My friend has some weight to lose and is not able to eat high fiber foods because she has IBS. What can can she do?

Dear Jackie: I'm nine weeks pregnant, and I've had bad morning sickness the last few weeks. I'm scared to take medicine, though. What can I eat that will help?

Dear Pharmacist: My brother is on a gluten free diet now and lost a lot of weight. He’s razzing me to join him on his gluten- free diet, but I don’t see the point unless you have irritable bowel syndrome (that’s why he did  it). I really like my pizza, and beer too! I read you every week, are there other health benefits? — M.J., Hollywood, Fla.

On a recent morning, Lodi resident Stacy Lister held up a plate of chocolate chip cookies she made along with her daughter, Amaris. The cookies are not just your average chocolate chip cookies. Instead of traditional flour, they are made with potato starch, brown rice flour and xanthan gum.

Since 2008, Dr. Waleed Ibrahim has practiced gastroenterology, the branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the stomach and intestines.

In July, he decided to return to his hometown of Lodi and open up a practice in the community where he was born.

“My family has been here for 60 years. It’s a great way to give back to the community,” he said.

Last Independence Day marked the return to excellence for American hot dog eaters.

It was 10:34 when the gentle tap from a rough hand startled me. I turned from my textbook to find a short, mostly bald man standing directly behind me. In a hushed voice he asked, "What are you studying?"

A local specialty physicians group has terminated its contract with Delta Individual Practice Association, which may cause some Lodi residents to head south for medical care.

A local specialty physicians group has terminated its contract with Delta Individual Practice Association, which may cause some Lodi residents to head south for medical care.