Used as far back as the Stone Age for currency, food, and medicine, barley is a great addition to a healthy diet. Barley contains plentiful amounts of both soluble and insoluble fiber, it helps aid bowel regularity. It contains 96 calories, 22 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of fiber per half-cup of cooked barley. Unrefined barley contains abundant amounts of potassium. It also has lots of magnesium, manganese, vitamin E, B-complex vitamins, zinc, copper, iron, calcium, protein, sulfur, and phosphorus. This versatile ingredient can be added to soups, stews, cereal, salads, pilaf, or ground into flour for baked goods or desserts.
Brown Rice
Brown rice is more nutritious and a much better option than white rice. Unlike white rice it offers you vitamin E (important for healthy immunity, skin, and many essential functions in your body) and is high in fiber. White rice is stripped of its fiber and most nutrients too. In its whole brown rice form, it contains high amounts of the minerals manganese, magnesium, and selenium. It also contains tryptophan, which helps with sleep. Brown rice can easily replace white rice in almost any recipe: soups, stews, and pilafs. It is an excellent choice for those who are gluten-sensitive or celiac.
Kamut and Spelt
Kamut and spelt are ancient grains that are part of the wheat family. Both of these tasty grains have higher nutritional value than whole wheat. Both kamut and spelt are high in protein. Spelt is packed with the minerals manganese, magnesium, and copper, and also contains high amounts of the mood-regulating and energy-boosting B-vitamins niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin. Choose kamut or spelt bread or pasta to replace white options.
Oats
Oats are good for your body in many ways. They help stabilize blood sugar and lower cholesterol, and are high in protein and fiber. Oats are available in many forms including instant, steel-cut, rolled, bran, groats, flakes, and flour. The best options are the less refined ones like steel-cut, rolled, flakes, and bran. Oat flour is an excellent substitute for wheat flour in baking recipes. A good source of minerals like manganese, selenium, magnesium, and the sleep aid tryptophan, in many studies oats also assist with lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease.
Quinoa
Quinoa, a staple of the ancient Incas who revered it as sacred, is not a true grain, rather an herb. Unlike most grains quinoa is a complete protein and is high in iron, magnesium, B-vitamins, and fiber. In studies, quinoa is a complete protein and is high in iron, magnesium, B-vitamins, and fiber. In studies, quinoa is a proven aid for migraine sufferers and, like most whole grains, lessens the risk for heart disease.It also contains the building blocks for superoxide dismutase-an important antioxidant that helps protect the energy centers of your cells from free radical damage.
Wild Rice
Wild rice is actually a type of aquatic grass seed native to the United States and Canada. Its high content of protein and delicious nutty flavor make wild rice worth every penny. It’s an excellent choice for people with celiac disease or those who have gluten or wheat sensitivities. Wild rice also has a lower caloric content than many grains at 83 calories per half cup of cooked rice. And it is high in fiber. Add wild rice to soups, stews, salads, and pilaf. It’s important to note that wild rice is black. There are many blends of white and wild rice, which primarily consist of refined white rice.
COOKING GUIDE FOR WHOLE GRAINS
The following water amounts and cooking time are based on 1 cup of grain. As for all whole grains, add water and grain in a pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to low heat to simmer for the amount of cooking time specified.
Barley (pearled) 3 cups water, 15 minutes cooking time
Brown rice 2 cups water, 35 to 40 minutes cooking time
Oats (quick cooking) 2 to 3 cups water, 12 to 20 minutes cooking time
Oats (rolled) 2 to 3 cups water, 40 to 50 minutes cooking time
Quinoa 2 cups water, 15 minutes cooking time
Wild rice 3 cups water, 50 to 60 minutes cooking time
Kamut and spelt can be cooked as whole grains but are most commonly used as whole grain flour in breads and other baked goods.
As I started researching for this article I thought I knew where I would stand. However, when I found myself unwilling to sign a petition to ban offshore oil drilling, I realized my emotions had reached a boiling point.
The scale of environmental damages from the BP Deepwater Horizon explosion along with the destruction of our ocean’s wildlife is alarming. While researchers have identified the immediate impact, we may never know how long this oil spill will transcend through time. In order to restore the damages to the ocean, the wildlife and the fish, a staggering amount of money and work must be devoted to the clean up process. We can only hope that time is matched with resources and manpower. If we are lucky, the deep gash in Mother Earth will begin to heal.
However this leads me to more questions than answers…
Have we reached a point where we can halt deep water oil drilling and new exploration? Was this a fluke or can we drill using safer methods? Do we continue to rely on foreign oil, until we can supply our own clean-energy alternatives? If we do not explore for new oil resources will it cause a greater reliance on coal?
Where does natural gas fit in? BioFuels? Solar? Wind? How long will it take for the “Clean Energy Alternatives” to become mainstream?
All industries, including the clean energy industries will have accidents; and with each accident-- hopefully we learn a little more on ways to prevent and safeguard them
The industrial revolution defined America and set precedent for other countries to follow. With that being said, it is fair to note that the bad habits of American industrial life were adopted. Have we reached the point where it is unacceptable to keep relying on natural resources? Is it time for the human race to end the widespread deterioration of our natural habitat? or is there an acceptable balance?
Q: I just purchased a new kitty and want to know what foods are toxic to cats?
A: There are a number of human foods that can be toxic to cats and cause anything from intestinal obstruction to gastrointestinal upsets and neurologic sign such as seizures. Since cats are carnivores it is best to purchase a pet cat food that is balanced and nutritious. In my opinion you should look for one of the first two ingredients listed to be of meat origin, i.e. chicken, beef, venison, duck, rabbit. This will ensure that your cat gets the meat protein that it requires.
Who wants better health, greater wealth and more rewarding relationships? The real question is “who doesn’t?” Why do some seem to easily attain all they desire, while others are left with constant yearning? You can gain the answer to that question through better understanding of what is commonly known as the “Law of Attraction.”
Q:Can you give me some advice on the dangers of heat as it pertains to my pets. I have a dog and cat plus an 8 year old rabbit that we keep in a hutch outside. What can I do to keep them safe during the hot summer months?
