(Family Features) Eating healthy is a priority for many Americans but knowing where to start and with what foods may be a little trickier. One way to level up the nutritional value of your meals is to better understand whole grains and why they are important for a heart-healthy diet.
As a key feature of heart-healthy diets, whole grains like sorghum, oatmeal and brown rice are rich sources of dietary fiber, may improve blood cholesterol levels and provide nutrients that help the body form new cells, regulate the thyroid and maintain a healthy immune system.
However, according to a survey by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Heart Association, U.S. adults are least knowledgeable about refined vs. whole grains compared to other foods like fruits, vegetables and proteins. Also, when asked to identify whole grains and refined grains, most adults incorrectly believe multi-grain bread is a whole grain and only 17% believe sorghum is an example of a whole grain when it is, in fact, a nutritious whole-grain option.
If you’re looking to try more whole grains, sorghum is a primary ingredient in these heart-healthy recipes for Pancakes with Blueberry Vanilla Sauce, Raspberry Streusel Muffins and Garden Vegetable Stir-Fried Sorghum. These flavorful dishes can be part of an overall healthy diet as recommended by the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good initiative, supported by the Sorghum Checkoff.
Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association and Sorghum Checkoff Servings: 12 (1 muffin per serving)
Muffins:
Nonstick cooking spray
1 1/2 cups whole grain sorghum flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3 large egg whites
1/4 cup canola or corn oil
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed if frozen
Streusel:
2 tablespoons whole grain sorghum flour
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons uncooked quick-cooking rolled oats
2 tablespoons chopped pecans
2 tablespoons light tub margarine
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
To make muffins: Preheat oven to 400 F. Lightly spray 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In large bowl, stir sorghum flour, cinnamon and baking soda.
In medium bowl, whisk buttermilk, brown sugar, egg whites, oil, lemon zest and vanilla. Stir into flour mixture until batter is just moistened and no flour is visible without overmixing. Spoon batter into muffin cups. Top each muffin with raspberries.
To make streusel: In small bowl, stir sorghum flour, brown sugar, oats, pecans, margarine and cinnamon to reach texture of coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over muffins, gently pushing into batter. Bake 16 minutes, or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. The USDA recommends cooking egg dishes to 160 F.
Transfer pan to cooling rack. Let stand 5 minutes. Carefully transfer muffins to rack. Let cool completely, about 20 minutes.
Garden Vegetable Stir-Fried Sorghum
Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association and Sorghum Checkoff Servings: 4 (1 1/2 cups per serving)
1 cup uncooked whole-grain sorghum
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon gingerroot, peeled and minced
1 cup fresh or frozen broccoli florets, chopped, thawed if frozen
1 cup snow peas, trimmed and halved
1/2 cup carrot strips, sliced into matchsticks
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup button mushrooms, thinly sliced
1/2 cup frozen shelled edamame, thawed
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, divided
1/2 cup water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup green onions, diagonally sliced
Prepare sorghum using package directions, omitting salt. Once cooked, spread sorghum in even layer on rimmed baking sheet or 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking dish. Let stand 5-10 minutes at room temperature. Refrigerate, uncovered, 20 minutes, or until cool.
In large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat oil, swirling to coat bottom. Cook garlic and gingerroot 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook broccoli, snow peas, carrots, bell pepper, mushrooms and edamame 10-12 minutes, or until vegetables are tender-crisp, stirring frequently.
In small bowl, using fork, beat eggs and 1 tablespoon soy sauce.
Reduce heat to medium. Stir water chestnuts and sorghum into vegetable mixture. Push mixture to sides of skillet. Pour egg mixture into center of skillet. Using heatproof rubber scraper, stir 1-2 minutes, or until partially set.
Stir vegetable mixture into partially cooked egg mixture. Cook 1 minute, or until eggs are cooked through and sorghum is heated through, stirring constantly. The USDA recommends cooking egg dishes to 160 F.
Remove from heat. Stir in remaining soy sauce. Sprinkle with green onions.
Pancakes with Blueberry Vanilla Sauce
Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association and Sorghum Checkoff Servings: 4 (2 pancakes, 1/4 cup sauce and 2 tablespoons yogurt per serving)
Sauce:
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/3 cup water
1 cup blueberries
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pancakes:
1/2 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup whole grain sorghum flour
1 1/2 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup fat-free milk
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 large egg
1 tablespoon canola or corn oil
Topping:
1/2 cup fat-free plain Greek yogurt
To make sauce: Put cornstarch in medium saucepan. Add water, stirring to dissolve. Stir in blueberries and sugar. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Boil 1-2 minutes, or until sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Cover to keep warm. Set aside.
