Four Must-Have Carbs to Lengthen Your Life

In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, the best foods for health and long life are whole grains.

Whole grains, aside from delivering more nutrients, including fiber, minerals and vitamins, are nuttier and chewier than refined grains. Oats, quinoa, bulgur, barley and other whole grains also add flavor to everyday meals and—because of their fiber—can help you feel full longer. An Archives of Internal Medicine study suggests that eating more whole grains (and fewer refined ones) might help you live longer. Scientists suspect that the fiber in whole grains reduces your risk of dying from cardiovascular, respiratory and infectious diseases.

See a selection of recipes for the four great grains: OATMEAL, QUINOA, POPCORN and WHOLE GRAIN PASTA here (click on link). One with oatmeal is below. Enjoy!




Get whole-grain goodness from this breakfast treat

 Recipe: Oatmeal-Rhubarb Porridge
Makes 3-4 servings
Ingredients



1 1/2 cups nonfat milk or nondairy milk, such as soymilk or almond milk

1/2 cup orange juice

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup 1/2-inch pieces rhubarb, fresh or frozen

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch of salt

2-3 tablespoons brown sugar, pure maple syrup or agave syrup

2 tablespoons chopped pecans or other nuts, toasted (see Tip) if desired

Instructions:
Combine milk, juice, oats, rhubarb, cinnamon and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat, cover and cook at a very gentle bubble, stirring frequently, until the oats and rhubarb are tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir in sweetener to taste. Top with nuts.

Quinoa -- easy to make, tasty whole grain

Whole grain foods make great side dishes, or even main courses studded with vegetables and additional protein sources such as shellfish, chicken or cheese.
One very versatile grain is quinoa, which also has the benefit of being quick-cooking. It takes about 15 minutes to cook. From there, you can serve it hot or cold, all kinds of ways.
My favorite food magazine, Eating Well, features several quinoa recipes on their website this week.
Here's a marvelous quinoa dish--pictured above--that combines delicious scallops with crunchy snow peas and red bell pepper.
Search the site for additional ways to enjoy this healthy ingredient!