Posts: 203
2/21/13 11:49 P

I found a fun link that shows portion sizes for popular grains:

www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/food_lib
rary/grains/crackers2.html

How many whole grains did you get today?
(2 servings for me)

SparkPoints: (10,741)
Fitness Minutes: (1,482)
Posts: 1,489
2/17/13 1:46 A

I love black and red rice. With a nice piece of fish and a salad yummy!!

current weight: 214.0

233 214.75 196.5 178.25

160

Posts: 7,019
2/11/13 8:14 A

Wow! There aren't a lot of sparkers who are familiar with red and/or black rice.
Glad to see I found one.
I cook up black rice, freeze it in portions and use it in vegan mock meat loaf.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

Posts: 203
2/10/13 11:56 P

Yesterday I tried Red Glutinous Rice. We bought it from an Asian store near here. It was rather good. I added some steamed broccoli and stir fried beef for supper.

Tip of the day: Whole grains can be healthy snacks. Popcorn, a whole grain, can be a healthy snack if you make it with little or no added salt or butter. I usually just put about one or two tablespoons of popcorn in a plain paper bag with nothing on it and fold over the top of the bag. Then pop in the microwave as if it were "microwave popcorn" Sometimes I spray some "Can't believe it's not butter" on it for flavor. Much healthier than the pre-pakaged kind!

Also, try 100% whole-wheat or rye crackers.

A healthy snack can help you get through to your next meal without over indulging in calories.

Posts: 203
2/6/13 9:59 P

What ingredients are you using in your meatloaf, Jenae?

Posts: 7,019
2/6/13 12:37 P

Have been experimenting with making vegetarian meat loaves.
I had always shied away from them because of the ingredients.
That problem was solved by creating my own combinations.

The bonuses are that they are high in protein, low fat, freeze well (for lunches), and quite cheap.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

SparkPoints: (16,367)
Fitness Minutes: (9,774)
Posts: 1,098
2/6/13 6:13 A

Woohoo good morning all I get to pick todays exercise

3 sets of 10 jumping jacks

Today during my breaks at school I will work on these myself. I dont have any weights for I will have to wait until I get home to do yesterday exercise unless i can just do it without weights

Opps wrong place for this sorry

Edited by: TIGEER25 at: 2/6/2013 (06:14)

current weight: 216.6

222.2 204.15 186.1 168.05

150

Posts: 203
2/5/13 11:22 P

Today as I look at the foods I chose, I had whole grains in the form of Kashi cereal in the morning, processed grains in homemade pizza pockets in the afternoon (could of used whole wheat flour I guess) and whole grains in the evening (I had rolled oatmeal in the pancakes I made for national pancake day). If I had 100% whole grains it might be too much fiber- he he he. And if you totally missed National Pancake Day - never fear International Pancake Day is next Tuesday!

TODAY'S TIP: If you are trying to make simple switches from processed grains to whole grains, try 100% whole-wheat breads instead of white.

Personally I am a little glad my last child will be leaving home soon because then the white bread will not need to even come into the house as I have finally converted my husband to whole grain breads.

SparkPoints: (12,275)
Fitness Minutes: (9,144)
Posts: 163
2/5/13 10:20 A

I can see no reason why not, maybe using a lot less stock, so the wraps don't get soggy!

Posts: 7,019
2/5/13 6:41 A

That sounds really good.
Wonder if the recipe could be made without the barley and used as a tasty filling for wraps?
Thanks

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

SparkPoints: (12,275)
Fitness Minutes: (9,144)
Posts: 163
2/5/13 5:15 A

I made a tasty stew with roast veg. Added them to chicken stock with left over chicken from roast day before. Lots of black eye beans and barley. Used a mix of spices too, my husband really enjoyed it. I prepared enough barley for my grandchildren to try as a rice replacement, as they will only eat white rice, [which is not a whole grain], but tastes quite bland like rice. The lads liked it, so I have another choice I can give them, with out them getting bored.

Posts: 3,452
2/4/13 7:39 P

I made the barley stew recipe tonight. It needed a bit of tweaking ( read the reviews) but it was quite good and very filling. Had some crusty whole wheat bread with it for a good winter supper.

SparkPoints: (11,114)
Fitness Minutes: (18,885)
Posts: 77
2/4/13 1:39 P

I only eat whole grains except at work for dinner, because I eat what they serve. so this is not a challenge for me. But I wish someone would make whole grain doughnuts. Dave's Killer Bread made me happy when they came out with their Good Seed Halos bagels.

Pounds lost: 100.0

0 32.5 65 97.5

130

Posts: 203
2/3/13 10:56 P

This morning I tried mixing pearled barley with steel cut oats. Afterward I added fresh blackberries and frozen peaches with a touch of splenda. Definitely a filling breakfast food.

SparkPoints: (1,096)
Fitness Minutes: (80)
Posts: 41
2/3/13 10:18 P

I like this challenge. I will introduce more grains into my diet. Right now its just oatmeal and wheat bread.
My goal this week is to try at least one grain.

Posts: 7,019
2/3/13 10:02 P

I love this challenge!
Love trying new grains.
Thanks!

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

Posts: 1,423
2/3/13 10:43 A

Great challenge! I usually eat quinoa (love it), brown rice and barley.

