Talk of the West

I have vivid memories of sitting at the breakfast table, staring at a bowl of oatmeal, while my mother threatened: “You have to eat your oatmeal before you leave for school.” “When I’m in charge of my life,” I remember thinking, “I will NEVER AGAIN eat breafast!” Little did I realize then how much my mother know about nutrition. The facts about the importance of eating breakfast–even after all of these years–are indisputable. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Kids who eat breakfast tend to eat healthier overall and are more likely to participate in physical activities. In the morning kids’ bodies need to refuel for the day after going without food for 8-12 hours. Skipping breakfast makes kids feel tired, restless, or irritable. And, their mood and energy can drop by midmorning if they don’t eat at least a small morning meal.

2. Breakfast can help keep kids’ weight in check. Breakfast kick starts the body’s metabolism–the process by which the body converts the fuel in food to energy. When the metabolism gets moving, the body starts burning calories. People who don’t eat breakfat often consume more calories throughout the day and are more likely to be overweight.

3. Choosing breakfast foods that are rich in whole grains, fiber and protein while low in added sugar can boost kids’ attention span, concentration, and memory, which they need to learn in school. Cream of the West whole grain prducts, we’re happy to say, fit all of these nutritional requirements. To see what I mean, check the Cream of the West products list.

While it would be great to serve 7-grain Cream of the West buttermilk flapjacks, fresh fruit and low-fat milk each morning, it’s difficult to make a healthy breakfast happen when you’re rushing to get yourself and the kids out the door. Here are some practical suggestions to ensure that–even in a rush–your kids get a good breakfast:
1. Stock your kitchen with healthy breakfast options. Hint: Cream of the West whole grain hot cereals are a nutritious, economical choice.
2. Prepare as much as you can the night before. For example, presoak Cream of the West Roasted Ranch Oats. Bring them to a boil the next morning and simmer for 4 minutes for an old-fashioned creamy oatmeal. Roasted Wheat and 7-Grain cook up in 4-5 minutes right out of the box.
3. Get everyone up 10 minutes earlier.
4. Let the kids help plan and prepare breakfast.
5. Have a grab-and-go alternative (fresh fruit, yogurt, Montana Crunch) on days when there is little or no time to eat.

What NOT to serve for breakfast is important too. READ THE NUTRITIONAL LABELS OF PRODUCTS CAREFULLY before you toss ‘too easy’ breakfast items, like toaster pastries or breakfast bars, in your shopping cart. They will not solve your problem. Many have no more nutritional value than a candy bar and are high in sugar.
Adapted from an article in Gallatin Gateway School Newspaper, February 2010.

Wow…what a busy December/January we’ve been having at Cream of the West…

Violet Noel

On a lovely Christmas morning, Assistant Plant Manager Stacy felt the pangs of labor, alerted Tom, loaded the car with daughter Karrigan in tow, and headed out for the 90 mile trip to her mid-wife in Billings. In the vicinity of mile marker 143 (not quite halfway to their destination), on the side of the road, baby Violet decided to make her entrance. With Karrigan on the phone with 911, instructing Tom how to cut the cord, a new life began! Violet’s birth certificate in fact notes Mile Marker 143 as her place of birth, and appropriately, her as yet undecided middle name became Noel. No Kidding! Welcome Violet Noel and congratulations Stacy and Tom – and sisters and brother Kareneka, Karrigan, and Kaden!

Remodel

January brings a bit of chaos to the Cream of the West facilities in the form of a slight remodel. Once finished, our newly arranged plant will allow us the necessary divisions to offer Montana organics. So stay tuned for the introduction of our new line of organic grains and flours! Plant Manager Bobby has been busy with our local contractor moving some doors and adding a wall, and he and Billy have been moving some obsolete machinery to an offsite storage facility. We’ve purchased some new equipment and look forward to our newly refurbished plant and final inspection!

Cinnamon Rolls

It’s decided to snow this morning here in the Harlowton/Two Dot area, and what better weather for fresh, homemade cinnamon rolls! I make the dough in my bread machine, let it rise in the machine for an additional half hour or so (until I’m ready), fill, roll out and slice, raise and bake, and – presto – yummy cinnamon rolls for a wintry morning! See our website for a simple sweet dough recipe.

Until next time…

I’ve recently been interested in the health benefits of honey. In the course of my research, I’ve noticed several, consistent reasons why we should incorporate more honey into our diets – besides its yummy taste! Since we have an excellent source for honey here at Cream of the West, I thought I’d share my discoveries.

1. Honey possesses large amounts of friendly bacteria, including Lactobacilli, which aids in inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria.
2. When compared to other sweeteners, honey may improve blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity.
3. Honey-based diets (versus sugar-based diets) have been shown to help reduce weight gain and body fat percentage.
4. Honey has been shown to be an effective cough suppressant in children.
5. The use of honey has been found to be an ergogenic (performance) aid in athletes.
6. Used topically, honey can be used as a wound healing agent.
7. Daily consumption of honey has been shown to raise levels of protective antioxidant compounds in humans.
8. In a series of experiments, honey reduced total cholesterol and increased HDL (good) cholesterol in healthy subjects, decreased total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol in patients with high cholesterol, and significantly lowered the rise in blood sugar in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

So find yourself a local source for honey, and start enjoying it’s healthful benefits (or order Bear Luv-Un Honey direct from Cream of the West.)

Start incorporating honey into your diet by trying some of our scrumptious recipes, like Honey-Mustard Salad Dressing!