Brown Rice

Aug. 25 to 31 The Washington County Commission on Aging offers noon lunches to anyone 60 years and older at seven locations - Clear Spring, Smithsburg, Keedysville, Williamsport and three in Hagerstown. The agency requires that you call by 11:30 a.m. to give them a two-working-days reservation notice. A donation is asked per meal. For information, call 301-790-0275. Weekly menu o Wednesday - Baked ziti, garden salad, Texas toast, pineapple and milk. o Thursday - Pulled- turkey barbecue, brown rice, California-blend vegetables, local peach and milk.

In keeping with the theme of fresh seafood, flavorful dishes and being frugal, I thought another fresh seafood dish would be perfect. To me, another fresh seafood I simply love to use is scallops. You can buy them fresh or frozen, depending upon your location, and cook them up in a variety of different ways.  Sticking with my Mexican theme, I am presenting a dish served on top of brown rice.  You can eliminate the rice and serve the scallops as a side dish or add in fire-roasted corn and make a really nice entrée.

Paci Chiropractic held its seventh annual toy drive. Intended to benefit CASA of Hagerstown, the week-long event from Tuesday, Nov. 29, through Saturday, Dec. 3, was a success. Clients visiting the practice at 200 Northern Ave. in Hagerstown contributed more than 100 gifts, which were donated to CASA. In addition to the toy drive, staff members prepared healthy versions of holiday treats such as: dark chocolate-covered macaroons, brown rice crispy treats, ginger cupcakes and homemade granola.

Sweet 'n sour o Cost per serving is $3.15 for 6 servings and $2.37 for 8 servings using chicken. Prices are from Weis Markets at the intersection of Dual Highway and Eastern Boulevard. 1 cup brown rice 2 cups water 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 medium onion, chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped 2 tablespoons brown sugar 3 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 14-ounce can pineapple bits in natural juice 8-ounce can tomato sauce (not spaghetti sauce)

Clean eating and living is a way of life and I've found that in order for you to enjoy what you are eating, it needs to be bright, flavorful and delicious. This sandwich encompasses all those areas and isn't hard to prepare. If you want, you can substitute any protein you desire, from blackened fish, to grilled shrimp, even sliced turkey and roast beef. Be creative and go out on limb and try something new. You might surprise yourself. - Scott C. Anderson is associate food service director and chef with Shepherd University dining services in Shepherds-town, W.Va.

Dec. 30 to Jan. 5 The Washington County Commission on Aging offers noon lunches to anyone 60 years and older at eight locations - Clear Spring, Hancock, Smithsburg, Keedysville, Williamsport and three in Hagerstown. The agency requires that you call by 11:30 a.m. to give them a two-working-days reservation notice. A donation is asked per meal. For information, call 301-790-0275. Weekly menu Wednesday - Sauerkraut, roast pork, mashed potatoes, gravy, "Hoppin' John" salad, applesauce, dinner roll and milk.

A key message from the U.S Department of Agriculture's MyPyramid program ( www.mypyramid.gov ) is, "Make half your grains whole grains. " We're encouraged to get plenty of fiber, B vitamins and other nutrients by selecting whole-grain food products over ones made from refined grains. Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel - the bran, germ and endosperm and all their nutrients. Examples include: whole-wheat flour, bulgur (cracked wheat), oatmeal, whole cornmeal and brown rice.

In the nutrition world, whole grains are "hot" - the right carbs for all the right reasons. Whole grains have substantial health benefits. If you want to maintain a healthy weight and a healthy heart, you definitely need whole grains on your plate. The good news for your taste buds is that there are dozens of whole grain products to enjoy. Research has linked eating at least three ounces of whole grains per day with healthier weights, slimmer waistlines, less heart disease and lower blood pressure.

