This month I am shamelessly devoting my column to the fairer sex. You would be walking around with blinkers on if you didn’t notice that March was the month of Mother’s Day and International Women’s day, a launch pad for women’s issues the world over.
Cards, flowers and chocolates are all very well but really caring for the women in your life – or looking after you – requires more than just Hallmark and Hershey’s.
Women are complex (so says the man in my life!); I choose to take it as a compliment! Hormonally we are certainly more complex and our needs for minerals such as iron and B vitamins ebb and flow with our cycle. But it is in the field of functional food and not supplements where women can make sure they get what their body requires whilst also making life simpler.
In any women’s store cupboard should be wheatgerm, a cheap health-food basic that is simply the embryo of the wheat kernel. For those that avoid wheat based products, no need to worry, the kernel contains only the good stuff and is not associated with any of the negative wheat-based problems.
Wheatgerm is one of the best sources of folic acid; a nutrient that is not just important for childbearing years but that also reduces a compound in your body called homocysteine. Lower levels of homocysteine have been linked to reducing the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis bone fractures, and dementia. It also contains powerful antioxidants that help prevent free radical damage and ageing.
The good news for those of you with kiddies is that it is pretty much undetectable even by the palates of picky eaters. Indeed, in our house, wheatgerm is welcomed as ‘sprinkles’ – an addition to smoothies, yoghurt or cereal.
For a real treat though, fill the house with the scent of freshly made guilt-free biscuits that contain a good serving of wheatgerm. Even better, boys, get your apron on and show us girls what you are made of!
Oaty Wheatgerm Biscuits
Preheat oven to 350°F
Combine ¾ cup oil, 1 cup of honey and 2 tablespoons of molasses.
Add two eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.
Add two teaspoons of vanilla essence.
Combine ¾ cup soya flour, sifted with ½ cup milk powder (skimmed for lower fat), also sifted.
Add raisins (or dates), walnuts, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 ½ cups of wheat germ and 2 cups of oatmeal or porridge oats.
Stir all wet ingredients into dry ingredients and blend well.
Drop by teaspoons onto lightly oiled baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
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Originally written for Foodies Magazine!
