What's the deal with grains?

I've been reading a lot about grains lately, motivated by a huge trend towards grain free diets. It all started with wheat (gluten) and has expanded to most grains and legumes. You may have heard of the all too popular Paleo diet or lifestyle. Advocates of this diet claim that grains are to blame for the multitude of auto immune diseases that have emerged in the last decade. To say that I've been intrigued by such radical rejection of a whole food group would be an understatement. You may have already guessed that I'm not an early adopter or pioneer. Im far from it actually. I tend to sit on the sidelines and watch, study, and only after ample time for deliverance, do I subscribe to an idea. In this case I'm actually refusing to subscribe. Allow me to elaborate.

For millennia humans have been cultivating and consuming grains. Many civilizations thrived on single crops as their main sustenance. But historically grains were revered and given the proper care and treatment before consumption. Something we have far deviated from. For starters, seeds were carefully hybridized and handled by seasoned farmers who knew, through years of experience, how to enhance the harvest based on the characteristics of the soil and the natural environment. Man made chemicals such as pesticides began to take off around the 1950s, so they really are a modern era phenomenon. Not surprisingly around the same time commercial agriculture began to replace small farming and the focus shifted from cultivating the best grains to getting the most output, at the expense of environmental and human health.

Is it really that bad? Well yes and no. Perhaps the consumption or over consumption of genetically modified or pesticide ridden grains has already put a toll on our guts. And since immunity begins in the gut, I'm not at all surprised to learn about the high correlation (not necessarily causation!) between grains and auto immune conditions. So, is it too late? I'd like to think not. Here are a few things we can do to avoid further exposure to toxics and harmful effects to our bodies. Read: you do not have to stop eating grains! Just because someone you know is gluten or grain intolerant doesn't mean you are. Get tested if you have any concerns but I can almost guarantee that if you take these precautions you will be able to digest grains without problem.

1) Buy organic whenever possible. But, make sure all the wheat, rice and corn you consume is organic. Rotate your grains! Do not consume too much of anything.

2) Soak your grains and legumes, overnight. Better yet, germinate or sprout them for 36 hours.

3) Cook your grains and legumes with a weed, like dandelion, and/or an acid component like tomatoes. Doing so will greatly reduce phytic acid, a substance present in grains and legumes that interferes with proper digestion and absorption of essential vitamins and minerals.

Epazote in your beans? That's right! Yogurt on your lentils? Surprised? Many baked goods call for buttermilk or apple cider vinegar. I guess someone has known about this process all along. In the last few years we are spending less and less time in the kitchen. Our busy lifestyles and the convenience of prepackaged goods have made it all too easy to omit essential steps in our cooking process. All to our detriment really.

Proper handling of grains and legumes is essential for proper digestion. Most commercial processed wheat products are not sprouted. Look for those that are or make your own. I'm still searching for a good breakfast bread for toast but what I really need to do is make my own bread. And don't forget your oats! Yes, oats are also a grain :)

Grains and legumes contain essential vitamins and nutrients. Eat them in moderation but treat them with proper care.

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Update on food budget

The end of our budget period nears and our pantry and refrigerator clearly reflect it. This week we've managed to use up stuff that had been neglected either at the back of our pantry shelves or in our freezer (remember i don't throw food away if i can help it). If it hadn't been for our weekly CSA we would have cracked down and shopped for some fresh items which would have put us over budget. All things considered we DID have a camping trip which required some "extras," so not all is bad.

Here is a picture that requires no caption. The big blue bowl contains a simple pesto pasta which will be dinner tomorrow. The pyrex holds a small serving of squash bake which will be my breakfast. I typically eat toast but we have been out of it all week. We have 6 eggs left in the carton from a dozen I picked up yesterday and my fermented vegetables. That's it!





Tomorrow we start a new month. Our goal: $700 budget, less processed food, and hopefully a better looking refrigerator come September 15th :) I must confess that I've been much more appreciative of my food this week. A little self restraint doesn't hurt anyone.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad