April 1 is National Whole Grain Sampling Day.  Therefore, this week is the perfect time to try a new whole grain — ancient or new.

Actually health experts advise everyone — men and women, young and old — to make grains a part of their daily diet, and it’s important to make at least half of your grains “whole grains.”

But what is a whole grain? And why does it matter?

Whole grains include grains like wheat, corn, rice, oats, barley, quinoa, sorghum, spelt, rye — when these foods are eaten in their “whole” form. You probably already eat whole grains — popcorn in the theater, Cheerios for your toddler, or a bowl of hot oatmeal.

And, although many of us are aware fruits and vegetables contain disease-fighting phytochemicals and antioxidants, many may not realize whole grains are often an even better source of these key nutrients. Moreover, whole grains have some valuable antioxidants not found in fruits and vegetables, as well as B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, iron and fiber.

Some of the newest grains to try are Hy-Vee’s Select grain blends such as Ruby Wild Blend, Lentil Blend, Kansas Medley, Black Pearl Medley, Golden Jewel Blend, Jasmine Blend, and Sunrise Blend with Quinoa Flakes.

These blends are 100 percent whole grain, and can be found at your Austin Hy-Vee within the HealthMarket.  Also, to help get you started with these whole grains, each bag features a different recipe on the back of the package like this BBQ Chicken Salad Bowl, featuring the Ruby Wild Blend.  Or try out other recipes from www.InHarvest.com like this Ruby Wild Mandarin Bowl.

 Ruby Wild Mandarin Bowl

Serves: 4 (1½-cup servings)

All you need

•2½ cups lightly salted water or stock (chicken or vegetable)

•8 oz. Hy-Vee Select Ruby Wild Blend

•6 oz. cooked diced chicken

•1½ cups steamed, chilled broccoli florets

•1½ cups drained mandarin orange segments

•¼ cup Asian dressing (sesame ginger or a favorite dressing)

•Cashews, as needed

All you do

1. On the stovetop, bring the water or stock to a boil. Add Ruby Wild Blend. Simmer, covered, for 35 minutes. Remove from heat and chill.

2. Add the chicken, broccoli, orange segments and dressing. Mix well.

3. Garnish with cashews and serve.

Chef’s note: Add crushed red pepper for a little zip. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired.

 BBQ Chicken Salad Bowl

Serves 4

All you need

•1 (8 ounces) pkg Hy-Vee Select Ruby Wild Blend

•2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken meat

•½ cup Hy-Vee barbecue sauce

•½ cup Hy-Vee plain Greek yogurt

•½ cup Hy-Vee mayonnaise

•1 cup roughly chopped red bell pepper

•1 cup Hy-Vee frozen corn kernels, thawed

•6 cups chopped romaine lettuce

 All you do

1. Cook rice according to package directions. Drain any excess liquid and cool completely.

2. In a large bowl, place the chicken and cooled rice. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the barbeque sauce, yogurt and mayonnaise.

3. Pour the dressing over the chicken and rice, blending well. In a separate bowl, combine the bell pepper and corn and mix well.

4. To build the salad bowls, place lettuce in the bottom of each bowl. Top with chicken mixture and bell pepper mixture.

Source:  www.InHarvest.com