Starchitects: When Vegetables Rise to Grain Fame

LJ rounded the corner of Songbird Lane, sweat glistening on his forehead as he cranked his jogging pace into overdrive. He was determined to finish his morning run with a bang. The weather was on his side, with a light breeze and a hint of chill in the air, courtesy of last night’s rain. It was the perfect recipe for an invigorating run.

As he reached the front door of his home, the triumphant notes of “Gonna Fly Now” blared in his headphones. LJ paused, unable to resist the temptation of a victory dance. He channeled his inner Rocky Balboa, throwing punches and shuffling his feet in sync with the music.

Annie opened the door; her eyebrow arched in amusement. “Listening to one of your favs again?”

LJ grinned. “Hey, when the Rocky song plays, it’s like an instant adrenaline shot, making me feel like I can conquer anything — including running like a man half my age.”

Annie smiled, stepping aside to let him enter. “Well, you’re still the greatest in my book. Come inside before your victory dance becomes a full-on performance for the neighbors.”

LJ followed her down the hallway to the kitchen, wrapping his arm around her waist and twirling her around as they entered the room. “I feel like dancing.”

Annie laughed and twirled into his arms. “Speaking of dances, have you noticed the dance we perform daily with food to keep meals interesting, nutritious, and delicious without breaking the bank?’

“You mean like today’s tasty breakfast, a garlic and spinach omelet with tomatoes and avocado on the side? You always find a way to include veggies in our meals. That is what I call a beautiful dance between delicious and nutritious.”

“Thanks for noticing, sweetheart. Veggies are like the unsung heroes of the food world. Did you know that while they are not typically used as grains, some veggies can shapeshift?”

“Now you have my attention. Shapeshift to what, how, why?”

Packed with nutrients, vegetables work their magic once they transform into grains, becoming superheroes for gut health. Their fiber-packed goodness adds volume to your stool, keeping things moving smoothly and ensuring regularity. These veggie-derived grains become…