Healthy Kitchen Plus Blog

Wrestling

2012-03-08T20:54:00.001-05:00

Nittany Lion wrestling wins second straight Big Ten Championship

I'm not surprised because I know the high standards you have at Penn State. Congratulations.
Mike

Grain Mill Purchase: Five Important Facts

2011-11-28T13:52:00.000-05:00

In two previous articles I have discussed important issues to consider when making the decision to purchase a grain mill. There are some other important things I did not cover which need to be covered. The first two articles were published in Ezine Articles: Grain Mill Reviews: How to Find a Grain Mill and Grain Mill Purchase: Three Things to Know.

This article deals with things that are also important and are facts that I believe you should know before making a decision to buy a home grain mill.

Electric or Manual Grain Mill? That is a hard one to answer. Here are some considerations. Will you be using it very often? If not, you might want to buy a manual grain mill and save some money. I know people who use it infrequently and are satisfied with a manual grain mill. If you are physically unable to use a manual, then you will want to buy an electric. Some people have an electric and a manual grain grinder as a back up. Normally, the manual system is cheaper, but not always. Some of the home manual grinders can be a bit pricey. But, to sum it up, the cheaper prices tend to be manual and the more expensive models are electric.
Ease of Cleaning. You will find that almost all of the grain grinders are easy to clean and rarely need much cleaning at all. Usually, the clean up is the dust from the flour. The only time that it becomes a real issue to clean up is if you try to grind oily or wet items. Then, it can become a real nightmare.
Noise Level: Companies usually tell you how many decibels of noise they make. I don't know one decibel from 2 so I'll give you my take on it. They all make some noise unless you muffle the sound with something that will take the noise like memory foam under the grinder or something of that nature. The loudest are not shrill, but they do make noise and over time can become annoying.
Motor Size: The amount of use is an important factor when checking the motor size. A smaller motor may work fine, even if a bit slower, if you are an infrequent user. But, if you plan to use it often, you should consider a larger motor for both speed and longevity.
Warranty: This is always important to me. I expect things I buy to last forever. I know they will not, but I still expect it to happen. What I really do not like is when something only lasts for a short period of time and the warranty has expired. I look for long warranties because I believe the item must be good or the warranty would not be so long.

Ultimately all of these factors should be considered along with others we have discussed in other articles. It is impossible for me to rate one above the other for you because you are the ultimate judge of what is important to you. These are the factors I find extremely important to me. I hope that you can use this to help you make a decision.

Be sure to check out a good grain mill comparison or grain mill review site before making a final decision. It is an extremely important part of the overall decision process.

Whatever you do, I hope you will make a decision to buy one for your good health.

Grain Mills: 3 Things to Know

2011-11-28T13:47:00.000-05:00

Purchasing a grain mill or grain grinder is one of the best purchases that you will ever make for your family. It does not take much of an imagination to remember the smell of your home filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread. Can you also remember a time when your mother baked bread and pastries and you could smell it even outside. You knew instinctively that you were in for a treat. Remember the warmth and security you felt in your home during those times. Well, you can have that same aroma and feeling more often around your home when you finally purchase a grain mill or grinder for your home.

If you have decided to purchase one or you have just begun to think about it, there are some things that you should know before making the purchase. What you learn in the homework process can make a big difference in what you ultimately decide.

One of the main concerns is what kind of grain will your mill grind and what will it not grind. The following is a list of things that most often can be milled by most grain grinders.

Hard and soft wheat
Oats
Rice
Triticale
Kamut
Spelt
Dried Beans
Corn
Popcorn
Split Peas
Buckwheat
Barley
Rye
Millet
Sorghum
Dried Mung Beans
Soybeans

This list covers most of the grains that you will ever want but there are some things that home grain mills cannot handle well and you need to know before making your purchase. For example, most home mills cannot handle an oily type nut or seed.

Here are some of them:

Any grain allowed to get damp or wet...it must be dried first
Almonds
Cashews
Flax Seed
Mustard Seeds
Peanuts
Pecans
Sesame Seeds
Sunflower Seeds

There are others, but these represent the most common.

If you try to put nuts through a grinder even if they have been dried, the nuts will become gummy and make an enormous mess.

The last major consideration is the coarseness of the grind. Grain mill are usually divided into 3 types.

Stone Grinder-They will normally grind from extremely fine to extremely coarse
Impact Grinder-They will normally grind from fine to coarse
Burr Grinder-They will normally grind from fine to coarse

What do you plan to do with you home grain mill? That is the question you will have to answer before ultimately making a decision. Do you bake a lot of cakes? Then a stone grinder may be in order although some impact grinders also make very fine flour. Will a fine grind fit your needs? Are you looking for coarse or extremely coarse grind for meal? The decisions are numerous. Once you have made the decision about what you plan to do with the grain mill, you can begin to focus.

I recommend that you find a good grain mill comparison or grain mill review site on the web before making any decisions. It is just one of the pieces of your homework, but it is a very important one. There are a few sites that you can get detailed information to make your final decision. Be sure to complete this very important part of your home work assignment.

If you buy the right home grain mill, you will always be happy that you made the decision because of the whole grain goodness you will find in every delectable bite of breads, cakes, pies and tarts that you make.

Grain Mills: How to Find A Great Grain Mill

2011-11-15T16:03:00.001-05:00

The starting point for making a decision about which grain mill to buy is to visit a good review on the web. There are not many true reviews for grain mills or grain grinders if you prefer, on the web. There are a few that have great information about them but for the most part grain mill reviews are few and far between.

If you are thinking of buying a grain grinder, it is a major expense for you and your family. The typical electric home mill can cost from about $225 to $700. There are some that are more and I don't know of any that are less. There are also hand cranked home grain mills that generally run from about $79 up to about $600. I don't profess to know all of the makes and models that are on the market, but these price ranges are generally accurate.

Price is only one element of the decision process, but I bring it up first because it lets you know that in most cases the up-front investment is not cheap. In the long run, you will save money buying and grinding your own wheat and corn, but in the beginning it can set you back.

What are the major things you should consider when looking for a Grain Mill Review on the web? The following subjects should be covered in the review and are not necessarily listed in their order of importance.

Electric or hand powered
Grains it will mill
Grains it will not mill
Hopper capacity
Flour canister capacity
Ease of cleaning
Dimensions of the grain mill
Weight
Noise level
Motor Size
Range of flour coarseness
Quality of the burr or stones
Quality of the finish
Warranty
Price

Each of these items is very important in making a decision about your purchase of a grain grinder. The emphasis you place on one item over the other will ultimately determine the most important items.

For example, someone on a limited budget will give more consideration to cost than almost anything else. After that hurdle is reached then other items will fall in place. If you are not concerned with price, then your top item may be quality of the finish. Is it a high quality wood finish? If you are concerned about size because of space limitation, then you might look at size first.

There is no firm answer what should be first because it does differ by person. Everything listed should be taken into consideration, because once you make your selection, you will own it for many years and hopefully get the great service you deserve.

When you do a search on the web, I suggest that you search under:

Grain Mill Comparisons
Grain Mill Reviews
Grain Grinder Comparisons
Grain Grinder Reviews

You will find just a few that really give you the complete lowdown. Be sure to check them out because this is where your search should begin. It may not end at this point, but at least you will be off to a great start in your purchase of a home grain mill.

At Healthy Kitchen Plus you will find a great opportunity to make a purchase that works well for you. We have a great selection of grain mills at prices you can afford. Before you make your purchase, we highly recommend that you do your homework by checking our Grain Mill Comparison Chart to be sure you are getting the grain mill that is right for you.

Is There Magic In Wheatgrass

2011-10-14T14:30:00.000-04:00

Wheatgrass is filled with the life-giving nectar of chlorophyll which has been shown to play a role in blood production, protection from radiation, and protection from cancer. Chlorophyll has never been shown to have any toxicity and absolutely no side effects. Additionally it can help in regularity, reducing cholesterol, healing wounds, and deodorization.

Chlorophyll is one of the most potent natural gifts to man on the earth. It is something that we see all around us, especially in the spring and summer. Any leafy plant that is green is packed with chlorophyll. Like anything else where there are multiple choices, some plants are more important than others.

When wheatgrass is grown in your home and juiced, you are able to get a power packed shot of chlorophyll that your body craves. By juicing the wheat grass with a home wheatgrass juicer, you are able to get to the heart of the plant's chlorophyll and take it to your system without the need of literally eating piles and piles of food. Drinking 2 to 3 ounces a day of fresh wheat grass juice two to three times a day can make a huge difference in your vitality. We were able to find and sell several affordable wheatgrass juicers at Healthy Kitchen Plus and recommend that you check them out.

Wheatgrass has other benefits in addition to the chlorophyll. It contains protein, beta-carotene, vitamins E, C, and B12, phosphorous, magnesium, calcium, iron, and potassium.

It is important to note that other green foods also offer substantial chlorophyll and vitamin filled shots of vitality like kale, spinach, and broccoli. But none of these items have the ability to be grown at home in the quantities needed at an affordable price. Wheatgrass is the economy king.

Juicing offers advantages over trying to eat all of the vegetables that would be required to give you the nutrients found in fresh juice from raw vegetables. Many of us contemplate cooking the vegetables and seasoning them, but to get all of the nutrients from the vegetables, you must eat them raw. Juicing delivers a bio available product to your system that allows the nutrients to be taken up by the body and used quickly. It might be possible to eat all of the vegetables, but it would be very difficult.

Juicing does not reduce your need to eat vegetables. People still need the fiber delivered from the vegetable itself. Remember; balance your juicing with your actual vegetable consumption.

Give wheatgrass juice a try today. In a very short period of time you will begin to enjoy the benefits of fresh, extra green, wheatgrass juice. You can find it at Healthy Kitchen Plus. Before you make your final decision, be sure to check the webs top wheatgrass juicer review/comparison chart.

Three More Days

2011-09-18T15:45:00.000-04:00

Summer will be over in 3 more days. It is hard to believe that fall is almost here. I'm looking forward to it for a lot of reasons. First, I like the cool nights, brisk mornings and moderate afternoons. Second, it is football season which I really do like, especially when I'm watching my team. Third, I sure do like to eat fall and winter foods...as my daughter calls them...Comfort Foods. They taste better than most summer foods. Full bodied and rich in flavor, I'm ready to eat.

It may sound like I eat way too much. I don't, but food always tasted better when it is colder. I suspect it probably does for everyone. My wife also bakes a lot more bread in the fall and winter, and I have to admit, I really love that.

If you don't have a home grain mill or home bread machine, I encourage to begin thinking about it. Not only do you get much more healthful foods from a home grain mill, the food just tastes better, period.

Join us at Healthy Kitchen Plus to find all of your small kitchen appliance needs.

Fall Is Coming

2011-09-07T14:06:00.000-04:00

This morning gave me the first real feel of fall. It was in the mid 50's and a little damp which made my thoughts turn to a warm house and some good hot home made whole wheat bread. I could almost taste the crunch of the crust as I took a bite of a slice covered with butter. It is that time of year!
I sure do like our home grain mill and look forward to the many great meals it will give our family this year!

Wheatgrass Juice: The High Powered Fuel

2011-09-06T11:37:00.000-04:00

Gasoline companies advertise continually about the importance of having efficiently running engines. They also make the argument that the heart of any engine depends on what you put in it. The right fuel and oil are the life of the engine. The same argument could be made for our bodies. The body can run the wrong fuel, but over time the body will begin to wear down until serious problems begin to arise.

What can be done to stop the body from deteriorating? You can start putting the right fuel in your personal fuel tank to help it perform better. Along with the right balance of food, wheatgrass juice is a mainstay for me. Why?

Wheatgrass juice has vitamins B, C, E and beta-carotene. Each of these vitamins are great eliminators of free radicals.
Because of the wheatgrass makeup it carries away toxins from cells of the lymphatic system.
It helps to clean the colon thoroughly, which is the heart of our body's engine. Without a clean and well-operating colon, all things in the body are compromised. The colon is virtually the “heart” of our health.

Our bodies were never meant to be eternal, but they can operate more efficiently and longer if properly maintained. Wheatgrass juice can help you. If you become a regular juicer, it will do wonders for your body over time. If you use this natural cleansing product, you can have a healthier and happier lifestyle.

If you are considering a lifestyle change and want to purchase a wheatgrass juicer, I recommend that the first thing you do is visit a wheatgrass juicer comparison chart on the web. There are only a few of these charts on the web. Be sure to check out the one I've listed or another one before you make a decision to buy a wheatgrass juicer.

2011-09-05T11:30:00.000-04:00

Grain Grinder Whole Wheat Recipes

Locate some of the tastiest and healthful whole wheat recipes on the web using your home grain grinder.!

2011-09-05T11:25:00.000-04:00

Grain Grinder Review / Comparison Chart

Get the lowdown on grain grinders when you check out the information in our review and comparison chart.

Whole Wheat: Is It the Same as Refined Flour?

2011-08-25T11:44:00.000-04:00

The flour in most bakery products today is highly refined. It normally tastes good because it is full of sugar and other ingredients that enhance the taste. Whole-wheat bread is in the minority on the grocery shelves. It takes up less than 2% of the bakery shelf space and frequently the only whole-wheat products you find are whole wheat bread, whole grain bread and a few specialty items.

Is there any difference between whole wheat and highly refined bakery goods? Absolutely there is a difference and it is substantial. Whole wheat contains endosperm, bran and cereal germ. Highly refined flour has only the endosperm that is the largest part of the grain but has the least nutrient value.

Most whole grains are a natural source of protein, fiber, iron, vitamin B, Omega 3 and Omega 6. White flour does not have these natural substances because the bran and germ are removed. Bakeries add back the nutrients they took away during the milling process because of the law.

At Healthy Kitchen Plus we teach you how to maximize your health by using the products that can help you achieve you healthy lifestyle goals. Our Grain Mills and Grain Grinders are the best on the market and at a price you can afford. Join us and find out how you can benefit from grain mill ownership.

Whole Wheat Bread: From Ancient Times to Today

2011-08-23T15:00:00.000-04:00

In the modern grocery store and health food stores you will find long isles of bakery products. These stores sometimes have in-store bakeries that also carry specialty breads including whole-wheat bread. If you check carefully you will not find many that are whole-wheat products. What is whole wheat? Simply put it is a product with all the natural goodness of wheat. Whole wheat contains the endosperm, bran and germ. Most bread is made from the endosperm that helps make the bread light and fluffy but it is the nutrient poor part of the wheat. Bakeries are required by law to add back the nutrients that are taken out during the milling process.

For over four thousand years man has been grinding grain. In early times people ate nothing but whole grain. Today, whole grain is in the minority, and our nation’s health shows some of the results. Of course, not all of our health concerns can be attributed to the lack of whole grain in our diets, but much of the health problems relate directly to the empty calories of highly milled grain.

The first grain mills were driven by paddle wheels that were attached to a shaft that turned a millstone. The millstone was on top of a similar sized stone that was stationary. This method worked well in areas where water ran swiftly. There were no gears which helped on maintenance, but it was also a disadvantage because there was no consistency in the speed of the mill. During the Roman Empire, grain mills began to advance in technology. Because of the advancement of vertical wheels, the Romans were able to produce 2.4 to 3.2 tons per hour. That was significant in those times even though today it would be considered very small for our population. In a 1086 census in England, it was found that there were 5624 water-powered flourmills

In the past centuries, the grain mill was a major part of many countries as well as America. Many grain mills were needed for the farmers who grew various types of wheat and corn. The grain mill in Americana was often the meeting place for farmers on the weekend as they had their grains ground to flour and meal.

The classic grain mill was designed to be driven by water with some driven by livestock and others driven with slave labor. These methods lasted until the end of the eighteenth century when Oliver Evans revolutionized the grain mills of the world. Evans invented, patented and promoted a fully automated grain mill.

Modern mills turn heavy steel or cast iron flat and serrated rollers to separate bran and germ from the endosperm. The endosperm is used to make white flour.

The modern flour mills can produce significant amounts of flour, but in the manufacturing process, the goodness of the whole-grain is frequently lost. Whole-grain products can be found in the grocery store, but it is difficult to find what you are wanting in terms of texture, flavor and cost.

WonderMill Grain Mill

We have progressed to grain grinders used in homes which can produce virtually the same and better quality flour as the modern gristmills. Modern family grain mills are easy to use, lightweight, adjustable to a special grind, can produce as much or as little as needed, and have a consistent quality. The home grain mill of today is truly an engineering marvel.

There are ways to avoid the empty calories of highly milled flour. You can buy bread and variety products at your local grocery stores and health food stores. You also have the opportunity to own a home grain mill where you are in control. When you have a home grain mill, you are assured of having the whole grain goodness you want in every bite.

Wolfgang Grain Mill

At Healthy Kitchen Plus, we help you capture that everyday wholesome goodness that you are looking for in Grain Mills & Grain Grinders that can fit your lifestyle and pocket book. Please give us a look today and find out why a home grain mill is one of the wonders of the world.

The Beginning

2011-08-22T11:08:00.000-04:00

This is our first post and we are looking forward to your becoming a regular at this site. We plan to bring many ways to help you lead a healthy lifestyle. We practice keeping ourselves healthy so that we can have a great lifestyle and will talk about how we do it.
There are so many temptations that it would be easy to do the things that are not good for our health. We will try to show you how to avoid as many temptations as possible.
We will begin a series of posts with grain mills, whole wheat, and cornmeal. We think you will be very interested and hope that you learn some things that will tempt you to begin the lifestyle you have dreamed or continue a lifestyle that has lead you to us. In either case, we welcome you to our blog.
Please view our site, Healthy Kitchen Plus to find the latest information about healthy living and some great bargains to help you live that healthy lifestyle you want!