Welcome to Whole Grains Month, a celebration of amaranth, barley, buckwheat, millet, oats, quinoa, rye, sorghum, spelt, teff, triticale and other whole grain wonders. The Whole Grains Council is making whole grains even more appealing and accessible with their Make the Switch Contest.
Sixteen whole grain-loving bloggers (including me) have created recipes changing up basic boring, white processed rice and pasta for munchier, more satisfying whole grains Register, check ‘em out and vote for your favorite (and may I suggest the curried spelt). One winner chosen at random will be gifted with $500. It could be you.
Really, though, everyone wins with whole grains. They’re complex cars for good energy with a host of vitamins, minerals, nutrients refined wheat products have had zipped right out of them in processing. Whole grains deliver:
• plant-based protein, that necessary nutrient people think vegans don’t get
• fiber to balance blood sugar, lower cholesterol and reduce risk of cardiovascular disease
• satiety, that delicious happy tummy feeling you get when you eat a bowl of wonderful — even if you’re gluten-sensitive,
They’re shelf-stable, and once cooked, they freeze well and don’t fall apart when you thaw them like white rice does. They’re cheap, nourishing and built to feed a crowd. From bubbly quinoa to chewy spelt, each whole grain has its own mouth feel and unique but mild flavor that welcomes all manner of flavorings and produce. What’s not to love?
I love the Whole Grains Council and the traditional nourishing whole foods of the world they advocate.* You don’t have to go old school like me, though. Go for an abundance of whole grain products including cereals, pastas, pilafs, breads, muffins and more.
• Chewy, satisfying udon (buckwheat) noodles instead of white flour ramen noodles.
• Quinoa instead of white rice — more protein and fiber, cooks faster, too
• White whole wheat flour has the nutritional benefits of whole wheat flour but performs and tastes more like processed white flour. There’s as many easy, delicious ways to taste what this party is all about as there are whole grains. So make the switch (and consider the curried spelt recipe).
* I was not compensated for this post but as one of the Whole Grains Council’s Make the Switch bloggers, I received a few whole grain goodies to sample, for which I say thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you for reading my vegan stories and plant-based recipes. I sincerely love to connect with listeners and would like to hear your feedback, takeaways, “ah-ha!” moments, etc in the comments.
Connect with me for discounts, exclusive tips, and other freebies:
• Join my NEWSLETTER for exclusive content & offers
• Join my social networks on LINKEDIN, TWITTER and FACEBOOK
Want to learn more?
Explore more of my VEGAN RECIPES, and my COOK BOOKS.
Do you want a happier life, a greener plate, and a delicious world? Then sign up for VEG THERAPY.