To make pancakes: In medium bowl, stir oats, sorghum flour, brown sugar, baking powder and cinnamon.
In small bowl, whisk milk, applesauce, egg and oil. Stir into flour mixture until batter is just moistened and no flour is visible without overmixing.
Heat nonstick griddle over medium heat. Test temperature by sprinkling drops of water on griddle. Griddle is ready when water evaporates quickly.
Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake on griddle. Cook 2-3 minutes, or until tiny bubbles appear on surface and bottoms are golden brown. Flip pancakes. Cook 1-2 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown on bottoms. The USDA recommends cooking egg dishes to 160 F.
Transfer pancakes to plates. Spoon sauce over pancakes. Top each serving with 2 tablespoons yogurt.
Chef Swap at the Beach Christmas Special Hits Cooking Channel Dec. 20 — and You Can Taste It in Myrtle Beach
Chef Swap at the Beach returns with a Christmas Special on Dec. 20 on Cooking Channel. Plus, Myrtle Beach’s new Chef Swap Chef’s Table Pass lets visitors dine at featured restaurants across the Grand Strand.
A “Chef Swap at The Beach” Christmas Special will air December 20 on the Cooking Channel. The cast includes L-R: Jamie Daskalis, Jason Trinh, Johanna Wilson Jones, Mason Zeglen, Dylan Foster, Jess Sagun, Gabriel Hernandez. The holiday-themed episode was filmed at the International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach. In addition, the new Chef Swap Chef’s Table Pass dining trail allows fans to engage with the featured restaurants and chefs when in Myrtle Beach. Credit: Visit Myrtle Beach
Chef Swap at the Beach Christmas Special Hits Cooking Channel Dec. 20 — and You Can Taste It in Myrtle Beach
If you’ve ever watched a cooking competition and thought, I need to eat that, Myrtle Beach is making it easy to turn screen-time cravings into real-life reservations. On Dec. 20, the Cooking Channel will air a festive new episode of “Chef Swap at The Beach” — a Christmas Special that brings back familiar chefs from past seasons for a holiday-themed cooking competition. And for anyone planning a trip (or looking for a reason to), the show’s newest extension makes the experience even more tangible: the Chef Swap Chef’s Table Pass, a free digital dining trail that connects fans directly to the restaurants featured across the series.
A holiday episode built on community (and a little friendly pressure)
The Christmas Special follows the established “Chef Swap” format: chefs step outside their own kitchens and comfort zones, then race to create themed dishes under tight time constraints. The twist is the season. Filmed at the International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach, the special leans into holiday energy with seasonal elements and a charitable component — while still spotlighting what the series does best: collaboration, creativity, and the relationships that make the Myrtle Beach food scene feel like a community. As Stuart Butler, President of Visit Myrtle Beach, put it, the series has become “a meaningful way to showcase the talent of the Myrtle Beach area’s culinary community to a national audience,” reflecting “the relationships and sense of community that exist across the Grand Strand.”
Why the International Culinary Institute matters
The setting isn’t just a backdrop. The International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach plays a real role in the region’s dining identity — serving as a training ground for aspiring chefs and hospitality pros, and helping feed the local restaurant ecosystem with new talent. In other words: Myrtle Beach’s culinary growth isn’t accidental. It’s being built, taught, and refined — and this special gives viewers a look at that foundation.
The Chef Swap Chef’s Table Pass: from TV episode to dining itinerary
Here’s the part that makes this more than a one-night watch. Restaurants featured throughout multiple seasons of “Chef Swap at The Beach” are now included in the Chef Swap Chef’s Table Pass, a self-guided dining trail that visitors can use while exploring the Grand Strand. When you sign up for the free digital pass, you unlock a mobile “passport” to participating restaurants, including:
Special offers
Insights into the show’s signature dishes
A curated way to experience restaurants from every season, year-round
It’s a smart move for food lovers who want structure without feeling boxed in — and a fun way to build a Myrtle Beach trip around meals you’ll actually remember. For details on the pass and participating restaurants, visit ChefSwap.com.
Myrtle Beach: more than 60 miles of oceanfront
Yes, Myrtle Beach has 60 miles of beautiful oceanfront — but the story Visit Myrtle Beach is telling here is bigger than sand and surf. Known as the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach is made up of 14 unique communities along South Carolina’s northeast coast. Visitors come for the classic vacation staples — entertainment, family attractions, shopping, and world-class golf — but increasingly, they’re also coming hungry. Fresh coastal Carolina cuisine isn’t a side note anymore. It’s part of the main event.
