Our Whole Grains: Chat ‘Em Up contest is making my heart sing with delight. People from all over the United States are writing to tell us what they’re doing to celebrate Whole Grains Month. Who knew that so many people out there feel as passionate about whole grains as those of us here at the Whole Grains Council? 

In today’s blog, we’re sharing a few of the entries we’ve received in the first week, to serve as inspiration to the rest of you out there. Think what a wonderful ripple effect can take place, as people like these do their part to spread the word!

To celebrate Whole Grains month I am hosting a baking party/ recipe swap for my friends and family.  Everyone will bring a dessert recipe that uses whole grains along with the ingredients for us to make that recipe.  Everyone will have a chance to sample all the delicious whole grain goodies and everyone will leave with treats and a special recipe book that combines everyone’s recipes!  I can’t think of a more perfect way to introduce my friends and family to the delicious goodness of whole grains! (Theresa, Cincinnati, OH)

For whole grains month, I am making a whole grain granola from Whole Oats, Wheat Germ, Flax Seeds, Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans, Coconut, Real Maple Syrup, and Butter.  Mix according to your tastes, more oats than anything.  Bake at 400 degrees, stirring once, for 15-20 minutes and wa-la, you have wholesome, homemade cereal without any awful additives.  p.s.  The photo is from clip art — but it pretty much looks like that. (Sheila, Appleton WI)

A couple of co-workers and I are taking turns preparing dishes made with whole grains. Whenever it’s our turn to prepare a dish, we take the finished product with us to work so that everyone in the office can sample it. My co-workers and I are on a mission to prove that whole grains can be both good for you and yummy to eat! (Jenny, Baytown TX)

First, I love Whole Grains and think everyone should incorporate them into their daily meal planning.  I have worked in the corporate fitness industry for the last 7 years and am now returning back to school for nursing. … Though the month has just started I have already started with a bang.  We have a monthly newsletter at work and I used the information on this website (which is when I ran into the information for the contest) to create an article about Whole Grains.  I also included one of your delicious recipes from the site. (Michelle, Bedford MA)

I eat a lot of Whole Grains, but whenever I tell my coworkers, they just think I eat boring tasting foods, so I wanted to show them how great Whole Grains can be.  I made a batch of whole grain muffins and made a recipe book for each of my coworkers that included recipes for whole grain pancakes and other delicious foods with whole grains and a list of foods that are not only delicious but have whole grains in them.  All of my coworkers loved the gift and now everytime I come into work, they want ideas for products to try with whole grains and of course some more whole grain muffins and pancakes to eat. (Stefanie, Las Vegas NV)

I teach nutrition at a local community college-I plan on having a ‘recipe contest’ for extra credit. Students will bring in their whole grain recipes and the class will vote on which one they liked the best.  (Anna, Lenexa KS)

Our health department is trying to promote good health each month by using this helpful government website.  From that website I discovered that September is “Whole Grains” month and so along with that we are promoting healthy eating habits with fruits and vegetables as well.  We have posted signs to encourage eating more whole grains and fruits and veggies (see attached photos).  We are also handing out information such as the “Quick, Easy, Whole Grain Recipes for Families” and “Cooking & Eating Whole Grains” and “5 Easy Ways to Boost Whole Grains in Children”. (Jamie, St.Joseph MO)

Check out the contest details. Everyone who sends us a story about their celebration of Whole Grains Month will receive discount coupons for whole grain foods, and at the end of the month we’ll put all of your names in a hat to randomly pick the winner of our Whole Grains Gift Basket.

So if it’s a contest, doesn’t it skew the results if we share some of the early entries with you? No, ‘cause this isn’t about competition. Maybe “contest” isn’t even the right word for what we’re doing, come to think of it. Maybe “inspiration fest” would be a better word. Our goal here is to share ideas. After all, everyone wins with more healthy whole grains in their lives. (Cindy)