Featured Food of the Week: Millet

So, why should we be eating millet? Well, here is how Americans found out back during World War I; food was scarce and some people in desperation started to eat their chicken feed. Chicken feed contained millet and to their surprise, they were healthier than before they lived on chicken feed. In fact,many of their diseases disappeared altogether. Why? Well, millet is one of the only alkaline grains. When your body becomes sick, it is a sign that your body is too acidic. Millet will help rebuild your cells. It is very easy to digest and is one of the most completely balanced of all grains. It is rich in vitamins and mineral, lecithin and amino acids. Millet has a very mild taste and you can add it to anything. You can also cook this up and eat a bowl of it with a little honey, especially if you are feeling a little under the weather. I throw this in my smoothies, wheat when I grind it into flour and into baked goods. It just tastes crunchy. If you want to cook it, here is how:

Boil 3 cups water, add 1 T or oil, dash of salt and 1 cup millet. Boil 2 mn, turn down heat and simmer for 30-40
mn. In a pressure cooker, bring 2 1/2 cups water to boil, add 1 cup millet, oil and salt. Cook on first ring for 10 mn. Release pressure naturally.

A Cookie Success

Thanks to my fellow E.H. , Angela Ferrin for inspiring me to make a whole grain cookie! I spent the afternoon testing various recipes and adding different ingredients to make a cookie that is all whole grain and tasty. Well, I had the taste testers, the beautiful girls above come to my kitchen for the real test. I told them they were healthy cookies and they all kind of turned up their noses. I gave them each one, they picked a small piece off, then one by one they said, "Wow, these are so yummy", "Are you sure these are healthy?" "Can I have another one?". So, I guess it was a cookie success. Just remember ladies, whole grain nutrition does not mean no calories. I must go to the gym tonight from all my cookie sampling. Try them out. Kids will love them. Tomorrow I will blog all about Millet and why you should be using this in your diet.

Whole Grain Chocolate Chip Cookie

AKA Bird Seed Cookies

Mix together:

1 cup soft butter

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Whip until very light and creamy.

Add:

2 cups ground wheat or ground spelt flour

2 1/3 cups rolled oats

2 tsp baking soda

Mix until all incorporated.

Then, add :

1 package chocolate chips

1/2 cup whole millet

chopped nuts if you like them

Drop on a greased cookie sheet and cook at 350 for 10-12 min. I like to make these into little chipper size

cookies , bake for a bout 6-8 min if they are small.

Delicious!

What adding a little pressure will do...

Valentines Day has never been much of a celebrated holiday in my home, a theme shared by us equally but last year I have to say, my sweetheart came through big time. I was teaching a class that day at church using my beloved pressure cookers, of which I had two and I had made a comment to him a day earlier that I wish I had one more bigger one so I could use all three at one time. The next day, just before I was leaving to teach the class, he pulled this beautiful pressure cooker out and wished me a Happy Valentines Day. Honestly, to me, it was better than jewelry. Ever since I started using the pressure cookers, I can't imagine life without them. They have saved me more time than I can calculate over the years cooking. They cook in about 1/3 the time and seal in the nutrients lost in other cooking processes. This one above, is my favorite. The Cadillac. Not all pressure cookers are created equal. The Kuhn Rikon line is the tops sold at Shar's Kitchen store in Gilbert but can be ordered on line at sharskitchen.com. They are pricey, but will last a long time. Many are intimidated at first, it is a different way of cooking, but being able to make homemade re fried beans in less than 30 minutes makes learning something different worth it or cooking a roast in 45 minutes! Just think of what you will do with all of your spare time! Do I hear pedicures?

Canister Crazy

I have to admit that I have a bit of a love affair with containers. I especially love these square containers for all of my grains,beans and baking ingredients. I have at least 20 in different sizes. The best thing about these is that you can buy all the bulk foods and save the cost of packaging. Shar's kitchen center also sells her products in these great containers so everything matches. I also like them so I can see what I have and what I need to buy since they are clear. The square shapes are great because they fit so well in the pantry. I also have small ones in the fridge for my yeast and other grains. You can buy these at smart n final, Shar's and possibly sams club. They are real cheap and are a good quality.

If you do not live by a sprouts or natural food type store, you can order grains and cooking items online at www.bulkfoods.com. The prices are pretty good and shipping is low cost. I have ordered many things from them when I couldn't find them anywhere else.

Snack Time

In response to the emails, here are a few of the basic staples of snacks we have around our house:

Chips and Salsa (tostitos, sprouts brand mostly)
fritos and bean dip, made with homemade beans and salsa
chips with melted mexican cheese
natural line popcorn
gold fish crackers, now without trans fats
gorilla munch cereal, as a snack , not a cereal.
Trail mix, watch out that it doesn't have partially hydrog. oils
apples and peanut butter
whole wheat toast with jelly
fruitabu fruit roll ups
Healthy handful snacks from costco
homemade granola with good yogurt, either homemade or cascade type brand
Homemade cookies and treats, try to use butter recipes, not shortening and put in some whole wheat, you can also easily sneak in shredded zucchini to brownies and muffins.
Mini muffins, whole wheat flour only. Somehow the mini size makes them more appealing!
Tree top all natural fruit snacks, still has sugar but mostly good for a treat

I will post more ideas as I think of them and give you recipes to try out. Here is my granola recipe that never seems to stay around very long in my house! I love it with fresh yogurt and fruit. It is also a great breakfast.


