What is Wheat Germ?

Wheat germ is produced by milling whole wheat kernels. In the process, the three elements of the grain are separated, the endosperm, the bran and the germ. Each of these parts can be either kept in the flour to produce whole wheat flour, or separated and sold individually.

Wheat germ provides many important nutrients and minerals like iron, zinc folic acid, healthy unsaturated fats, protein, minerals and vitamins C, E and K. As a vegetarian myself I use this in many of my meals. Since I don’t eat meat I have cut back on saturated fat but there are a few nutrients that I miss out on. In this article I’ll explain some of the benefits and uses wheat germ has.

Storage

Because it contains unsaturated fat wheat germ tends to go bad easily. (It should smell sort-of like nuts, if it doesn’t, start to worry.) The whole jar can last you up to a year as long as you keep it refrigerated.

How to use it

The cool thing about wheat germ is that you can incorporate it into any dish and most times you won’t even taste it. You can put some wheat germ in pancake batter, waffles, cookies, sprinkle it over your spaghetti and even add some into your milkshake. Personally I use wheat germ in my morning smoothies, it fills me up and gives me a little boost. Or you can make a simple wheat germ tea and gain all the benefits in a more concentrated form.

Wheat Germ can also be used for face masks, here’s one recipe I like to use every once in a while:

Wheat Germ Face Mask Recipe

Ingredients:
 
- 2 tbsp Honey
- 2 tbsp Wheatgerm

Just take a bowl and mix together your honey and wheatgerm. Store this mixture in a container where it can last you up to a week.

Application: 

-Wash your face with warm water
-Apply the mixture to your face
** (you can warm it up in your hands before application so it goes on smoother)**
-Leave the mask on for 15 to 20 minutes
-Rinse with hot water
-Apply toner and moisturizer


References:

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/natural-foods/natural-weight-loss-food-wheat-germ-ga.htm

http://www.livestrong.com/article/479317-the-properties-of-roasted-wheat-germ/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/87829-eat-wheat-germ-instead-cereal/

http://suite101.com/article/nutritional-benefits-of-wheat-germ-a96923

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/why-you-need-wheat-germ