One of the casualties in the anti-carb gestalt is the poor, beleaguered whole grain. Having been a child of hippies, who grew up having to eat chewy breads full of seeds and twigs and rocks and maybe a small log cabin, I avoided whole-grained anything for a long time and stuck with carbs that were usually as white as the driven snow. However, I've come to appreciate dense fibery breads, chewy brown rice, and steel-cut oatmeals that stay in my gut all morning so that I'm not scrambling for a Little Debbie Nutty Bar by 9:30 a.m. With more science types declaring that whole grains are good for you, we now see that phrase on just about everything, even Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal and Wonder Bread! It doesn't seem possible, and when I check the nutritional information and see that there's less than 1 gram of fiber per serving, I laugh and laugh and laugh. Silly consumer package goods industry. They really think we're stupid or something.

Whole grain stuff is so easy to insert into your diet and even if you don't want to do it for the intangible reasons like reducing chance of diabetes or cancer, just concentrate on the fact that you'll be a much happier pooping machine! You will poop like a champ! I know that it's not a compelling reason but there it is.

Some toasted bulgur bread or a bowl of shredded wheat to start your day, a little barley soup here, a little popcorn there, and you've got your whole grain servings out of the way. To inspire you, here's a quick recipe round up to infuse a little whole-grain goodness:

Is it spring yet? No? Until then, this shrimp with bulgur wheat pilaf will make me dream of warmer temperatures.

Yeah, other than soup and beer, I have no idea what you'd make with barley, but this Tuscan barley and carrot concoction makes me want to experiment.

Love popcorn but afraid of getting popcorn lung from the butter chemical flavoring? If not, you should be. Did you know that you make microwave popcorn yourself with just some popcorn, oil and a brown paper bag? Not only is it cheaper and better for the planet, but you'll keep yourself out of an iron lung too!

Befuddled by brown rice? It IS persnickety, but Alanna has the secret to making it and it's so easy that you're going to kick yourself.

Did I really need to give you an excuse to eat pancakes or crepes? No. I didn't think so.