Did you know???

Whole-grain diets help you feel satisfied longer than diets that do not include whole grains?

Why?

I always believed it was because of the huge amount of protein in whole grains...but the answer actually involves more than just protein. It is also because whole grain diets are high in fiber and complex carbohydrates.

Fiber stays in your stomach longer than other foods and helps slow down digestion. However, the amazing thing about fiber is that it helps us feel full quicker and longer than other foods, but passes right through your body. This is why high-fiber foods help weight-loss!!!

Complex carbohydrates are important because they take a long time for our bodies to break down, which means, once again, that you will feel fuller for a longer period of time.

The Mayo clinic actually recommends whole grains as one of the four best healthy snack options because of the energy they provide, the fiber, and the complex carbohydrates. Pretty cool, huh!!! I always thought it was the protein that helped with whole grain foods...turns out, there is a lot more to it!!!

Oh...FYI...I made a wonderful Fresh from the Garden Pizza last night for dinner. It is vegetarian and fabulous! Everyone thought it was so good! So, if you have extra zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers, etc., hang on to them for a great garden fresh recipe!!! Also, Costco has some of the most fabulous cheese ever...it is called Dubliner cheese...it is sharp, but has a very nice sharpness to it. It is fabulous and it is wonderful mixed with other cheeses on this pizza. I'll probably be giving out the recipe for the toppings, but not the dough because it is in my cookbook and there has to be some advantage to having the cookbook!!! So stay tuned!!!