I'm not usually a fan of eating solids for breakfast, for me a smoothie or juice is a perfect start. Sometimes though I get a hankering for something different so I decided to make oatmeal. Raw oatmeal is super easy to make, but it's important to soak them beforehand. Here's an extract from Nourishing Traditions which explains the reason why oats should be soaked -
All grains contain phytic acid (an organic acid in which phosphorous is bound) in the outer layer or bran. Untreated phytic acid can combine with calcium, magnesium, copper, iron especially zinc in the intestinal track and block their absorption. This is why a diet high in unfermented whole grains may lead to serious mineral deficiencies and bone loss. The modern misguided practice of consuming large amounts of unprocessed bran often improves colon transit time at first but may lead to irritable bowel syndrome and, in the long-term, many other adverse effects. Soaking allows enzyme, lactobacilli and other helpful organisms to break down and neutralize phytic acid. As little as seven hours of soaking in warm acidulated water will neutralize a large portion of phytic acid in grains. The simple practice of soaking cracked or rolled cereal grains overnight will vastly improve their nutritional benefits.
All grains contain phytic acid (an organic acid in which phosphorous is bound) in the outer layer or bran. Untreated phytic acid can combine with calcium, magnesium, copper, iron especially zinc in the intestinal track and block their absorption. This is why a diet high in unfermented whole grains may lead to serious mineral deficiencies and bone loss. The modern misguided practice of consuming large amounts of unprocessed bran often improves colon transit time at first but may lead to irritable bowel syndrome and, in the long-term, many other adverse effects. Soaking allows enzyme, lactobacilli and other helpful organisms to break down and neutralize phytic acid. As little as seven hours of soaking in warm acidulated water will neutralize a large portion of phytic acid in grains. The simple practice of soaking cracked or rolled cereal grains overnight will vastly improve their nutritional benefits.
I combine it with cashew milk to give it a creamy flavour and they have a lower fat content than most other nuts. About 3/4 of their fat is unsaturated fatty acids, which is a healthy fat, helping to lower bad cholesterol and promote heart health and cardiovascular health. It contains high levels of copper, which in turn helps regulate thyroid functions, helps the body to utilize iron, maintaining bone and connective tissue health as well as helps produce melanin.
The wonderful thing is you can add anything you want to oatmeal and it's going to taste great. I went with simple raisins and bananas with a bit of cinnamon. Try blended apples, blueberries, goji berries, hemp seeds, almonds etc.
The wonderful thing is you can add anything you want to oatmeal and it's going to taste great. I went with simple raisins and bananas with a bit of cinnamon. Try blended apples, blueberries, goji berries, hemp seeds, almonds etc.
Raw Creamy Cashew Milk Oatmeal
1 cup gluten free oats
1 1/2 cup cashew milk
2 TBS chia seeds
2 TBS currant/raisins
1 TBS maple syrup
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla essence
Cashew Milk
1/2 cup cashews (soaked 6hrs)
1 cup filtered water
1. Blend ingredients for cashew milk together on high
2. Combine all ingredients together and blend on med speed until mixed together. Don't put it on a high speed as this will make it more mushy, and this tastes better with some crunch and texture to it
3. Put into a bowl and cover, put in the fridge and set for a few hours (I usually leave it overnight for the next morning)
4. Top with bananas, maple syrup and cinnamon
* You can always soak the oats first for 6 hrs or so and then blend, then you can eat it straight away.
2. Combine all ingredients together and blend on med speed until mixed together. Don't put it on a high speed as this will make it more mushy, and this tastes better with some crunch and texture to it
3. Put into a bowl and cover, put in the fridge and set for a few hours (I usually leave it overnight for the next morning)
4. Top with bananas, maple syrup and cinnamon
* You can always soak the oats first for 6 hrs or so and then blend, then you can eat it straight away.
