If you’re like me and trying to clean up from the winter season, add barley to your cooking repertoire. Barley can reduce blood glucose  and cholesterol levels and blood pressure.This recipe for a “Sweet Pea, Bell Pepper Spinach & Barley Salad” is filled with fresh herbs, and a low-fat dressing. Serve with grilled chicken or shrimp on the side or as a main dish salad. Be sure to store leftovers in a glass food storage container. photos by coco zordan

Barley is highest in fiber of all the whole grains, with common varieties clocking in at about 17% fiber. But the goodness of whole grains comes from more than fiber. Whole grain barley is high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals essential to health, too. However, much of the barley eaten in the U.S. is pearled or pearl barley, which is missing some or all of its bran layer. However even the pearled barley preserves lots of the benefits…(read more)   

Trivia – “Barley Controls Blood Sugar Better” : Dutch researchers used a crossover study with 10 healthy men to compare the effects of cooked barley kernels and refined wheat bread on blood sugar control. The men ate one or the other of these grains at dinner, then were given a high glycemic index breakfast (50g of glucose) the next morning for breakfast. When they had eaten the barley dinner, the men had 30% better insulin sensitivity the next morning after breakfast.