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Four of the Best Grains to Keep on Hand for Cold Summer Meals

Home Care Services in Coronado CA: On a hot day, the best way to help keep a house cold is by making a cold salad. Cook batches of these four grains and tuck them into a freezer until they're needed.
red black and white quinoa
Home Care Services in Coronado CA:Grains To Keep On Hand

On a hot day, the best way to help keep a house cold is by making a cold salad. Cook batches of these four grains and tuck them into a freezer until they’re needed. Family caregivers will save a lot of time preparing nutritious meals on these hot summer days.

 

#1 – Barley

One reason barley is so popular is the low glycemic index. It’s a suitable grain for someone with diabetes who needs to stabilize carb loads. Barley is also inexpensive. You can often pick up a pound bag for less than $2 in your grocer’s dried bean section.

Toss grilled chicken, lemon juice, olive oil, roasted vegetables, and fresh parsley together with some cooked barley. That hearty salad is low in fat, high in flavor, and perfect for a hot day.

 

#3 – Farro

Farro is the grain found in three types of wheat: einkorn, emmer, and spelt. The grains are chewy and have a nutty flavor that makes them perfect for summer salads.

The grain is rich in vitamins A and E. It has iron, fiber, and protein, too. Cook the grains in an unsalted vegetable broth. Add grilled mushrooms, grilled halloumi cheese, roasted red peppers, fresh parsley, and roasted garlic cloves for a tasty Greek-influenced meal.

 

#4 – Freekeh

Freekeh is harvested durum wheat when that’s still green. The green wheat is dried in the sun, piled, and set on fire to remove the chaff and straw. The remaining grain known as freekeh or farik is then packaged whole or cut up.

A serving is rich in B vitamins, manganese, fiber, and protein. Cook it in advance and store it in the freezer for quick salads. It’s used a lot in Middle Eastern cooking and lends nicely to herbs and spice like cinnamon, cumin, and other curry-related spices.

 

#5 – Quinoa

Quinoa gained popularity when the gluten-free craze hit. This grain-like seed has no gluten and is very high in protein, fiber, and several antioxidants. One serving has 8 grams of protein.

You can use it as you would rice. Toss it with some fresh herbs, raw vegetables like bell peppers and Vidalia onion, and cooked shrimp. Add an orange vinaigrette to finish the salad with a burst of citrus.

 

Work with a senior care agency to have a caregiver available to help out with your parent’s meals, personal care, and housekeeping. You may be tempted to be your mom or dad’s only caregiver, but you can’t lose sight of your own needs. Let caregivers help out while you spend time with friends or family. Call a senior care agency to get started.

 

For more information about hiring Home Care Services in Coronado, CA, call the friendly caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare who can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, at 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.

Brittnei Salerno

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