If you’ve ever enjoyed barley soup you know how hearty and filing this delicious grain is, and it has quite a history. It’s one of the most ancient grains - Egyptians buried mummies with necklaces made of barley. Today it remains the world's fourth most important cereal crop after wheat, rice, and corn.

Of all the whole grains barley packs the most fiber and it’s rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Natural substances in barley have also been shown to help reduce cholesterol (even more than oats), control blood sugar, and boost immunity by feeding the friendly or “good” bacteria in your digestive tract.

It’s pear season, which in my opinion is one of the bright spots of the chilly season. Right now my local market is overflowing with pears of all shapes, colors, and sizes, and I’m happy to report they’re all amazingly good for you. This member of the rose family is a great source of dietary fiber, which is one of the reasons eating pears can prevent you from becoming pear-shaped (a higher fiber intake is tied to less belly fat)! In fact, roughly (no pun intended) 20% of the carbs in a pear come from dietary fiber – about 5-6 grams for each medium sized piece, a fifth of the recommended minimum intake.