Oats: Grown in the U.S.A. by Janice Taylor, Life & Wellness Coach, Cert. Hypnotist, Author, Columnist and 50-pound Big-Time-Loser!
History: As long ago as 7,000 B.C. – in ancient China – man was cultivating his oats (not sowing them). The ancient Greeks were the first people known to have cooked up a bowl of porridge (cereal) from oats. In 1602, a sea captain planted oats on one of the islands off the coast of Massachusetts, thus introducing oats to the Americas.
Today, nearly half of the world’s oat crop–more than 4 billion bushels a year–is grown in the United States and Canada.
Health: Oatmeal is a product made by processing oats. It is a whole grain, and its health benefits are many.
Studies conducted over the past forty years demonstrate that ingesting 3g of soluble fiber daily from oatmeal, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.
There are a number of heart healthy components at play in oatmeal, including soluble fiber, beta-glucan and antioxidants. They reduce cholesterol by reducing the ability of blood cells to stick inside the artery walls, which in effect stops plaque from forming. (When plaque forms, the diameter of the blood vessels narrow and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.)
Rolled vs. Steel: Rolled oats a.k.a. old-fashioned oatmeal are oat groats that are steamed, rolled, and flaked so that they cook quickly. They’re often cooked as a breakfast cereal, added raw to granola or muesli mixes, or used to make oatmeal cookies. Regular rolled oats take about five minutes to cook. If you’re in a hurry, try quick oats or instant oats. These have thinner flakes, so they cook faster.
Steel-cut oats a.k.a. Irish oatmeal and Scotch oatmeal are groats that have been chopped into small pieces. They’re chewier than rolled oats, and grain aficionados often prefer them for hot oatmeal cereals and muesli. (Our Lady is a big fan of steel oats as is Oprah! They have sooo much in common!)
So, yes, oatmeal for breakfast – a fabulous and smart heart healthy choice.
Exfoliate: AND – did you know that oatmeal is a very soothing grain for the skin?! Those who suffer from psoriasis and eczema appear to find some relief from itching, pain and redness, and oatmeal makes for a great exfoliate.
Exfoliates are materials with irregular textures that are used to release debris which collect on the skin’s surface. Sometimes oatmeal is mixed in with our soaps, adding texture. The grainy lather removes dirt and dead skin as it stimulates our healthy cells.
Our sweat glands and sebaceous glands rid our bodies of waste and toxins through the skin. External pollutants also get trapped on the skin’s surface. (Not a pretty thought.) So lather up, exfoliate and cleanse on a regular basis.
Spread the word, NOT the icing,
Janice
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