Blog

del.icio.us

When there's Big News in the Whole Grains Council, we send out a press release and post it in the press release section of this website. But every day, the momentum of whole grains moves forward in many smaller ways, which you can read about here. Come back often, and see what's new, or subscribe with our RSS feed.

Feed - Subscribe to updates on the Whole Grains Council Blog

Got comments on any of our WGC Blog items? We'd love to hear from you.

Whole Grain Sandwich Wins 8,820 to 1,048

May 26, 2011

The week before last we wrote about the Chicken Salad Taste-Off between Arby's Grilled Chicken and Pecan Salad sandwich and Subway's Orchard Chicken Salad Sandwich. We're guessing that a lot of Whole Grains Council fans voted for their favorite, 'cause the final count was Arby's 8,820 votes vs. Subway 1,048 votes. (Almost as good as the Red Sox's 14 to 1 win today.)

Ancient Grains in Boston’s Modern Lives

May 19, 2011

Sometimes food events are one-offs, and sometimes, you can’t help but wonder if the greater food world is trying to tell you something. If there are such things as Powers That Be, then they definitely have a message for food enthusiasts here in Boston – ancient grains are awesome!

Here’s how it all unfolded:

Arby’s and McDonald’s Ramp Up Whole Grains

May 13, 2011

It’s always big news when the Quick Serve (aka Fast Food) world makes a big, bold move toward more whole grains, and this week the Whole Grains Council salutes Arby’s for its new Grilled Chicken & Pecan Salad sandwiches. The sandwich comes in two forms (as shown here): in a wrap, offering 23 grams of whole grains per serving, and on bread containing 18 grams of whole grain per serving. Both of these make significant contributions to the 48 grams or more of whole grain we all need daily.

So go try one – for free! For the next week (May 13-19), you can get the sandwich free at Arby’s, by using a coupon on their Facebook page. Yes, you have to buy a 22 oz. soft drink (for about $1.50) but that’s still a pretty good incentive. (Try talking your local Arby’s into selling you a bottle of water or some milk instead – or just pay the $1.50 and skip the soda.)

Whole Grains in the Heart of Beijing

May 4, 2011

What do you think of when you think of Chinese food? White rice and Peking duck? White noodles fried in MSG? White dumplings stuffed with greasy ground pork? White steamed buns filled with nothing at all? If that’s all that comes to mind, you’re only thinking of the American interpretation of one of the world’s most varied and longest-lasting cuisines. Sadly, you probably won’t be alone in your assumptions – most of us have never had authentic Chinese cuisine that hasn’t been tweaked for the American palate. Don’t get me wrong, the Chinese love their savory fatty salty dishes, but if you can’t imagine beyond the refined grain white-out, you’re missing some of the most interesting dishes of all.

China Grapples with Whole Grain Issues

April 24, 2011

Kara and I spent last week in Beijing, participating in a Whole Grain Forum jointly organized by China’s Public Nutrition and Development Center (PNDC), the Whole Grains Council, and the Grains for Health Foundation.

Saved by the "Supergrain"

April 22, 2011

I have a bit of a confession to make - I just recently began to appreciate the greatness of quinoa. Sure, I’d eaten it before, and my colleagues always sing its praises, but I never got around to really experimenting with it. But don't worry, that dark period of my life is over now. This past month I discovered just how super this supergrain really is.

Beijing Blog #2 – Finding Whole Grains

April 21, 2011

A disclaimer at the start of this blog: I did not spend all of my time in Beijing poking into stores and looking for whole grains. I visited wonderful sights including the Summer Palace, Yonghe Temple, Zhongshan Park, the Houhai lakes area and of course the Great Wall, during our recent trip to China.

But yeah, I really do like to check up on the whole grain scene wherever I go, and I promised you more details in my first Beijing blog. Here’s what I found once I actually hit the streets.

Beijing Blog #1: What’s Up with Whole Grains?

April 15, 2011

This is the first of a few blogs we’ll be writing from Beijing, reporting on the whole grain scene here. Kara and I have arrived a few days early, to get our jetlag behind us before we participate in a Whole Grain Forum next week. In the meantime, I’m looking for clues everywhere, to learn whether whole grains have any foothold yet in China.

New Lapel Pin Supports Whole Grains

April 12, 2011

Whole grains are the new norm worldwide, and you can help move the momentum forward by purchasing our new Look For Whole Grain lapel pin, available only from Oldways and the Whole Grains Council.

This attractive lapel pin features cloisonné enamel and gold-tone metal in the familiar design of the Whole Grain Stamp. Measuring 1" tall by 3/4" wide, the pin has a secure butterfly clasp on the back, to attach to any cloth surface.

It's perfect for Registered Dietitians, doctors, or other health professionals who want to remind their clients and patients of the importance of whole grains, during office visits. It also makes a great prize when you're holding events and health fairs.

You may simply want one because you're personally big on whole grains, and want to show your support for the Whole Grains Council and its work.

Whole Grains Gaining in Quick Serve Restaurants

March 28, 2011

I really enjoy cooking and usually bring leftovers to work for lunch, so fast food isn’t really on my radar most days. Last week it was road trip time, however, as we headed from New Hampshire to New Jersey to visit family. On the turnpike, home cooking wasn’t an option, so off we headed to the food court at the nearest service plaza when our gas tank and our stomachs both hit empty at the same time.

Driving south we chose to eat at Fresh City, a New England chain with a dozen Massachusetts locations plus one each in Connecticut and New Hampshire. “Naturally raised meat, poultry and seafood… hand-picked produce, cut fresh daily… organic ingredients, wherever possible.” It’s refreshing to see the improvements in fast food options these days.

newsroom