Whole Foods Spotlight: Barley
Barley is an often overlooked member of the whole grains family. This is a shame because it contains a wealth of nutrients essential to our health. Our skin, bones, muscles, digestive system and more can benefit by adding more of this whole food into our diet and the parts of the plant can be used in many ways.
Barley grass is the seedling of the plant and the young shoots are rich in amino acids, antioxidants and chlorophyll which combats harmful toxins and detoxifies the body. Hulled barley (also known as pot or scotch) is eaten after removing the inedible outer hull. In this form it takes a long time to soak prior to cooking. Pearl barley is hulled and processed, the bran is removed and polished which lessens the cooking time but strips away so much of the nutritional value that it can no longer be considered a whole grain. There are also flakes and flours made from both hulled and pearl varieties.
Osteoporosis Prevention
The phosphorus found in barley promotes good health of bones and teeth. When it comes to calcium, this whole grain has milk beat, containing 11x greater calcium content! It also contains copper which may aid in reducing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis by helping cell regeneration. Copper also supports collagen and elastin production, making bones and joints more flexible.
Immune System Boost
It has nearly twice as much Vitamin C than oranges and helps to reduce the chances of cold and flu. It also contains a good amount of iron, helping to prevent fatigue and anemia, regulates blood volume and aids in kidney function as well.
Healthy Skin
The selenium found in barley helps preserve skin elasticity and prevent loosening. Selenium works with vitamin E in the body to protect and strengthen the cell membranes, the protective coating around cells. It also helps with healing inflammation in the skin.
Intestinal Wellness
Finally, it is a great source of fiber and acts as a fuel source or prebiotic for the beneficial bacteria in our large intestine and the byproduct of it fermenting in our system creates butyric acid, the primary fuel for intestinal cells. The grain helps to protect the colon and helps to prevent the development of gallstones.
Barley, Spinach and Mushrooms
Barley Fried Rice with Marinated Shrimp
Slow-cooker Breakfast Barley
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a box of re:iimmune®, one serving of potentially life-saving, Clinical Strength Hydration® and Intestinal Immune support formula is given to a person suffering from life threatening dehydration in a developing country. The combination of rapid hydration and multi-strain pre and probiotic blend in re:iimmune® not only helps you and your family get better, better™, but it also allows you to be a crucial part of our mission to end dehydration related deaths around the world!
ake and I were on our honeymoon in Mexico when re:iimmune saved us. We woke up early to head back to Missouri, and we both felt a little off but not sick. We didn't think much of it since we had just spent a week in Mexico, and were eating different foods than our bodies were use to. When we arrived at the Atlanta airport for our layover, we attempted to get something to eat. We couldn't stomach anything! Luckily I had two re:iimmune packets left! It was the only thing we could keep down and it completely helped soothe our stomachs. I was so worried our last plane home was going to be miserable (or that we wouldn't be able to get on the plane) but re:iimmune got us through it! Now, any time my stomach is upset or my body is just feeling down, I always drink re:iimmune!" -Bekah
forward to longer days, warmer weather, family vacations and romantic honeymoon getaways. If you're anything like me (or like our organized teacher friend, Bekah) you start making your packing list a week before it's time to hit the road. You pack and repack, second guess your apparel decisions a hundred times, and then finally settle into something comfy and set off for paradise. Through crowded airports, new environments, disrupted sleep patterns, and unfamiliar foods- your body doesn't always get the same relief you might feel on vacation. The last thing you want to happen when you're far from home is to deal with the effects of a run down immune system.