Start your day right

Breakfast is an important start to the day, especially for someone who has more Vata tendencies of anxiety, fear and worry. The Vata energy represents air and ether. When we skip breakfast then we are creating more of these spacious and light qualities in the body.

Our digestive fire is the strongest when the sun is the highest in they sky at noon and therefore a light but grounding, nourishing and easily digestible breakfast is important.

Check out some examples breakfast below:

RICE FLAKES PORRIDGE (GLUTEN FREE)

INGREDIENTS

Rice flakes: half a cup 

Water: 3 cups

Raisins/sultanas: 1/4 cup

Cardamon powder - a pinch

Cinnamon powder - a pinch 

Fennel powder - a good pinch 

Oil (Coconut, rice bran or ghee) - 1 tbsp 

Sweetener such as rapadura sugar, coconut sugar or stevia to taste, or honey (but only added once cooked) 

Optional: 7 almonds that have been soaked overnight and peeled

METHOD

1) Soak rice flakes in 1/2 cup of water for a few minutes until soft

2) Heat saucepan and add oil

3) Squeeze excess water from the rice flakes and add them to pan 

4) Toast them for 2 minutes in oil 

5) Add boiled water, cardamom, cinnamon and fennel powder 

6) Keep stirring, let it cook for 7-8 minutes and then add raisins

7) Before taking off the heat add the sweetener (except honey which should not be cooked) and cook for another minute 

8) Serve warm

* A similar recipe can be used for quick oats (fine oats are lighter than rolled oats) and semolina. however neither need to be soaked prior to lightly frying. When we fry the grain prior to cooking it makes it lighter and more easily digestible - it also tastes more delicious as the porridge does not take on a gluggy consistency.

BUCKWHEAT PANCAKES 

INGREDIENTS: 

Buckwheat flour - 1/2 cup 

Water - 1 cup

Cinnamon powder - 1/4 tsp

Cardamon powder - 1/4 tsp 

Oil for frying

METHOD:

1) Mix all ingredients, adding water a little at the time, to make a smooth, runny batter

2) Heat non-stick pan to medium heat 

3) Coat pan with 1 teaspoon of oil, pour on 2 tablespoons of batter and spread to make a pancake

4) Turnover and cook other side

5) Serve with honey or maple syrup

* The above recipe can also be make into a savoury pancake for any meal of the day and act as a healthy wrap/bread alternative. Instead of the sweet spices use onion, cumin, turmeric and ajwain seeds to aid digestion. Besan flour can also be used instead of the buckwheat, or even half-half. Besan flour creates a heavier pancake whereas using the buckwheat creates a lighter, more fluffy pancake. It all begins with an idea.