| The Old Testament scripture of Ezekiel 4:9 says, | | | | have not been hybridized or genetically modified by |
| "take thou also unto thee wheat and barley, and | | | | man in any way. They are often significantly higher in |
| beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put | | | | nutrients and contain a gluten that is unlike the gluten |
| them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof...." | | | | that resulted from man's attempt to play God by |
| This scripture is an actual recipe for whole grain | | | | interfering with wheat's genetic make-up. Many |
| bread that is still being made today and that has | | | | people who are allergic to modern wheat are able to |
| even been marketed under the name of "Ezekiel | | | | tolerate the truly natural grains. |
| Bread" and sold in modern grocery stores. | | | | What then are the varieties of real wheat? One |
| There are two very important questions that one | | | | variety that is believed to have been a staple in |
| could ask regarding this biblical recipe for bread. First, | | | | ancient Egypt is known as kamut (kah-moot). It is |
| why is there no mention of yeast and what grains | | | | usually sold only in health food stores or in the health |
| would God have told someone with an allergy to | | | | food section of major grocery stores. It can be used |
| wheat or intolerance of gluten to use? | | | | to make breads, pastas, pastries, pancakes, and a |
| First, although the making of bread without yeast is | | | | variety of other dishes. It is considerably lighter and |
| beyond the scope of this article, reference is made | | | | fluffier than the unnatural modern "wheat" of today. |
| to the absence of yeast in the recipe for a reason. | | | | Another ancient wheat grain that is believed to have |
| The use of what is known as modern yeast was not | | | | been extensively cultivated in Mesopotamia is known |
| viewed as necessary in ancient times during which a | | | | as "spelt". Again, it's much lighter than modern |
| good number of modern and new diseases were | | | | "wheat", is considerably richer in nutrients, and usually |
| unknown. | | | | tolerated very well by those with wheat allergies. It |
| The focus is on God's instructions to use wheat. The | | | | may be found in health food stores or sections of |
| Bible contains a wealth of information on the type of | | | | the average grocery store. |
| diet the Lord intended for man. However, it's often | | | | Other real grains include: einkorn (difficult to locate), |
| missed since, sadly, the Good Book is thought to be | | | | sorghum, millet, quinoa, and amaranth. All of these |
| cryptic instruction only on religious matters. | | | | grains have been around since antiquity and nourished |
| Most health conscious people believe they're doing | | | | the people of old including the servants of God who |
| good when they include whole modern "wheat" in | | | | often lived well past one hundred years. |
| their diet. Nevertheless, many end up disappointed | | | | It's estimated that approximately 85% of all |
| when they discover they don't tolerate it very well. | | | | prescription drugs used are taken by residents of the |
| Practically all breads and pastas sold in the United | | | | United States. That leaves the rest of the world |
| States, whether from white or whole wheat grain | | | | using the remaining 15% which could not say any |
| flour, are made from some form of modern wheat. | | | | louder that something is seriously wrong with what |
| Wheat is mentioned numerous times throughout the | | | | most Americans understand about diet. |
| Bible as a good and wholesome food and symbolizes | | | | Change in anything major is often slow and |
| things that God's word labels as good. Why then is it | | | | worrisome but not impossible. Ultimately, it is the |
| causing so many people serious health problems? The | | | | consumers who fill the pockets of those who |
| answer lies in the sad fact that modern wheat has | | | | produce tainted, altered and hybridized foods. |
| been genetically altered and is not the same | | | | Grocers and restaurant owners are now being |
| substance as the wheat of which the scriptures | | | | compelled to hear the demands of informed |
| speak. | | | | consumers who want and need to return to the |
| Archaeologists have discovered many different | | | | wholesome, life-giving foods that God gave in |
| varieties of grains that are often generically referred | | | | abundance. |
| to as "wheat". These real grains (heirloom varieties) | | | | |