February. Sigh. In the light (or lack of it..) of the weather and time of year, the recipe this week has to focus on breakfast as the mainstay of winter healthy (h)eating! Here’s a recipe with a definite winter slant, an amazing way to start the day, especially in this wet, wild, wintry weather. Keep the cold out, keep your blood sugar and energy levels ticking along nicely until lunch, and fill yourself full of a range of nutritional heavy hitters to boost immunity, heart and circulation, brain function and digestion.
The mere aroma of this percolating through the house (and your senses) is enough bring everyone salivating to the table for a healthy breakfast. If time is tight, make up the evening before, and heat through gently, loosening with a bit more liquid.
So, no excuses, join the beautiful breakfast club for healthy body, mind and spirit. Good for weight loss too, with semi-skimmed dairy, and easy on the syrup/sugar and portion size – spices like cinnamon and ginger add flavour and sweetness in their own right, reducing the need for sugar. Cinnamon itself has been shown to regulate blood sugar release, which is essential for energy, appetite control and balanced mood. Bring on brekkie!
Winter Warming Apple Crumble Porridge
100 g organic porridge oats, plus an extra handful (gluten free if desired)
700 mls (Koko, almond milk, goat’s milk, organic cow’s milk, water, or a mixture
1 apple, diced
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
freshly grated nutmeg to taste
a handful of seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, chia, hemp etc)
a handful of chopped nuts of your choice
organic yogurt
maple syrup or coconut palm sugar to garnish, if desired.
Put the oats and liquid in a pan, and bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. As it begins to heat to simmering point, add the apple and spices, continuing to stir to prevent sticking and incorporate the liquid evenly. When thickened and gently bubbling, cook serenely for a further couple of minutes, still stirring.
While the porridge thickens, spread the nuts, seeds and extra oats on a baking sheet and toast in a 180 degree oven until just browned and crisping. You can also do this in a dry pan over a gentle heat, shaking frequently to prevent burning.
When the room smells like Christmas, and the bubbles occasionally breaking the surface of the porridge are singing to you, dish up, and serve with organic yogurt, a sprinkle of the toasted nut/seed/oat mixture, plus a drizzle of maple syrup or a teaspoon of caramel-spiked coconut palm sugar for added sweetness – not that you’ll need it with the spices and the apple! Whatever you choose, get this natural warmth into you, and enjoy :–)
Want to put the foundation of health in place in your life? Take a look at the plans, foods, starter packs and events that do just that!