A few years back we became anti-white in this house. Well not white people because that would be racist as well as weird since we are, in fact, white. But white foods. White bread, white pasta and white rice were forever banished and replaced by the brown stuff. And aside from pasta which took a bit of getting used to, no one was the wiser.
Now I menu plan every week, but whether or not I have the forethought to time dinner properly is another thing. Especially considering 4-6 pm is commonly known as the time of day all children go haywire and argue, whine and cling to me until the moment the husband comes home and I can scream, “For the love of Pete, please take these kids from me.” Not that it ever happens to me or anything, but I hear that is what happens to other moms from 4-6 pm. Mine are singing like angels and knitting scarves for homeless people.
Anywho, I appreciate that Uncle Ben’s Brown Rice gives me several options for preparation depending on how on top of things I am at any given dinner time. If I am on the ball, I go with Natural Whole Grain Brown with the traditional cook time of 40 minutes. If I am really, really on the ball I can use my Aroma Rice Cooker and get it done ahead of time. Yeah, that really rarely happens, but often times the hubby is on the ball and will make up a big batch to use in stir fry throughout the week.
If I am not so on the ball I use Fast & Natural Instant Brown Rice which is ready in just 10 minutes. Or sometime if I forget about the 40 minute rice I was on the ball enough to make and I end up burning it and need brown rice in a jiffy I turn the Fast & Natural stuff as well. Not that that ever happens. Ahem. I also love Boil-In-Bag Whole Grain Brown Rice. It is super easy to just drop the bag in and a lot harder to burn.
Why should you make the switch to brown rice? It is so much more healthy than the white stuff. Just one cup meets 100% of daily grain requirement, supports a healthy heart and is loaded with iron and fiber. Not sure what to do with rice? Uncle Ben’s has a ton of great recipes. I will admit that I haven’t tried any of the recipes off the website because we just like us some stir fry over here and are desperately trying to use up our CSA goodies every week, but I am dying to try this Chicken, Apple, Walnut and Brown Rice Salad. It totally intrigues me.
Browsing around the Uncle Ben’s site I found this coupon for 75¢ off any two Uncle Ben’s Brand Rice products. So please go try some out for yourself.
I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Uncle Ben’s and received samples to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.
Come play along with Things I Love Thursday. All the guidelines are here if you are new. And don’t forget to go spread comment love to fellow participants and to use the #TILT hashtag if you tweet.
I’m so embarassed you spied on me and my children during the hours of 4-6 ’cause yeah – it’s like that.
Jen @ BigBinder´s last [type] ..Top Ten Things I Might Actually Do With My Kids This Summer
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Twitter: itscome2this
says:
I just recently tried the 60 sec/microwave brown rice from UB. Something about that seems to negate the healthy factor, but hey – at least it’s not white, right:)
mandi@itscome2this´s last [type] ..Things i love thursday
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Twitter: Adventuremomj
says:
We like the brown rice too. I just have to remember to get it started early enough.
Adventure Mom Janna´s last [type] ..Bigger and Better Homemade Bubble Wands for Pennies
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Twitter: idreamofclean
says:
I’m a huge fan of brown rice so thanks for the coupon links!
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Twitter: Fullnest
says:
I haven’t had much sucess getting my family to eat brown rice. I’ll have to give Uncle Ben’s a try.
Denise´s last [type] ..Tuesday Tag Along and Trailing Tuesdays
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I love Uncle Ben’s and especially the express packages for quick dinners. a 2-minute cooking time is pretty fab. We love the vegetable pilau- an Indian kind. Scotland has a lot of Indian flavours, so that may be a UK thing…?
Emily/Miss Mommy´s last [type] ..Things I Love Thursday: Easy Ways to Go Green {Give-Away!}
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We mostly eat bulk basmati cooked in the microwave. Our microwave does a really great job.
I did grow up eating Uncle Bens though.
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Twitter: dutchbeingme
says:
I love brown rice too… need to go get some and start experimenting more with it!
Have a great day!
Julie´s last [type] ..10 Things I Love Thursday…
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Diaper Diaries
Twitter: DiaperDiaries
Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 10:58 am
sorry the linky is down. Hopefully it will be back up soon.
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Diaper Diaries
Twitter: DiaperDiaries
Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Got a new linky up so feel free to come over and link up!!
[Reply]
Thanks for the coupon link!
Starbucks Reusable Cup and Straw
http://livingsoabundantly.blogspot.com/2010/06/starbucks-reusable-cup-and-straw.html
Abundant Living´s last [type] ..Starbucks Reusable Cup and Straw!
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Diaper Diaries
Twitter: DiaperDiaries
Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Got a new linky up so feel free to come link up!!
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Twitter: Sadiewindham
says:
Any time I make brown rice, I usually make it from scratch. Which literal takes an hour {ok, ok, 45 minutes}. And every time I think “Why am I not using minute rice?!” This post has put me over the edge – Uncle Ben’s here I come!
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Twitter: gravityofmotion
says:
We make a good number of meals with rice. Thanks for the encouragement to switch to brown rice and thank for the coupons!
Jane Anne´s last [type] ..Change (TTT 132)
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What’s up linky link…not you…
Jennifer´s last [type] ..How Long is Summer?
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Diaper Diaries
Twitter: DiaperDiaries
Reply:
June 24th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Just added a new linky so come on over and link up!!
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Twitter: christyd526
says:
Bummer about Mr. Linky! I love brown rice. I may have to look into this for nights when I need quick!
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I’ve had good luck with the SteamFresh bags of rice too. I can get them for 88 cents at Wal-Mart which is cheaper than the boxes and it cooks quicker.
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I’d love to have some of your stir fry recipes. We’ve been loving us some stir fry as well, but I’m in a rut and have been making the same one over and over. Oh, and I always serve them with either Uncle Ben’s brown rice OR Barilla whole wheat pasta. Yummy!
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