And the Winner is...

Spelt!

There is a wall you reach in your daily diet once you remove animal products. The grains, legumes and vegetables that you grew up eating quickly become tiresome and boring. OH! Corn? How ever, shall I make it? Rice? How ever shall I make it? Beans? How ever shall I make them? You don't need to be pushed out of your childhood food nest because you leap to escape the monotony of it all.

Legumes were the first area I choose to explore. I quickly realized I require my legumes paired with some sort of grain. I did try making salads that included legumes. The only one that didn't offend my tongue when mixed with lettuce was the chickpea.

Rice was in heavy rotation. I swapped it out with groats. I found groats to be a wonderful and sustaining substitute. Quinoa intimidated me. I made it once but couldn't decide if I liked it or not. That bothered me because my food preferences are normally cut and dry. I like it. I don't. Ain't no half stepping...except with Quinoa.

Well, tonight was grain adventure night. I decided to try out some spelt I had in my pantry. May I just say, my curiosity about this grain was rewarded. This stuff is fan-freaking-tastic! I am a fan. Spelt stands alone.

Goggle search shows that spelt is one of the 9 original grains mentioned in the bible, was grown in the Fertile Crescent as far back as 5000 BC, is the grandfather of wheat and is nutrient and fiber rich.

There is a fabulous spelt soup simmering on my stove. I am so looking forward to having a bowl. Spelt. It's what's for dinner!