The first thing that we must do, of course, to get started on “eating for health” is to lay in a supply of 100 percent foods.
The whole grains being the most important we will secure those first. Since whole wheat contains every element which the body needs and white flour contains none of them, our children are going to have whole wheat bread and whole grains for breakfast foods. But the whole grains are not easy to find. Your own locality will present its own problemsperhaps my experience in my locality may contain some suggestions. Here’s what I did :
I personally visited a miller and got twenty-five pounds of clean whole wheat grain which I divided among three of my friends. I also got ten pounds of whole corn grain, which I planned to grind into corn meal.
Then I talked with a leading grocer about brown rice. He said there was no sale for it. I told him I would guarantee the sale if he would get the rice. He made me promise to take one-half a case (30 pounds).. That was easyI knew I could divide it with others who wanted some.
Next I got a box of Scotch oatmeal, but later learned that the steel cut is just as goodonly it takes a little longer to cook. (The Scotch, however, coming in sealed cans, will keep better in the summer time. )
That gave me my supply of breakfast grains, but it didn’t completely answer the question about meals and flours.
The so-called “Whole wheat flour” which is on the market is only about 8o per cent whole wheat. This is a vast improvement, but I wanted 100 per centall of the grain. Although I inquired at all the leading retail and wholesale grocers I did not succeed in finding any. I also wanted some real corn meal and some entire buckwheat flour which I knew were not to be found. (The rye I was not so particular about.)
It became evident that if I wanted these 100 per cent meals I would have to buy the whole grains and grind them. “Some nuisance”I thought”but the kiddies are worth it.”
Accordingly I visited a hardware merchant and learned that an adequate grinder could be bought for about ten ($10.00) dollars. I left an order for one but before it had arrived a friend of mine who has plenty of money bought quite an elaborate affair with an electric motor attachment. I went to her home and ground three (10 pound) lots.
Why couldn’t an arrangement somewhat like this be worked out between you and your friends? One good grinder among a party of friendsor in a neighborhood and a high school boy for distributor. Or even one of the small grinders shared by three or four whose funds are not over-plentiful. (Inquire about the Straub Milling Machine. I am told it is a very good one.)
Later I was still more fortunate. Glancing through the liner ads of the local newspaper I ran across the following advertisement: Will deliver to you. “Price Milling Co., “08 Anthon Street.”
“Have you ever eaten genuine Southern corn-grits? I make these and sweet Southern corn meal made from the whole corn.
It was a remote district of the city, but I located it and found there a rather superior young negro who told me he had started this business because he was starving for some of the sweet white corn products he had eaten in the South. He had built up quite a nice little business (chiefly among his own people), and was making a good living. He was scrupulously clean. He was making the most wonderful corn meal I ever tasted (from the whole grain); and also whole wheat meal (100 per cent). Later this mill was taken over by a very energetic young man who is building up a remarkably good business. He delivers in any locality once a week and our troubles about 10o per cent flour are over. This is in Detroit. The incident is given as a suggestion. Couldn’t some enterprising youth be found in any community to start such a center and work up a fair trade among those who know!
Anyhow, it can be worked out. You will find the best way for your particular case. If you can’t get a center started, there is always the small grinder which is very practical and worth the money expended. (You might almost as well eat sawdust as the corn meal you have been eating.) Moreover, once you have tasted the wonderful flavor of the genuine article you would never be willing to go back to the other even if food value were not the chief consideration. And once- the routine is established the rest will be easy enough. (The Straub is a small grinder.)