Mark your calendar (and maybe your restaurant list)
If you’re looking for a holiday watch that’s equal parts competition and community, set a reminder for Dec. 20 on the Cooking Channel. And if you want to take it one step further, the Chef Swap Chef’s Table Pass gives you a ready-made reason to plan a winter escape — one plate at a time. Learn more about Myrtle Beach tourism:visitmyrtlebeach.comExplore the Chef’s Table Pass:ChefSwap.com
How Pecans Became a Holiday Staple: 8,000 Years of American Pecan History
Pecan History? Discover the 8,000-year history of pecans—America’s only native major nut crop. Learn how pecans evolved from wild, overlooked trees to a beloved holiday staple found in pies, pralines, and more.
How Pecans Became a Holiday Staple: 8,000 Years of American Pecan History
Shelley Mitchell, Oklahoma State University Pecans have a storied history in the United States. Today, American trees produce hundreds of million of pounds of pecans – 80% of the world’s pecan crop. Most of that crop stays here. Pecans are used to produce pecan milk, butter and oil, but many of the nuts end up in pecan pies. Throughout history, pecans have been overlooked, poached, cultivated and improved. As they have spread throughout the United States, they have been eaten raw and in recipes. Pecans have grown more popular over the decades, and you will probably encounter them in some form this holiday season. I’m an extension specialist in Oklahoma, a state consistently ranked fifth in pecan production, behind Georgia, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. I’ll admit that I am not a fan of the taste of pecans, which leaves more for the squirrels, crows and enthusiastic pecan lovers.
The spread of pecans
The pecan is a nut related to the hickory. Actually, though we call them nuts, pecans are actually a type of fruit called a drupe. Drupes have pits, like the peach and cherry.Three pecan fruits, which ripen and split open to release pecan nuts, clustered on a pecan tree.IAISI/Moment via Getty Images The pecan nuts that look like little brown footballs are actually the seed that starts inside the pecan fruit – until the fruit ripens and splits open to release the pecan. They are usually the size of your thumb, and you may need a nutcracker to open them. You can eat them raw or as part of a cooked dish. The pecan derives its name from the Algonquin “pakani,” which means “a nut too hard to crack by hand.” Rich in fat and easy to transport, pecans traveled with Native Americans throughout what is now the southern United States. They were used for food, medicine and trade as early as 8,000 years ago.Pecans are native to the southern United States.Elbert L. Little Jr. of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Pecans are native to the southern United States, and while they had previously spread along travel and trade routes, the first documented purposeful planting of a pecan tree was in New York in 1722. Three years later, George Washington’s estate, Mount Vernon, had some planted pecans. Washington loved pecans, and Revolutionary War soldiers said he was constantly eating them. Meanwhile, no one needed to plant pecans in the South, since they naturally grew along riverbanks and in groves. Pecan trees are alternate bearing: They will have a very large crop one year, followed by one or two very small crops. But because they naturally produced a harvest with no input from farmers, people did not need to actively cultivate them. Locals would harvest nuts for themselves but otherwise ignored the self-sufficient trees. It wasn’t until the late 1800s that people in the pecan’s native range realized the pecan’s potential worth for income and trade. Harvesting pecans became competitive, and young boys would climb onto precarious tree branches. One girl was lifted by a hot air balloon so she could beat on the upper branches of trees and let them fall to collectors below. Pecan poaching was a problem in natural groves on private property.
Pecan cultivation begins
Even with so obvious a demand, cultivated orchards in the South were still rare into the 1900s. Pecan trees don’t produce nuts for several years after planting, so their future quality is unknown.An orchard of pecan trees.Jon Frederick/iStock via Getty Images To guarantee quality nuts, farmers began using a technique called grafting; they’d join branches from quality trees to another pecan tree’s trunk. The first attempt at grafting pecans was in 1822, but the attempts weren’t very successful. Grafting pecans became popular after an enslaved man named Antoine who lived on a Louisiana plantation successfully produced large pecans with tender shells by grafting, around 1846. His pecans became the first widely available improved pecan variety.Grafting is a technique that involves connecting the branch of one tree to the trunk of another.Orest Lyzhechka/iStock via Getty Images The variety was named Centennial because it was introduced to the public 30 years later at the Philadelphia Centennial Expedition in 1876, alongside the telephone, Heinz ketchup and the right arm of the Statue of Liberty. This technique also sped up the production process. To keep pecan quality up and produce consistent annual harvests, today’s pecan growers shake the trees while the nuts are still growing, until about half of the pecans fall off. This reduces the number of nuts so that the tree can put more energy into fewer pecans, which leads to better quality. Shaking also evens out the yield, so that the alternate-bearing characteristic doesn’t create a boom-bust cycle.