A key message from the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and ChooseMyPlate ( www.choosemyplate.gov ) is to "Build a healthy plate by making at least half your grains whole grains. " Selecting and consuming whole-grain food products will also give you plenty of fiber, B vitamins and other nutrients in your daily diet.   Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel, the bran, germ and endosperm, and all their nutrients. Examples include whole-wheat flour, bulgur (cracked wheat)

If your healthy eating plan has been on hiatus, it is time to get back on track to making healthful choices.  A motivator to eating right could be eating right with color. When you include all the colors of MyPlate ( www.choosemyplate.gov ) you are headed to enjoying healthful choices. Each colored section of Myplate represents a food group and the recommended proportion of foods from that group.  To include all of the colors of MyPlate as you march toward a healthy eating plan - follow these tips:  Fill half your plate with vegetables and fruit (represented by the colors green and red)

If eating smarter and healthier is one of your New Year's resolutions, try focusing on eating more whole grains.  Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel - the bran, germ and endosperm.  Eating whole-grain foods helps increase fiber consumption and reduction of some chronic diseases. Fiber creates a feeling of fullness with fewer calories, which can help curb your appetite. Check the Nutrition Facts label for fiber content of whole-grain foods. Good sources of fiber contain 10 to 19 percent of the Daily Value; excellent sources contain 20 percent or more.  The color of a food is not an indication that it is a whole-grain food.

Grains provide many nutrients vital for health and it is recommended that at least half of all the grains you eat be whole- grains. People who eat whole grains as part of their healthful diet have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases, such as heart disease. Consuming whole grains as part of a healthful diet also can help with weight management. Check www.choosemyplate.gov for daily minimum recommendations of whole-grain consumption based on your age and physical activity level. Any food made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley or other cereal grains are grain products.

In keeping with the theme of fresh seafood, flavorful dishes and being frugal, I thought another fresh seafood dish would be perfect. To me, another fresh seafood I simply love to use is scallops. You can buy them fresh or frozen, depending upon your location, and cook them up in a variety of different ways.  Sticking with my Mexican theme, I am presenting a dish served on top of brown rice.  You can eliminate the rice and serve the scallops as a side dish or add in fire-roasted corn and make a really nice entrée.

Paci Chiropractic held its seventh annual toy drive. Intended to benefit CASA of Hagerstown, the week-long event from Tuesday, Nov. 29, through Saturday, Dec. 3, was a success. Clients visiting the practice at 200 Northern Ave. in Hagerstown contributed more than 100 gifts, which were donated to CASA. In addition to the toy drive, staff members prepared healthy versions of holiday treats such as: dark chocolate-covered macaroons, brown rice crispy treats, ginger cupcakes and homemade granola.

There still seems to be a lot of confusion about carbohydrates. What’s good, what’s bad, what do I need, what do I leave alone?  Let me make it simple for you.  Hopefully you know that carbs are not the enemy. You just need to choose the right kinds at the right times in the right amounts specific to your individual needs. My new clients are often surprised at how simple it is: Just eat more natural carbs instead of processed (man-made) carbs. That is, anything picked from the ground or the tree is natural, such as fruits and veggies, potatoes and yams, beans, brown rice, oats, etc. And anything overly processed should be limited or avoided, such as white bread and pasta, chips and crackers, pretzels, etc. But, one of the first questions I always get from new clients goes something like this, “What about the Glycemic Index, why don’t you use it?

MyPyramid is a roadmap that can guide you toward a healthier you. It is your step-by-step guide to healthful eating and physical activity. For good health, eat a variety of foods from each food group every day.    Grains — Choose whole grain bread. Check the ingredients label for whole grain content rather than judging based on the color of the bread. Verify that whole wheat or other whole grain is the first ingredient. Also:  Try brown rice instead of white rice.

Clean eating and living is a way of life and I've found that in order for you to enjoy what you are eating, it needs to be bright, flavorful and delicious. This sandwich encompasses all those areas and isn't hard to prepare. If you want, you can substitute any protein you desire, from blackened fish, to grilled shrimp, even sliced turkey and roast beef. Be creative and go out on limb and try something new. You might surprise yourself. - Scott C. Anderson is associate food service director and chef with Shepherd University dining services in Shepherds-town, W.Va.

Aug. 25 to 31 The Washington County Commission on Aging offers noon lunches to anyone 60 years and older at seven locations - Clear Spring, Smithsburg, Keedysville, Williamsport and three in Hagerstown. The agency requires that you call by 11:30 a.m. to give them a two-working-days reservation notice. A donation is asked per meal. For information, call 301-790-0275. Weekly menu o Wednesday - Baked ziti, garden salad, Texas toast, pineapple and milk. o Thursday - Pulled- turkey barbecue, brown rice, California-blend vegetables, local peach and milk.