brave light warrior breakfasts

brave Light warrior BREAKFAST - BY POPULAR DEMAND :)

Most Westerners who eat their morning cereal with cold, PASTEURIZED milk would be shocked to discover that milk with grains is generally a bad food combination - UNLIKE WARM MILK WITH GRAINS

The milk curdles almost instantly in the stomach forming a greasy, indigestible coating over the cereal grains. When cooked together, however, the mixture becomes homogeneous and more digestible.

So what do eat for those with high metabolisms, those in Recovery whose systems your systems need replenishing and shoring up - like thin, energy deficient people with high Vata or those with Vata and Pitta imbalances who are "Burnt out" or when in the early stages of Recovery or those with chronic illnesses like HIV

- all resulting in weight loss

- all of whom have trouble keeping warm.

To replenish, a digestible breakfast that 'sticks to the ribs" so to speak is needed. especially in winter. Yes warm fruit is acceptable in summer but even so - alternating with this recipe would be a good idea - or to eat it at least 3 times a week.

Because in Ayurveda, recipes that stick to the ribs build ojas, which is well-formed, well-nourished tissue - are most important. Proteins are an important part of the alchemy in Oatmeal with Milk and Almonds. They build stamina and ojas. Vata with high Vata and high Pitta, should start every day with adequate proteins. Oats, IF COOKED, are an ideal breakfast grain because it is easier to digest than wheat or corn. Milk is heavy for digestion. Two powerful additions are grated ginger and cardamom, are combined with the milk to make it lighter and less mucus forming, and easier to digest. Almonds supply proteins because they are also sattvic, helping to create a spiritual state of mind.

An ancient Ayurvedic text called 'Ashtanga Hrdayam' recommends only hot cereals with milk. Hot cereals with milk 'oleate' the body, making it soft and supple. A mixture of fats and carbohydrates, hot cereals with milk sweeten the blood, making it more dense. Sweet blood helps coat dry membranes with mucus, lubricating the nasal passages, lungs, and digestive tract including the colon.

Thanks to John at Joyfullbelly for this recipe - we have amended it to suit Braves particular requirements:

Weights, measures & ingredients

2 tbsp Almonds

1/4 tsp Cardamom

1/4 tsp grated ginger

1 tsp Ghee or a drizzle of sesame oil - you can substitute with coconut oil or butter

1 tsp Maple Syrup or a sprinkle of raw brown sugar

1 c Milk

1/3 c Oats / Oatmeal

Preparation

Always soak almonds overnight and peel them in the morning. This revives them and removes the bitterness. Yogis recommend that you consume 10 a day, it's also delicious to soak them in juices. Blend your almonds in a coffee grinder with oatmeal or wrap in a dish towel, bash and blend using a spoon...its a great way to start the day :) You can substitute with another nut that garess with you or seeds if you have allergies.

Place oatmeal mix and all ingredients from the list above in a pot. Use double or triple the quantity of milk depending upon level of dryness in the body. (that includes constipation!)

If you have difficulty digesting milk substitute almond or rice milk instead.

Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Lower heat to a simmer and cook until soft.

You can garnish with a tablespoon of sesame seeds and some grated apple or pear

For a warm fruit breakfast, which is better for weaker or erratic digestions, even in SUMMER try:

Gently frying or simmering an apple and a pear in a quarter cup of water or some ghee/butter, for 5 mins just until tender

add a teaspoon of grated ginger and any herb/spice from your food list

take off the heat

add a whole chopped banana or half a mango/papaya

sprinkled sunflower/pumpkin seed /almonds

Of course if you can and if you can afford, always try to source your food locally, organically, additive free. Whichever recipe or additions you choose remember a few food combo rules.... don't mix yoghurt with raw or cooked oats or any other grain, no banana with dairy, astringent fruit like strawberries or orange aren't going to sit will with the warm, oiliness of oats, milk and butter. Be creative there are so many delicious things to experiment with like apple & pear butter, even additive free jams or tahina. Use your dosha based nutritional lists to guide you.

These breakfasts are ideal for those in Recovery who have VATA/ VATA PITTA / TRIDOSHIC constitutions or are UNDER WEIGHT

enjoy! :)