Healthy Aging isn't the only national observance being celebrated this month. September also marks the annual Whole Grains Month. What a great way to enjoy whole, real foods. There are so many great grains to choose from, too! There's wild rice, buckwheat, millet, amaranth, bulgur, spelt, sorghum, teff, brown rice, and way more! The more variety of grains you eat, the wider the range of healthy nutrients your body gets.
The top ten essential nutrients you get from whole grains include protein, fiber, copper, iron, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, manganese, selenium, and the B vitamins!
Are you succeeding in including more whole grains in your meals? Enjoy what's left of summer with some delicious summer dishes that include whole grains. Here are three simple ways:
1. Whey Protein Smoothie
Grains in a smoothie? Yes, exactly. It may sound strange but even a palm of cooked whole grains can help give your smoothie a thicker consistency. As a plus, you get a great earthy taste to mesh with the fruity, cocoa, or other natural flavors you've added. You may even blend some traditional oats into your whey protein smoothie.
Whole Grains + Blue Mango Heaven Whey Protein Smoothie
1 to 2 scoops of ProEnergy Vanilla Protein Isolate
1- 1 1/2 cups of pure water, unsweetened almond milk (or skim milk)
1/4-1/2 cup frozen mango
1/3-1/2 cup blueberries
1/4 cup unprocessed oats (traditional)
Add ice for extra thickness
Optional: 1 scoop Greenergy
Optional: 1/4 cup of OmegaEnergy Mix or 1 tbsp of OmegaEnergy Oil
270 Calories
27g Protein
2. Veggie Burgers! Black bean, lentil, chickpea, and tofu burgers are great!
But did you know adding whole grains will give your veggie burgers a nice crunchy texture and more flavor! Take your go-to veggie burger recipe and just add 1/2 to 1 cup of your favorite cooked whole grain (such as quinoa) and you'll never make a veggie burger without them again. The possibilities here are endless...
3. Summer Grain Salad: This can work as an entree or a side dish!
Try a combo of two or three of your favorite grains as your base and then use whatever local veggies are in season. For example, chop some fresh mint and parsley, a pint of cherry tomatoes (roasted or fresh), a handful of cooked corn, 1/2 a cup sliced almonds, several scallion sprigs, and few cubes of light feta cheese. Toss it with your favorite EVOO-based dressing recipe and you've got yourself a perfect picnic "pasta" salad with whole grains.