance. They're often made from different grains -- like quinoa -- and it's a good idea to incorporate new whole grains into your diet.

Check out the gallery for the Women's Health top gluten-free picks.

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I have fond memories of the Outback Steakhouse. Years ago, my hubby and I would dine there every Friday night. This was before kids, before budgets, before our bodies began to bulge. We don't eat out so often anymore. And we typically stray from the place where cheese fries tempt our taste buds.

We're going to the Outback tonight. It just so happens to be a Friday night. It won't be quite the same as all those years ago, though. We'll have two little boys with us, and not so much money to spare, and we'll definitely be watching what we eat. Nope, not quite the same. It'll be better.

We love that we get to tow our guys with us to dinner. At ages seven and almost-five, Joey and Danny are pretty well-behaved dinner companions. The budget? I like it. It makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something great, saving money for our future. And the eating part? I no longer crave the junk I once ate and so I'm looking forward to a healthy Outback meal. They have those, you know?

I've already checked out the Outback's Healthy Weight Loss menu -- I'm not trying to lose any weight at the moment but I figure these options will serve me well -- and I think I'm going to order the salmon, without butter and seasoning. I'll get the house salad without cheese and croutons and with tangy tomato dressing -- it has no fat -- on the side. I"ll have veggies too, minus the butter. Have you ever eaten Outback veggies? They're yummy -- and soaked in butter. I hope they're still good without.

The Outback offers other healthy menu versions. There's the gluten-free menu, the heart healthy menu, the diabetic menu, and the high protein/low carbohydrate menu. When you're in the market for a dinner out, check these out. And tell us what you'd order.

Want to know what you should not eat while dining out? AOL Body has the dirt on the 20 worst restaurant foods.

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Rheumatoid arthritis played a big role in my house growing up -- my dad suffered from it and when I say suffered, I mean suffered. Horribly. He struggled with everyday things--writing, chores, walking down the stairs--and just couldn't do many of the physical activities he used to. So if you have the disease, I really feel for you.

However, here's some potentially hopeful news: Recent studies are showing that adopting a vegan, non-gluten diet can help ease the pain of rheumatoid arthritis. It can also help prevent heart disease and strokes in those with arthritis. According to the findings, arthritis sufferers on a vegan diet had lower levels of C reactive protein, a compound that is related to levels of inflammation in the body.

The bad news is that a vegan, non-gluten diet involved cutting out all animal products (including meat and dairy) and many common grains. What can you eat? Lots of nuts, seeds, fruits and veggies.

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Always in search of something healthy to nosh on, I just came across a new way to get a good amount of protein from a snack, without it coming at the expense of high carbs, too much fat, or a heaping amount of sugar. Oh yeah, or bad taste. It's called Power Pop, and it's a protein-packed, gluten-free flavored popcorn from BBNC Snacks.

Unlike other popcorn snacks, Power Pop was designed for the fitness buff. As a matter of fact, the owner of the company boasts an impressive physical transformation from coach potato to bodybuilding champion. Granted, this change did not occur overnight, nor did it take place exclusively because the guy ate Power Pop. But, what it does show is that this is a snack that health-conscious people don't have to feel guilty about eating.

I've personally tried all five flavors: Barbecue, Chocolate Caramel, Cappuccino, Caramel, and Lemon Meringue. And though I'm partial to caramel and lemon meringue, all of them were pretty tasty.

To try Power Pop for yourself, you can purchase it directly from their website: www.bbncsnacks.com

The GF-CF diet can change the world, according to experts at the recent Asian Autism Conference in Hong Kong. But what is it, and how can it change your life? GF-CF is short for gluten-free, casein-free diet. Gluten is a major ingredient in many breads, pastas and wheat products, while casein is present in many dairy items.

But why is it so revolutionary? Apparently, adopting a GF-CF diet can rid children of many symptoms, including physical symptoms like diarrhea and insomnia, plus behavioural problems like agitation and hyperactivity. And it's thought that gluten and casein play a role in Autism as well, and a GF-CF diet can help treat the condition.

But implementing a GF-CF might be harder than it sounds. Cut out all wheat and dairy? It would be difficult for me ... how about you?

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