morning delishousness

I made an incredibly yummy and very healthy breakfast the other morning that was approved by one and all, and it was so simple to make.

Amaranth Breakfast Cereal

2 cups Apple juice
1 cup Water
1 cup Amaranth seed/grain
Maple syrup or Honey
Apple slices
Grapes
Banana slices

Bring apple juice & water to a boil in a pot. Add amaranth, and cook approx 20 minutes or until most of the liquid has been absorbed. Serve in bowls with a squirt of honey or maple syrup to sweeten and fruit on top.



Amaranth is an ancient grain that has been cultivated for nearly 8,000 years. It was a very important food for the Incas and Aztecs, and today is gaining popularity in North America. I didn't know much about it at all until I spied it in the bulk food store next to my beloved quinoa and brought some home. Now that I've tried it, I'm in love, and I can't wait to plant some in the garden this spring.

Amaranth provides a complete protein and is rich in iron, magnesium, copper, phosphorus and manganese, and a good source of dietary fibre. In a word, awesome.

momma's power oatmeal

Now that the weather is cold, my son and I have been enjoying warm bowls of power oatmeal to start our days. This delicious oatmeal is my own little creation. It's very nutritious and filling, and one of my son's favourite things to eat.

Momma's Power Oatmeal

You will need:

Almond milk
Organic quick-rolled oats
Organic Quinoa
Flax seeds
Hemp seed hearts
Premium 100% Maple syrup
Cinnamon
Fresh or frozen berries (we like strawberries, blueberries, black berries and raspberries)


Directions:

Bring a ratio of half water, half almond milk to a boil on the stove. How much you use will depend on how many people you are feeding with your oatmeal. I always just eyeball it and have never bothered measuring.

In a coffee grinder, grind several spoonfuls of quinoa to a fine powder. Stir the powder into your boiling water & almond milk.

After a minute or two, add your oats. Stir frequently.

In the coffee grinder, grind a spoonful or two of flax seeds to a meal. (Flax seed is best when freshly ground - it loses it's nutritional value the longer it sits after being ground.) Add the ground flax seed to the oatmeal. Again, how much you will use depends on how much oatmeal you want to make.

Add hemp seed hearts. Stir well.

Add as much or as little maple syrup and cinnamon as you would like. My son enjoys lots of each.

Add your fresh or frozen berries to the mix. We tend to use frozen berries, because they are cheaper and they keep for as long as they are in the freezer. I toss a few handfuls into the oatmeal, cook until completely thawed & nice and hot, and enjoy!

There you have it - Momma's power oatmeal! This is a favourite in our house when the weather is frosty cold.