Fruity Granola

1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup jelly
4 1/2 cups rolled oats

melt butter , sugar and jelly in saucepan until sugar is broken down and all melted. Toss with oats . I also like to add shredded unsweetened coconut and slivered almonds . You could also toss in other grains. Spread on 15X10 jellyroll pan sprayed with pam. Cook at 325 about 25-35 mn or until slightly golden brown. Let cool then break up and store in container. It should be crunchy. You can add dried fruit at this point. I like to use a jelly that is either low in sugar or sugar free. Your kids will love this! You could also cut it into granola bar squares when it is still warm if you want.

Artificial America

Do you really know what you are eating? Do you have any idea what is in the food you are feeding your children? None of us would feed our child poison but how many of us are allowing them to eat food that is so packed with artificial ingredients that to the body that is exactly what it is: poison. The truth is, America has gone artificial. Why? Because it is cheaper. Real food cost money and big companies know that. They can switch to a cheap , processed, artificial means of food and no one really says anything. It tastes good and packages well but, what really are they feeding us? Since America is really run by big companies, ie, the American Dairy council, Coca Cola, Drug companies, how can you trust what they are saying. Although so many issues are being brought before congress for investigation, the big companies use any means possible to stop these, knowing that regulations would affect them greatly. So, enlightened homemakers of America, it is your responsibility to know for yourselves what you are eating and what you are feeding your little Americans at home. What are we going to find out in ten years that causes cancer when it is too late? The information is out there now. Research, know for yourselves. I do believe that in moderation, most things will not kill us, but, I do have a list of the ingredients that I simply do not buy:

High Fructose Corn Syrup

Partially Hydrogenated oils

Food Dyes

Aspartame

Go look in your pantry today. What are you feeding your kids? If you understand that what we eat has a direct correlation to how we feel and act, it is easier to be concerned with what we are eating. If you don't know about these ingredients, give it a google. These artificial ingredients are not recognized by the body and cannot be processed like real food. They are stored as toxins, and toxins cause diseases. Why is America so sick? Why is cancer out of control, MS, Autism, ADHD? Fortunately, it is much easier and cheaper now to find good foods. Companies are removing the partially hydrogenated oils. 0 trans fats means they do not contain the bad oils.

I urge you all to read your labels, know what you are eating. Take a look in your pantry today. It is our jobs to take care of our children, to give them the opportunity to feel good and to focus and enjoy life. I believe we will be held accountable for our care we give our children. What is more important than their health?

Recipe request

I have many emails and comments requesting various recipes. Since it is easier to copy an email, if you are interested in receiving some recipes, please email me at goodman-7@cox.net and I will pass some on to you. If you have recipes to share, please also send them to me. I will send them on to the whole group. If you type a recipe, please type it in word and send as an attachment.

Thanks!

Wendi Lee Photography

Just a little blurb for my sister-in-law, Wendi - Check out her website at wendilee.wordpress.com,or use my link below to see the Valentine specials she has going. She has a studio in her home in Mesa and makes the cutest cards with the pictures. She also designs Blog headers, like mine if you are in need and can't figure out the what the heck HTML is all about!

Simply Organized

A simple way I have discovered to eliminate the "Where is that paper....?" is to have a hanging file folder for
each of my children in my file drawer where they can access. Anytime I get a paper that I will need ie. dance
recital information, soccer sign up sheet or class phone number list, I know just where it will be. If my little ones make a picture for grandma, we will know right where it is the next time she comes over. The kids know that if they have a special paper they did at school, they put it in their file. When the file gets too full, it is time to sort through it and empty as needed. The special papers they still want to keep go into their big rubermaid bin that they have for their favorite pictures and school papers. I will send that bin off with them when they are married. This system has worked great for me. Before I had file drawers, I just had a pocket folder for each of them.

While I have some simple organization tips to pass on, my friend, Molly, has many "cute" organization tips to pass on. I am not a "fluffy" person, too practical, but Molly makes everything cute. I have asked her to write some blogs for me with her tips . She is known for her talents in this area. So, keep your eye out for her upcoming column. If any of you have an area of expertise or info you would like to pass on, email me or make a comment and I would love to have you guest blog. That was my intention of this blog, all of us sharing our ideas. Thanks for all of your emails and comments. I have learned from you all.

Can you say "Quinoa?"

The American Cancer Society states that 45% of all cancer is caused by the lack of fiber in our diet. In America, since we live on such a white flour , processed diet, our colons are suffering and as nutritionist say, death begins in the colon. Why? Well, if you have ever taken white flour and mixed it with a little water, you make paste. That is exactly what happens when you eat the white flour. It turns into paste and clogs up your system, ruining the digestive process and creating all kids of havoc. If you added water to whole wheat, the fiber will keep it from turning to paste. It will flow on through. If you are eating properly , food should exit the system within 24 hours. That means, yes, you should be "Pooping" at least once a day. If you are not, you are not healthy. Therefore, I will introduce you to a wonderful grain for my featured food of the week: Quinoa (Keen-wa).


Quinoa is a super grain that is used so very little in America but is widely used in other cultures. In fact, it is the main food of many Andes tribes which are known for their endurance. Quinoa can be purchased at Sprouts, and other health type stores. You can grind it in a grinder like wheat or cook it up like rice. You can then add it to salads for a little nutty taste. As flour, it has a bit of a strong taste so you want to use it in small amounts with other flours. I sneak it in to muffins, waffles, bread , etc. It is the most nutritious grain of all. It has a high level of lysine which helps maintain a lean muscle mass, helps produce antibodies and hormones and helps to keep the vascular system healthy. Take a look in your pantry, if you are living on a "White Flour" diet, make some changes today. You are what you eat. Who really wants to be paste?