The Whole Grains Council is sponsoring a campaign to get more people thinking about, looking for, and eating whole grains called “Just Ask for Whole Grains”. The buttons are beautiful, and they’ll send you one if you write to them and tell them what you plan to do with it!

Their website contains comprehensive info on a variety of different grains, from Amaranth to Zizannia (wild rice), and all the associated health benefits. These health benefits read like a medicine man’s cart of elixirs, with promises of health and longevity (barley fiber lowers cholesterol more than oat fiber, corn has the highest level of antioxidants of any fruit or veg, higher than apples, etc.) but I don’t like to get caught up in that as much as simply remember that there are so many different kinds of food available, that we may never bother to eat. And variety is good for you.

And so I am reinspired to explore the bounty of whole grains (as well as totally in love with the graphics!). My favorite grain (besides wheat, which I suppose I eat a lot of) is millet. I love adding it (without pre-cooking) to wholewheat bread for an extra crunch; it is also very good boiled, then mixed with butter and syrup, like oatmeal. Mmm mush! It’s nice to be re-inspired to try some new ones….next up, I think Amaranth! I’ll let you know how it goes.