J. Randy Wilson of Mountain Home, Arkansas was searching for an answer to a problem, and his solution led him to publish the "Non-Chew Cookbook."

"There are 40 million people with chewing disorders," Wilson said. A wide range of various conditions such as stroke, cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, temporal mandibular joint problems (TMJ), trigeminal neuralgia or dental problems can cause chewing problems or a total inability to chew.

Many times, patients who are put on a soft diet for these conditions simply don't eat enough, or they eat foods which don't fill nutritional needs. Plus some of these foods are just not appetizing.

Wilson's former wife suffered from TMJ problems, so he set out to develop recipes she could eat. "I noticed that when I fixed her one thing and the family was enjoying something else, she would end up wishing she could have what we were having," he said. So he decided to develop recipes she and the entire family could enjoy. Later, when he was urged to share some of the recipes, he discovered he had more than 200 of them which ended up becoming the cookbook.

"Non-Chew Cookbook" contains an array of beverage, soup, main dish, vegetable, and dessert recipes that are satisfying and nutritionally sound. There is a nutritional analysis following each recipe. Written in 1985, Wilson has sold more than 33,000 copies, and the book is in its eighth printing.

According to Wilson, who has lived in Mountain Home about a year, his cookbook is the first cookbook ever accepted for presentation to the National Oral Surgeons Convention. The book also has been endorsed by the American Dental Association and American Dieticians' Association. The forward contains statements from seven dental and medical professionals who support the book as a tool for those with chewing problems.

The cookbook is $29.95, For information or to purchase the cookbook, e-mail Wilson at randyw94@mymtnhome.com or call 870-425-5777.

Here's a recipe from the cookbook:

BBQ Meat Loaf

2 cups bread crumbs

1/2 cup onion, minced

1 tablespoon horseradish

2 teaspoons celery salt

2 teaspoons liquid smoke

1 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 eggs

1 1/2 pounds hamburger, twice ground

1/2 cup barbecue sauce.

Combine bread crumbs, onion, two tablespoons water, horseradish, celery salt, liquid smoke, garlic salt, pepper and eggs. Add beef and mix well. Place in loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Pour off grease. Pour on barbecue sauce and continue baking for 45 minutes. Add more sauce if desired. Makes eight servings.

Per serving: 255.88 calories, 21.5 grams protein; 15.12 grams carbohydrates, 23.25 grams fat, 120 milligrams cholesterol and 33.5 milligrams sodium.