Mike's Merch Shop

Indie Folk/Rock Artist

Getting the Brown Back in our Rice

We all know what it is.ย  Weโ€™ve all seen it, tasted it and passed on it only to take its white, refined version as a substitute.ย  What is it about Brown Rice that makes it so beneficial? ย ย Itโ€™s all in the Bran.ย  Most everything thatโ€™s good, or rather, great about brown rice is lost during the milling process. This is when it becomes white rice; essentially a ball of starch that is contained within nutrient dense layers of bran and germ that are removed.ย ย  Within those layers are fiber, healthy oils, magnesium, iron, an array of B Vitamins, Vitamin E and overย 70ย other antioxidants.

Some of the potent antioxidants you can find in rice bran:

  • Coenzyme Q10 (or CO Q10) โ€“ ย benefits the heart, cell aging and repair and fat burning
  • ย Alpha Lipoic acid โ€“ promotes restoration of the liver, energy production
  • Proanthocyanidins โ€“ wound healing, blood circulation, strengthening of arteries
  • GPx โ€“ for respiratory function, detoxification, and slowing the effects of aging

So by just eating white rice, youโ€™re avoiding all of these beneficial ingredients.ย  Additionally youโ€™re only ingesting a little ball of sugar that wonโ€™t do much for your health.ย  The continual consumption of refined and denatured foods like white rice and white sugar eventually starve our bodies of the nutrients we need to function properly.ย  Now if youโ€™re scared of eating white rice again, thatโ€™s okay.ย  It might be that much easier now to work in the brown rice.ย  If youโ€™re convinced that brown rice tastes inferior to white, here are a few tips to help:

  1. Itโ€™s All About the Seasoning.ย  Find a seasoning you LOVE and mix it in.ย  Maybe itโ€™s a sauce, spice or herb.ย  Whichever you choose make your food taste good.
  2. Pairing. ย Pair it with foods you Love. ย Stir Fryโ€™s are the easiest way to get you there.
  3. ย Your Taste Buds WILL Change for you.ย  Substitute brown rice only a few times over white rice and you will quickly adapt to the different taste.ย  Using the first two tips above will make it that much easier.

What are some of your favorite recipes that you can use brown rice?ย ย  Post them here and share them with everyone!

Sources: โ€œHealing With Whole Foodsโ€ โ€“Paul Pitchford 2002


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