US pecan consumption
The French brought praline dessert with them when they immigrated to Louisiana in the early 1700s. A praline is a flat, creamy candy made with nuts, sugar, butter and cream. Their original recipe used almonds, but at the time, the only nut available in America was the pecan, so pecan pralines were born.Pralines were originally a French dessert, but Americans began making them with pecans.Jupiterimages/The Image Bank via Getty Images During the Civil War and world wars, Americans consumed pecans in large quantities because they were a protein-packed alternative when meat was expensive and scarce. One cup of pecan halves has about 9 grams of protein. After the wars, pecan demand declined, resulting in millions of excess pounds at harvest. One effort to increase demand was a national pecan recipe contest in 1924. Over 21,000 submissions came from over 5,000 cooks, with 800 of them published in a book. Pecan consumption went up with the inclusion of pecans in commercially prepared foods and the start of the mail-order industry in the 1870s, as pecans can be shipped and stored at room temperature. That characteristic also put them on some Apollo missions. Small amounts of pecans contain many vitamins and minerals. They became commonplace in cereals, which touted their health benefits. In 1938, the federal government published the pamphlet Nuts and How to Use Them, which touted pecans’ nutritional value and came with recipes. Food writers suggested using pecans as shortening because they are composed mostly of fat. The government even put a price ceiling on pecans to encourage consumption, but consumers weren’t buying them. The government ended up buying the surplus pecans and integrating them into the National School Lunch Program.Today, pecan producers use machines called tree shakers to shake pecans out of the trees.Christine_Kohler/iStock via Getty Images While you are sitting around the Thanksgiving table this year, you can discuss one of the biggest controversies in the pecan industry: Are they PEE-cans or puh-KAHNS? Editor’s note: This article was updated to include the amount of protein in a cup of pecans.Shelley Mitchell, Senior Extension Specialist in Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Oklahoma State University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Unwrap the Holidays: Whataburger Launches 12 Days of Whatacheer With Daily App Deals
Celebrate the holidays with Whataburger’s 12 Days of Whatacheer! Discover daily in-app deals, exclusive to Rewards members, from December 12–23. Unwrap new menu favorites, BOGO offers, and festive savings—only on the Whataburger App.
As the holiday lights go up and the year winds down, Whataburger is serving up more than just its signature burgers—it’s delivering a sleigh-full of savings and cheer to its loyal fans. For Rewards members, the season just got a whole lot tastier.
12 Days of Whatacheer: Festive Deals for Rewards Members
From December 12 through December 23, Whataburger is rolling out a new holiday tradition: the 12 Days of Whatacheer. Each day, Rewards members can unlock a fresh, exclusive deal in the Whataburger App—think crave-worthy classics, “buy one, get one” surprises, and complimentary add-ons that make every meal feel like a celebration.
Whether you’re craving a hot Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit to start your morning, a classic Whataburger for lunch, or a sweet Strawberry Shake to cap off your evening, there’s a daily treat waiting to be unwrapped. Just sign in to your Rewards account, check the app, and claim your deal to add a little extra joy to your holiday routine.
How It Works
Who: Whataburger Rewards members (sign up in the app if you’re not already!)
When: December 12–23, with a new offer every day
How: Open the Whataburger App, claim the day’s deal, and enjoy with your next order
A new reward pops up each morning—so there’s always a reason to check in, tap, and treat yourself. According to Scott Hudler, Whataburger’s Chief Marketing Officer, “12 Days of Whatacheer is Whataburger’s way of celebrating the season with a bit of holiday magic and special savings just for our Rewards members.”
Holiday-themed graphic reading ‘12 Days of WhataCheer’ on a red background with white dots. Below the text are images of Whataburger menu items: a Cinnamon Roll, Onion Rings, a Whataburger, a Whatafresher, a Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit, and a Strawberry Shake.
Why Join the Whataburger Rewards Fun?
It’s not just about the deals (though those are pretty great). It’s about celebrating the season with a brand that’s been a community favorite for 76 years. With over 1,100 locations across 17 states, Whataburger’s family members serve up more than just food—they deliver hospitality and hometown spirit.
Plus, the Whataburger App makes it easy to order, customize, and save—right from your phone. If you haven’t joined the Rewards program yet, now’s the perfect time to start.
Get Started
Ready to add some Whatacheer to your holiday countdown? Download the Whataburger App on iOS or Android, create your Rewards account, and get set to unwrap a new deal every day. For more details, visit Whataburger.com.
Wishing you a season of flavor, fun, and festive deals—see you in the drive-thru!
