That's Fit

Each week, we'll be offering original recipes and unique ways to use those Super Foods that pack nutritional power. After all, you are what you eat -- make it count!

Should we or shouldn't we eat grains? The jury is still way out on this one. Some experts say that lots of whole grains, but not whole-grain flour, are good for us, as they are a good source of fiber and other nutrients. Others say we should almost never eat grains, no matter how whole they are. Still others recommend small amounts of grains, but only if the are soaked or sprouted, then cooked in a certain way.

So what are we to do? Well, according to Dr. Perricone of Oprah! fame, we should eat more buckwheat.
Did you know that buckwheat isn't even a grain? It is actually a seed, and it is in no way related to wheat. In fact, it is gluten-free, which makes it another great choice for the growing number of people effected negatively by gluten.

But even more importantly, buckwheat is a nutritional powerhouse. It's got more vitamins and minerals than whole grains, the right kind of fat (like olive oil), and has a positive effect on cholesterol and blood pressure. It even helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent gallstones.

Now comes the familiar question of the You Are What You Eat feature: How, oh how, do I get more buckwheat into my diet?

• Mix roasted buckwheat groats (kasha) into yogurt.
• When baking, substitute a portion of the flour with buckwheat.
• Add cooked buckwheat to soups and stews for heartier flavor and texture.
• Cook up buckwheat groats as a hot breakfast cereal.

Buckwheat and pancakes go together like rings and diamonds, so why not give our favorite Buckwheat Pancake recipe a try. We make them just as the recipe says, but with a few alterations: sprouted spelt flour replaces the flour; we use half buckwheat and half spelt, not the recipe's ratio; we add 2 heaping cups of wild blueberries; we use rice milk instead of buttermilk.

Need more recipes? Try Birkett Mills; from Buckwheat Tabbouli to Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Sauce, they've got an amazing variety of easy to prepare buckwheat recipes. Oh, and don't miss the Deluxe Almond Buckwheat Cake . . .

We have loved our buckwheat adventures, and it is a staple in our diets because of the nutritional value, and also because we are trying to cut back on grains. How do you use buckwheat?