If you are
troubled by prescription drug ads and want to know which claims to believe, the
government might help with its evaluation of what's credible and what's
misleading:http://www.fda.gov/oc/promotion/
Food Focus: Wild Rice
Wild rice, of
the genus Zizania, is a grass, the grain of which, according to Wikipedia, is "high
in protein, the amino acid lysine, and dietary fiber, and low in fat.Like true rice, it does not contain
gluten.It is also a good source of the
minerals potassium and phosphorous, and the vitamins thiamine, riboflavin, and
niacin." Those B vitamins -- B-1, B-2, B-3 -- pack a powerful punch in promoting
your nervous system and your sugar metabolism, among several other
functions.The "low in fat" observation,
of course, only holds until we add some lovely butter or olive oil!What about Lysine -- what does that do for us?It is one of the so-called essential amino acids, meaning we can't
manufacture it ourselves and must therefore eat it.This particular amino acid is recommended
for: reducing cold sores, increasing calcium absorption; building collagen; and
participating in the reduction of too-high cholesterol levels. (Vitamins for Dummies,
Hobbs & Haas, Wiley, 1999)
Recipe of the Month: Wild
Rice Pilaf
Ingredients:
1
cup of wild rice
2
tablespoons of butter, olive or coconut oil
1
medium onion, chopped
1/4
cup of diced dried apricots or other dried fruit
1
teaspoon of dried thyme
3
Cups of water or broth
Sea
salt and ground pepper to taste
Directions
Wash
and drain the rice;
Saute
the chopped onion over medium high heat for 3 or 4 minutes;
When
the onion is translucent, add the rice and the thyme;
Cook
for 2 or 3 more minutes, while stirring;
Add
the water -- or broth -- and the apricots, cover and bring it to a boil;
Immediately
cover and lower the heat to simmer for 40 minutes
Taste
the rice: if cooked, let it continue without a lid to evaporate any remaining
liquid; if not cooked, keep checking frequently and add more water, if
necessary.
Add sea salt and
pepper to taste.
Recipe
adapted from A Taste of Heaven and Earth, Bettina Vitell, Harper Collins,
1993.