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For Happy Mornings: Buckwheat Porridge

It actually raises your serotonin levels.....

Despite having Coeliacs Disease and a really limited choice of high sugar, high carb, not filling supermarket foods for breakfast, I always try to indulge in good healthy food first thing. Eggs from my chickens are a definite favourite, followed closely by fresh fruit of pancakes if I can take advantage of a long breakfast! 

I have to say I'm on a real porridge kick lately, after discovering and feeling first-hand the benefits of buckwheat grains.  By "activating" the grains overnight, it provides a lovely nutty flavour thats high in amino acids, great for your tummy and serotonin levels, meaning it actually does make you feel full and happy! 

Activate:

Activate buckwheat by soaking 100 grams in a bowl overnight, in filtered water, spring or rainwater.  Out of the tap is fine too of course, whatever floats your boat! Simply pour the buckwheat into the bowl of water just before you go to bed and they will be ready when you wake up bright and early (just me. ok then)!  

 

This process brings the grain from its "dormant" state into an "alive" state, basically begins the germination process and softens the kernel, which makes it easier for your tummy to obtain its nutrients.

Recipe:

In the morning: 

  • drain the buckwheat through a sieve, and rinse with cold water.
  • add buckwheat to saucepan and cover with 100ml water and 200ml of milk (cows, soy, almond, or rice), and a pinch of salt.
  • Bring to boil, then turn down slightly to simmer until its at the type of "porridge" consistency you like, 10-15 minutes for me.
  • Add fruit, honey, maple syrup, cacao powder, or nuts, the list is endless.........

My Favourite Toppings:

  • Banana and Maple Syrup with LSA (Linseed, Sunflower and Almond)
  • Cacao Powder and Strawberries
  • Honey and fresh fruit
  • Blueberries and strawberries with almond meal 
  • Rhubarb compote
  • Stewed Strawberries

Health Benefits:

  • Its a fruit seed thats low GI
  • Helps to stabilise blood sugar
  • Contains Magnesium, Calcium and Protein
  • Antioxidants
  • Contains amino acids, which helps the body to make seratonin
  • Its gluten free
  • Has anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal effects 

I've been having this lovely nutty oat substitute for over a year now. I find it lovely in winter and summer, makes me feel full right till lunchtime (no snacks needed), and even my 5 year old son loves it. He asks me every morning without fail if the porridge has been soaking. If I have forgot, I am in a world of trouble from him!

 

Its got a lovely flavour and gives me great energy to take on the world, and there's not many foods that really tick all the breakfast boxes for people with gluten intolerances that you can get on the supermarket shelf. So bring a little happiness into your life and give buckwheat porridge a try, you can see the difference it makes for yourself. 

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