The other day I was sitting in my office working and I overheard 2 students chatting...Student one said, “Did you know that there are over 30 grams of carbohydrates in a banana??” Student two replied, "I just heard that tomatoes are high in carbs!!” I did everything I could not to jump out of my seat and set them straight BUT, I contained myself and decided instead to make this month's Body's Blast board be, in part, an education on the value of GOOD CARBS!! And assure you that you CAN EAT Bananas, Tomatoes & even whole grain breads!!
The truth is that we are wired to take in 50-60% of our total calories from GOOD CARBS! Fruits, Vegetables and Whole Grains. They are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants all of which help to stave off disease. They fill us up and keep us from over eating. They actually help regulate our blood sugar, lower cholesterol & high blood pressure and reduce our risk of heart disease and colon cancer. The list goes on and on...and yet social media has convinced us that the sugar in fruits and vegetables and the gluten found in breads will have a negative effect on our health and our waistlines. If you look at the scientific evidence it is quite the contrary. I have NEVER met an individual who was overweight because they ate too many tomatoes and, unless you are one of the 6% of Americans actually diagnosed with Celiacs Disease, then whole grain breads and cereals should be a staple in your diet!
So in an effort to create awareness of the health benefits of whole grains we will be offering sample of Great Harvest's breads every Saturday morning until the first of the year. Great Harvest breads are made from fresh ground flour daily. Not only does this make the bread taste better, it gives it a longer shelf life without having to add any preservatives!!
The second half of our challenge is that when you eat our bread you consider making a donation to Open Door Outreach Center...a local charity organization that services the needy right in our back yard!! It is at this time of year that we often reflect on all that we have been blessed with and perhaps decide to share our wealth with those less fortunate or simply knocked down by hard times.
So there you go and thus our challenge, now is the time to: EAT BREAD...RAISE DOUGH!!!
