Unquestionably some of the most nourishing and most wholesome foods can be obtained from whole grains just as they are furnished by Nature, without any milling or other process. In a recent editorial in one of my magazines, I stated very clearly my opinion of the average health food and their manufacturers. Most all of these health foods are simply poor imitations of the whole grain from which they have been manufactured, and in nearly every instance when properly prepared the whole grain itself makes a superior food.

Many of these health foods are valuable and most all are far superior in every way to the many defective foods such as white bread used throughout the country. In many of these prepared foods the extreme outer covering of the grain has been removed. This contains the fiber which is valuable as a means of adding bulk to the food and as a means of assisting in digestion, assimilation and speedy evacuation. Where these parts of the grain have been removed its actual food value has not seriously depreciated. The nourishment is all there. Constipation will, however, in many cases be induced by continuing the use of such a food, because of the need of that stimulation to the peristaltic action of the bowels furnished by the fibrous element contained in the outer covering of the grain.

The principal advantage of the health foods over the entire grain lies in their ease of preparation. Many of these foods have been cooked by steam, and they can simply be placed on the stove, in milk or water, and when brought to a boil are ready to serve. In fact, some of them are so well cooked that the mere addition of boiling milk or boiling water will be sufficient to prepare them for the table.

Beware of all concentrated foods. They are harmful in nearly every instance. There must be a certain bulk to all foods in order to bring about the proper results. For instance, it is a well known fact that a horse fed on grain alone will never thrive. A certain amount of hay is necessary to give the necessary bulk to the food and to furnish that fibrous element needed to properly stimulate the bowels. A horse not fed on hay will frequently begin to eat the wood of which the stall is composed, as a substitute, thus proving conclusively the necessity for this fibrous, woody element.

Do not be deceived by the claim that many of these health foods are partly digested by some special preparation. They may be styled "pre-digested foods." In many cases this so-called process has in no way accomplished this result. Even admitting that food has been partly digested it actually has less food value because of this. About the easiest method to weaken a strong arm is to lessen the labor which is its daily habit to perform, and the same rule applies to the stomach. If this organ was supplied with partly digested foods, the necessity for the regular performance of its normal functions would disappear, and instead of becoming stronger it would necessarily grow weaker.

Natural foods, just as nature made them, and just as they were intended for man and other animals, cannot be improved upon by man.

Wheat is unquestionably the most perfect food known. It supplies in almost exact proportions the elements needed to perfectly nourish the body. I will describe the process whereby this whole grain just as it comes from the field can be so prepared as to make a very palatable and nourishing food.

Put a quantity of this wheat in a vessel and soak it over night in water. In the morning salt to taste, pour milk over it and simmer - not boil - for from three to five hours. The longer it simmers the softer it will become and the more delicious it will taste when first' placed in the mouth, though it would be well to remember that thorough chewing will bring out slowly but surely the full delicacy of its flavor even if not cooked until soft. This wheat can be eaten with butter, honey, cream or cream and sugar, though if the taste is not accustomed to "palate ticklers" of this character it will be found appetizing without any addition whatever. If it is desired to make the dish especially rich, it can be soaked in milk instead of water over night. If milk cannot be had, water can be used for boiling instead, though, of course, it will not taste so palatable.

Now the process which I have described for preparing wheat can be applied to almost any of the whole grains, such as corn, barley, rye, etc., and they will be found very palatable and very nourishing.

The variety of dishes which can be made from grains in this way is almost unlimited. For instance eggs can be poached or prepared in most any way, and served on boiled wheat or other grains, and it will be found a very palatable and nourishing dish. Grains prepared in this way can be added to a salad and will greatly increase its nourishing and appetizing qualities. It can also be served with steak and other meats. In fact, a well informed housekeeper can originate an unlimited variety of dishes in which boiled whole grains can be used to great advantage.

In case you should be caught without flour at any time, bread can be made of any one of these whole grains by the following process:

Soak the grains over night in water. In the morning salt and simmer until soft. When possible put in enough water to cook the grain to a proper degree of softness without adding more. When the water has all evaporated and the grains have become soft, remove from the stove and place a small quantity at a time in a jar, and put through the same process required in mashing potatoes. This will reduce it to a pulpy mass. Now, using gem pans, place in a hot oven and allow it to remain until baked through to a proper hardness. Serve with butter or as ordinary bread. In preparing this be careful to see that the grain has been cooked to a proper degree of softness, as otherwise it will not macerate sufficiently.

Foods of this character are not only the cheapest, but the most wholesome, the most nourishing and about the most easily digested. Furthermore, if actual nourishment is needed and if the taste has not been deadened by strong condiments or sauces, there is nothing that tastes more delicious.