Guide to Grains

Imagine something so filled with life force that it could reproduce after 5,000 years in a pyramid. That's a grain for you! Within their tiny hulls, grains contain most of the basic nutrients essential for life: water, carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Taken as a whole, the parts of grains--the bran, nutritious germ and starchy endosperms--work in balance with one another. Whole grains in their simplicity and wholeness are healing, nurturing and nourishing.

Jimbo's...Naturally! offers grains in bulk or in individual packages. Organic grains are offered whenever possible...

BARLEY: Barley has ancient origins and has been used as a food, a measuring standard and even as money. Reach for whole barley, which is high in protein, fiber, potassium, calcium, niacin and iron. Pearled barley has had its husks scoured off (along with nutrients) to reduce cooking time. Used most often as a thickener for soups and stews and as a partner in grain dishes, whole barley is also sprouted to produce barley malt syrup. Barley is soothing to the digestive tract and to the liver. About 10 percent of the world's barley crop goes for beer production.

MILLET: The closest many in this country get to millet is as birdseed. Yet with 6,000 varieties around the world, it is a staple for many cultures and has been for centuries. Millet is high in some B vitamins, copper and iron. It is the easiest grain to digest and makes a great side to any meal. For a real taste treat, sauté it with garlic and onions before steaming. When cooked and cooled, it has an ideal texture for shaping, allowing the ability to fry them into millet burgers.

OATS: Whole oats were long considered a weed before being cultivated. Now, they are a tasty and healthy addition to everything from bread to cookies to hot breakfast cereals to granola. Oats are easily digestible, burning slowly in the body to provide extra energy and they contain natural antidepressant nutrients. The bran and germ remain intact in each of the three most commonly sold forms of oats--steel cut, rolled and whole (hulled) groats. Store raw grains in airtight glass or ceramic jars. Several herbs, such as lavender and bay leaf, placed in your grains cabinet will help ward off moths.

For more complete information about GRAINS, drop by any Jimbo's location to pick up a free brochure.

Jimbo's....Naturally! San Diego's premier natural foods store serving San Diego with stores in Carmel Valley, Escondido, Carlsbad and 4S Ranch.