"ancient" news and stories

Tasty, less popular grains like amaranth and quinoa are the subject of a recent Associated Press article. Apparently these grains are starting to appear more often on the average American grocery shopper's radar. And with good reason, as the AP says, amaranth and quinoa both have more iron and protein than wheat. Sales of the grains rising in big was, the AP says, citing a 25 percent increase in sales last year for the well known Bob's Red Mill brand. While these grains are probably old news to anyone who's set foot in a health food store or a Whole Foods in the last decade or two, I'm looking forward to seeing more mainstream uses for them.

New versions of history textbooks for primary and middle schools in India have been updated to omit mention of the beef-eating practices of ancient Hindus, according to The Toronto Star. Previously, many historical texts used in Indian schools made note of how cows were slaughtered and eaten for festival meals and also used as ritual offerings by people of both upper and lower classes in ancient India. These sections were omitted under pressure from Hindu activists who found the historical references insulting, the Star reported. The piece also quotes several noted historians who feel that the sections should remain in the textbooks, as there are a variety of historical documents supporting the carnivorous claims.