Uncle Ben has always been one of my all-time favorite uncles.

When EnviroWoman was a kid, World’sBestMom made sure he was a regular guest at the family dinner table. ‘Cuz he was such a high quality refined kinda guy.

No matter what World’sBestMom was serving, it seemed only natural Uncle Ben was there. There was Spanish Ben, Shrimp Creole on Ben, Chicken Cordon Bleu with Ben, Curried Ben, Steak with Ben, and EnviroWoman’s absolute fav Fav FAV food of all time….Chicken Parmesan with Ben. (Yeah, I know, that seems a bit odd for a vegetarian to claim, but 'tis the truth)

Researchers from IRRI and the University of California´s campuses of Davis and Riverside have recently solved a rice riddle that have bewildered scientists for more than half a century. Finally, they have identified a new gene that enables rice to survive in “complete submergence.”

The discovery of the water resistant gene or will eventually lead to cultivation and development of rice varieties that can withstand flooding. Answering this age-old farming problem, Sub1A1 will help poor farmers especially in Asia, where crops are threatened yearly by the monsoon season.

Rice is not only considered staple food in Asia. It is the life-blood of the Asian culture, held to almost sacred status for saving people during times of war and famine. Asians depend heavily on rice for daily sustenance, and like a ritual, is consumed several times a day. Eating rice is a diet deeply ingrained in the Asian psyche, almost like a religion.

But the sacred food they worship may be bowing out to the signs of the times.