Whole grain - triggering the transition to balance

I have counseled many people in how to bring balance to their lives and many of them have had difficulty in achieving this balanced state.  In looking at what might be challenging them the most, it seems that they are not able to consume enough whole grain to trigger the transition process.

The body that is unbalanced tends to be holding large amounts of excess from consuming extreme yin and yang substances.  When you decide to move toward balance, the easiest way is to start consuming whole grain.  You substitute less refined foods for refined foods.  It may be necessary to flavor whole grains by combining them with other foods, sauces, soups, etc.

The Indian people have many ways of combining rice, for instance, with beans and lentils and vegetables to make tasty dishes.  All recipies that call for white rice will work with whole grain brown rice just as well.

I have found that whole grain brown rice combines well with just about anything.  I have even mixed it with ice cream for kids who might not be used to the taste.  I also will often put a cup of cooked whole grain millet or rice in a smoothy with fruit and vegetables.  This makes the smoothy very rich and smooth.  Yummy.

Another way I incorporate whole grain is to sneak it in to items like whole grain pancakes where I will add some cooked brown rice or some uncooked rolled oats to the whole wheat batter.  You can also make pie crusts and other products using rolled oats and millet that has been made into flour in the blender.

Foods in the center of the yin yang spectrum will not produce the "kick" that your tastebuds have become used to from unbalancing foods.  MSG in many forms and high sodium content produce processed foods that give you a kick that is addicting.  I can remember even putting brown rice on pizza when I was first starting out.  It tasted great and I knew that I was getting my whole grain.

After some time the grain began to balance me and I started to be able to taste more subtle flavors in vegetables, fruits and other foods.

So, it is important to be creative when adding whole grains to your diet.  I don't think you can successfully balance without them.  And remember, variety is yin.  So make sure you eat a variety of whole grains including thick rolled oats, millet, brown rice, barley, buckwheat, corn, amaranth, and quinoa.  If you are going gluten free, there are still lots of choices so don't let that deter you.

Also remember that you are working for the long term.  It may take three months or so before you notice substantial changes in the way that you feel.

Thanks for reading.

Steve