Have you ever heard of teff?

I never had until I was looking at an online store for whole grains. According to it's nutritional values it serves as a good anti-inflammatory food.

It originated in Ethiopia as a foraged wild grass and was eventually cultivated by the highland Ethiopians. In the U.S., Teff crops are being grown in Idaho.

Ounce for ounce, Teff, the smallest grain in the world, supplies more fiber rich bran and nutritious germ than any other grain! It also packs a high mineral content that boasts 17 times the calcium of whole wheat or barley. It takes 150 grains of teff to weigh as much as one grain of wheat which accounts for its high nutritional value. In any grain the nutrients are concentrated in the germ and bran. With teff the germ and bran make up the bulk of the grain and because it is too small to hull, its nutrients are abundant and stay intact.

There are three varieties of Teff - white, brown and red. Each has an almost nutty flavor. The white teff is chestnut-like in taste; the darker colors are more earthy and taste like hazelnuts. Brown teff makes a rich breakfast porridge enjoyed by many.

For those of you who enjoy trying new foods, you might consider this whole grain. If you have experience with teff, please leave a comment and share your thoughts.


Thanks for checking in today. Hope you learned something new that you can share with others. May today bring wonderful blessings to you and your loved ones.

IBS Flare Hits Hard

I have been adjusting to eating more anti-inflammatory foods on a daily basis over the last few weeks. In all of my research it seems quite apparent to me that this type of eating lifestyle is helpful for my diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and liver disease. However I also suffer with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Gastroparesis and Bile Reflux and I have met with nutritionists and physicians who encourage me to eat a diet of bland foods, white bread, and limited cooked vegetables and canned fruits. All of these foods are high on the glycemic index charts.

I've tried eating both types of diets and I'm happier on the healthier choices of the anti-inflammatory foods. BUT . . . I came down with severe symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome this week. After 3 days of chronic diarrhea, nausea and unbelievable stomach pain, I finally contacted my GI specialist. I was prescribed yet another medication to calm down the intestinal inflammation. I noticed how  dehydrated I had become. My hands, skin, eyes and throat were dry and achy sore. As I was able to keep food and beverages down, I found myself gravitating towards the wheat products of "comfort foods" (soda crackers, noodle soups, toast, etc.) and 7-up. Once the symptoms subsided for a day or so, I was back to eating fresh vegetables, fruits and lean meats with little pain.

It will take more time to track the results of eating anti-inflammatory fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and Omega 3 oils. I had IBS flares with blah foods too, so if it's going to happen with either diet, I'd rather have the advantage of eating healthy foods effect my metabolic and immune system in a positive way than not.

If you have had similar experiences, I'd appreciate hearing your insights, how you have handled it and survived.

Thanks for checking in on my blog and I hope you will come back often for further information and updates. Take good care of yourself and loved ones.