Earthly Eating

Rice is one of the great products produced on the earth that is good for you in everyway. The best thing about rice is it’s easy to prepare. Here are some of the most popular rice varieties and the amount of water and cook time for each. Try chicken or vegetable stock to put a twist on the original preparation of it.

• Basmati, Brown Rice: Cook 1 cup rice with 2 cups water for 50 minutes.
• Basmati, White Rice: Cook 1 cup rice with 1-1/2 cups water for 18 minutes.
• Brown, Long-Grain Rice: Cook 1 cup rice with 2 cups water for about 50 minutes.
• Brown, Short-Grain Rice: Cool 1 cup rice with 2 cups water for about 50 minutes.
• Jasmine Rice: Cook 1 cup rice with 1-1/2 cups water for about 18 minutes.
• Sushi Rice: Cook 1 cup rice with 1-1/2 cups water for 18 minutes.
• White, Long-Grain Rice: Cook 1 cup rice with 1-1/2 cups water for 18 minutes.
• Wild Rice: Cook 1 cup rice with 2 cups water for 50 minutes, then drain before serving.

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Earthly Eating Tip:

*Keeping kids, as well as yourself active is the best way to stay healthy. Doing 60 minutes of physical exercise is the best way to encourage kids to stay active. Doing exercise like aerobic type physical activity like biking, skiing, dancing, hopping, hockey, jump rope, karate, running, or even swimming can be done to help get the heart rate up. Muscle strengthening is needed for kids as well as bone strengthening too and playing tug-of-war or playing on trees, or playing on playground equipment can help build muscles and strengthen the bones as well.

Happy Eating!

• Chicken and Olive/Carrot Rice
Serves: 4

1 cup short grain brown rice
1 tbs. olive oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1-1/2 cup chicken broth
4 carrots, cit into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup black olives
1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook the rice according to how the package directs. Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and season the chicken with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken until browned and transfer to a plate to set aside.

Add the onion, garlic and salt and pepper to taste in the same skillet and cook until tender. Add the broth, carrots, olives and red pepper and cook for about 10 minutes or until the carrots are tender. Return the chicken to the skillet and cook until heated again. Stir in parsley and serve over the cooked rice.

• Lamb with Feta Relish
Serves: 4

1 cup brown rice
1-1/2 lbs. lamb, bones removed and cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 seedless cucumber, chopped
1/2 cup crumbled Feta cheese
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
2 tbs. olive oil
1 tbs. lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook the rice as the package directs and set aside.

Thread the lamb onto eight skewers and season with oregano, salt and pepper. Heat a grill on medium heat and cook turning occasionally for about 10 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine cucumber, Feta cheese, onion, dill, oil, lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste and serve along side cooked lamb.

•Shrimp with Corn Slaw
Serves: 4

1 cup brown rice
4 slices cooked bacon
1 tbs. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup dry white whine
3/4 cup heavy cream
1-1/4 lbs. large shrimp, peeled and deviened
1 package frozen corn (10-ounce)
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook the rice according to how the package directs. Heat some oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the onion and cook till soft. Add the wine and cook until reduce by half. Add cream and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in shrimp, corn and salt and pepper to taste. Stir in bacon and serve over cooked rice.
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Earthly Eating Tip

*Ayurveda could help with arthritis. To help alleviate arthritis pain, naturally, consider trying Boswellia serrata, which is an ancient Indian resin that is derived from a frankincense tree. Taking 100 mg or 250 mg of boswellia extract daily could help reduce pain and the break down of cartilage as well. Talk to your doctor or physician to learn more.

Happy Eating!

Rice is awesome and it’s a staple dish around the world. In Chinese the word “food” and the word “rice” are the same. In Japanese the word “meal” is the same as “cooked rice”. In America, white rice is very common that is can be found at any supermarket and even at any restaurant. But what about black rice?

History tells us that black rice and other dark rice’s were fed to Chinese emperors for strength in ruling. The facts about Chinese Black Rice are simple, it is higher in vitamins, minerals, as well as fiber than any other bran rice produced and grown world wide. In China it is known as “longevity rice” because of it’s high amounts of amino acids, proteins and iron.

Here are some other facts about Chinese Black Rice:

• Cultivation: Grown mostly in the paddies (waterlogged fields) in Asia. During harvesting the rice and it’s shell is collected and during the milling process the shell is removed.

• Storage: Should be stored in an air tight container for long storage times. For longer than normal times, the rice should be stored in an air tight container in a colder storage such as a refrigerator or cellar.

• Servings: This rice has a nutty flavor and goes perfect with stir-fries, salads and even some soups. You can serve it up as a side dish alone by it’s self. It has been added to desserts and some puddings. When it is cooked it takes a purple hue, which kids find fun to eat. It can be found in health food stores or Chinese food markets nation wide.
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Earthly Eating Recipe

Vegetable Casserole
Serves: 4

1 can (10 3/4 oz.( cream of mushroom soup
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 bag (16 oz.) frozen vegetable combination of broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots, thawed
1 can (2.8 oz.) can friend onions
1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese

Stir soup, sour cream, black pepper, vegetable, 2/3 cup onions and 1.4 cup cheese in a 2-quart casserole dish, then cover.

Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir.

Sprinkle remaining onions and cheese over vegetable mixture. Bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Happy Eating!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Brown rice has a lot of nutritiona value and can be a great alternative to white rice. If you know what the varieties are you can add brown rice to just about any dinner menu. It can add flavor, color and even texture to most any meal. Start your brown rice addition with any fiber-rich option. Below are some to ideas on varieties to start you out.

• Lundberg Family Farms Organic Black Japonica ($2.49): The richest. This blend of mahogany and black rices matches its dark color with a deep, musky flavor. It’s perfect for stir-fried, Asian-inspired stuffings.

• Lotus Foods Bhutanese Red Rice ($3): With its gorgeous russet hue, this Himalayan-grown rice is full and hearty yet tender and fine. Perfect for pilafs, risotto, salmon side dishes.

• Lundberg Family Farms Organic Wehani ($2.49): This mohogany rice has a subtle sweetness and an aroma not unlike that of buttered popcorn. Perfect for fruit and nut accented salads.

• Royal Blend Texmati Brown & Red ($6): Nutty and earthy, this aromatic blend boasts a satisfying chewy texture. Perfect for spicy rice pudding.

**Lynn Little wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving over at Wii Rally here at 451 Press. Happy Thanksgiving Lynn. Stop by and wish her the same by clicking here.**
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Earthly Eating Recipe:

Cranberry Bran Muffins
Serves: 12

1 1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup oat bran
1 cup soy or rice milk
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup molasses
2 eggs
1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line muffin cups with muffin papers or grease with canola oil.

In a large bowl, combine dried fruit with bran, milk, honey, oil, molasses, and eggs. Let stand 10 minutes. Meanwhile, mix dry ingredients together. Add to wet ingredients and stir just until moistened. Don’t overmix. Batter will be somewhat lumpy.

Spoon batter into muffin cups. Bake for about 20 minutes until lightly browned and knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Happy Eating!