If you're watching your weight, counting calories really works — just ask Kate Hudson. Recently, I wrote about the handfuls of both veggies and fresh fruits you can eat and consume under 100 calories. Healthy whole grains are a little different.
Learn what 100 calories look like from brown rice to quinoa when you read more
Vegetarians and omnivores unite and make today a meat-free Monday by serving a reassuringly creamy risotto for dinner. Traditional risotto is made with arborio rice, but if you're looking to take it up a nutritional notch, prepare the dish using leftover barley, a chewy cereal grain high in fiber and antioxidants but low in fat. Parmesan cheese and wild mushrooms don't just add in meatiness and substance — they also impart strong umami flavors. See how the quick dish comes together and read more.
A little forward thinking today will go a long way. Chances are, after the big game, you'll be craving something light, fiber-rich, and low in fat to help you get over too many beers, chips, and buffalo wings.
Before you head out to your Super Bowl festivities, bring together barley, broth, seasonings, and whatever vegetables — canned or fresh — you happen to have on hand.
All the different elements will come together over a long simmer resulting in a soothing soup that's waiting for you at home. Make a dinner you'll be grateful for and read more.
With the addition of vegetables, barley, and lots of fragrant seasonings, brown rice, normally accustomed to being a staple side, suddenly finds itself in the main dish spotlight. What makes this brown rice a hearty vegetarian meal are the layers of flavor and variety of textures. While fresh thyme and spicy chipotles in adobo may not be the most obvious of food pairings, when tossed with the barley and rice, the ingredients blend seamlessly. Lots of spinach provides a stimulating green color, and chunks of nuts add a necessary crunch. To get this exciting recipe that won't disappoint, please read more
Looking for a simple way to bulk up the nutrients of dinner salads? Add a whole grain like barley. According to FitSugar, consuming barley could lead to lower cholesterol levels.
Although she recommends using hulled barley, this recipe calls for pearled barley. After it's cooked, the hearty grain is tossed with cooling yogurt, crisp apples, and crunchy celery.
The entire mixture is served on a bed of arugula, making for a salad that is filling, healthy, and delicious. To check out the recipe, read more
Grains like rice and carbs like pasta are classic standbys, but they become exponentially healthier when they're unrefined. I am talking about whole grains. So swap out white rice for brown, use quinoa instead of pasta, and throw some bulgur wheat in that burger. You'll lower your risk of cancer and build up your body's levels of fiber, vitamin E, iron, manganese, and zinc. Here are five overlooked grains that you should consider adding to your next meal. I have even included recipes to get you started.
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To get through the craziness of the holidays, I've been employing my slow cooker. Today I'm feeling like something creamy and soothing, but I want it to be healthy and light, too. I wasn't sure that could be possible until I came across this risotto, which calls for barley instead of regular Arborio rice. Although the dish will be smooth from hours of simmering in broth, it'll also have a nice texture that's different from rice, along with the bright flavor of fennel. To make this, read more
Impress the vegetarians in your life by taking the time to make this flavorful, hearty meal. Although it simmers for only about 45 minutes, the final dish has a depth and richness equal to something slow-cooked. The ingredient list includes mushrooms, cauliflower, onion, tomatoes, and bell peppers, but feel free to use the vegetables that your family enjoys eating.
To look at the recipe that would be delicious served with a chunk of crusty bread and a glass of red wine, read more
We hear the claims that whole grains are good for our hearts all the time. But are all grains created equal? According to RealAge, there are three grains that are especially good a lowering blood pressure: whole wheat, barley, and brown rice. So while it's good to incorporate all types of whole grains into your diet, look for these on labels and in grocery stores to reap the heart healthy benefits.
Have any recipes featuring those grains that you would like to share? Add them to the Lite'n It Up — Healthy Recipe Group.