SparkPoints: (124,406)
Fitness Minutes: (127,605)
Posts: 6,821
2/3/13 3:44 A

current weight: 186.0

186 176.25 166.5 156.75

147

SparkPoints: (10,811)
Fitness Minutes: (4,099)
Posts: 73
2/2/13 11:15 A

I'm looking forward to trying out some new food! I usually eat no grains, or I'll go full blast on white wheat.

0.0 Inches Lost

0 2.5 5 7.5

10

SparkPoints: (10,741)
Fitness Minutes: (1,482)
Posts: 1,489
2/1/13 11:47 P

I love trying new grains. This should be fun.

current weight: 214.0

233 214.75 196.5 178.25

160

Posts: 139
2/1/13 11:15 P

I will look for recipies with whole grain to try on the site. Already found some awesome ones to try this week!

SparkPoints: (37,818)
Fitness Minutes: (72,138)
Posts: 1,746
2/1/13 3:14 P

My daughter has Celiac...so I do need to make 2 meals most of the time anyway...

DH protested when I switched everything to whole grains...told him I cook and that's how it is...you don't like it then don't eat it but that's supper...stopped complaining and just got used to everything...couldn't imagine eating anything white anymore...

current weight: 145.6

185 170 155 140

125

Posts: 7,019
2/1/13 2:36 P

Made my first vegetarian mock meat loaf.
It was sooooo great!
When I have the time I will add it to the SP recipe site.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

SparkPoints: (40,735)
Fitness Minutes: (17,167)
Posts: 120
2/1/13 2:16 P

Don't let the winter beat you, stay on the program and achieve your goals. Good luck, everybody!

Posts: 142
2/1/13 12:23 P

This is something I have been working on already. My poor DH hates it, but he's just going to have to get over it (LOL)! I will be checking out that recipe as well.

current weight: 218.0

218 201 184 167

150

Posts: 3,452
2/1/13 11:17 A

This should be no problem for me as I am careful about using whole grains primarily. My winter breakfast is organic oatmeal with walnuts - had it again this am and I don't seem to get tired of it. Thanks for the link to the recipe. I love barley and will be trying that one this week.

Posts: 138
2/1/13 11:15 A

Good challenge!!! After my parents went whole wheat everything when I was in high school, we saw a change in our weight, and now, when I eat white bread or white rice or pasta, it's not good! haha.

current weight: 175.0

175 171.25 167.5 163.75

160

Posts: 592
2/1/13 11:05 A

Oh, this is always a dispute in our house. I buy whole wheat bread, DH hates it. I buy brown rice, he eats white. I try to limit baked items, but always look for whole grains there too with Wheat Thins and corn chips.

In short, eating whole grain means buying duplicates of everything. I do that when I can, or limit my consumption.

current weight: 125.0

125.2 122.65 120.1 117.55

115

Posts: 601
2/1/13 10:25 A

I eat all whole grains, but have recently discovered I have severe reactions to wheat :/ we have for the last few years bought the whole grain-organic, no gmo & milled it ourselves. It makes a huge difference. Right now, I am using spelt instead of wheat & eating oats or quinoa for my grain when needed. I do like barley & use it in stews mostly. I'll have to give your recipe a try!

Do your research & feed your body well!!! :) you are worth it!

Edited by: CRAZYBUSYMOMOF5 at: 2/1/2013 (10:26)

Pounds lost: 23.0

0 10 20 30

40

Posts: 7,019
2/1/13 7:55 A

Mostly eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
Will take a look at adding whole grains back into diet.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

SparkPoints: (12,275)
Fitness Minutes: (9,144)
Posts: 163
2/1/13 5:53 A

As I enjoy whole grain recipes, and used to eat barley in soups, stews etc, I will give the recipes a go and let you know how it went. I usually eat brown rice, and whole wheat pasta. And the bread that I allow myself on occasion is Allisons wholewheat sunflower and pumpkin. Which is really tasty and sustaining.

SparkPoints: (30,675)
Fitness Minutes: (4,438)
Posts: 1,718
2/1/13 1:20 A

pass on this one,,i rarely eat bread rice or pasta

current weight: 210.0

260 222.5 185 147.5

110

Posts: 203
2/1/13 1:03 A

When it comes to Nutrition, I am always cautious about “strange” diets or foreign ideas. In my mind, losing weight is a life-long endeavor and better done by making lifestyle changes that will help my body feel great and ready for the next challenge.

February 14th is Valentine’s Day and February is Heart Health month. This is the perfect time to focus on whole grains and the benefits they can provide for our health. Any food made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley or other cereal grain is a grain product. Grains are divided into two subgroups, whole grains and refined grains. Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel – the bran, germ and endosperm. People who eat whole grains as part of a healthy diet have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases.

This month’s challenge is to EAT AT LEAST HALF OF YOUR GRAINS AS WHOLE GRAINS. I would like to see the things each of you have done to focus on whole grains in your diets. Do you have a great recipe you have tried? What about the variety of grains out there?

To start us off, I found out that since 2005, the U.S. FDA has allowed barley foods to claim that they reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. I just recently tried a recipe with Barley in it and LOVED it!

allrecipes.com/recipe/white-bean-spinach-a
nd-barley-stew/detail.aspx?event8=1&pr
op24=SR_Title&e8=Quick%20Search&event1
0=1&e13=A%3aSearch%20Results-List%28co
ntrol%29&e7=Home%20Page

How do you eat your WHOLE GRAINS particularly your Barley???