Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Berry Coconut "Raw" Cereal

Eating raw food can be as easy as chomping into an apple with a handful of nuts. But for breakfast, why not have something a lot tastier that really bumps up the nutrients.   It's also quick to make -- a virtue I never tire of! 

Something that raw foodists have been onto for awhile is how amazing creative combinations can taste.  A burst of berry flavor in this dish is like nothing you've ever tasted!   

Berry Coconut "Raw" Cereal
But the best attribute?  You won't believe how much protein this cereal has -- not an easy feat when eating a plant-based diet.  Or even with animal protein.  I see too many people (including myself sometimes) not getting near enough protein for breakfast.  So how much does this cereal have?   

Lots.  A whopping 17 grams of protein (or more, depending on what you add).  That's more than a bowl of oatmeal (three times more) or a piece of toast with almond butter, or a piece of toast with cheese.  Not to mention it's thyroid-boosting (coconut), anti-inflammatory (flaxmeal), antioxidants (berries), apple pectin (binds heavy metals), and fiber (pretty much everything in it). 

Then there are the enzymes.  Those powerhouses made of protein that catalyze nearly every biochemical reaction.  Raw foods are full of much-needed enzymes (that get denatured by cooking over 140 degrees, and also to an extent by acidic digestive juices, whether cooked or not). 

But let's get back to the protein.  It fuels just about every aspect of our functioning, from good-mood neurotransmitters to energy production.  And because protein isn't stored in the body, it's much needed in the morning when many of our organs (like the adrenals) are coming off their night time regeneration.  They're ready to roll, and need some nutrients!

So how much protein is best for breakfast? 

A bare minimum is 10 grams and hopefully before 9 a.m.  Even better is 10-15 grams.  For conditions like chronic fatigue (no matter what the cause), fibromyalgia, autoimmune, and brain issues (ADHD), then 15-20 grams protein for breakfast is a really good plan.

If you're purposefully eating less protein (a cancer-healing diet, for example), then the components of this cereal can be adjusted to get less.  Ten grams protein, or even a bit more depending on how many meals and snacks you eat, is still a good goal for breakfast. 

Make fun shapes and eat
Coconut Berry Cereal on a plate.
 
Here's another thing that's not talked about enough, except in Ayurvedic medicine.  When the body gets a regular intake of nutrients, it takes on a calmness and feeling of security that's lacking when mealtime is irregular or sporadic.  So having a good protein breakfast first thing adds a stability to the body and mind (brain neurotransmitters), which is then very healing to organs like the adrenals that are fatigued or under stress.   

Would you rather drink your breakfast?  Turn this cereal into a smoothie by adding liquid -- like coconut milk, almond milk, or water and whir it up in a nutribullet or good blender.  Good to go.  Great for snacks too!


Berry Coconut "Raw" Cereal

Makes about 1-1/4 cups; one serving.

Process in food processor (pulsing at first) with steel blade:

  • 1/4 cup raw walnuts (or almonds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds - or a mixture)
  • 2 T. shredded coconut (unsweetened)
  • 1 small granny smith apple, or 1/2 or med/large granny smith apple
  • 1 T. chia seeds (cover with water and soak beforehand for 10 minutes or so; add the soaking water too; most of it will already be soaked up)
Then add and continue pulsing:

  • 2 T. flax meal (flax seeds ground separately)
  • 1 T. extra virgin coconut oil
  • 1 T. flaxseed oil
  • (optional) 1 scoop superfood -- I use Green Superfood by Amazing Grass - it's half greens and half berries with a little stevia
  • (optional) 1-3 T. hemp or other protein
  • 1/3 - 1/2 cup raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, or strawberries - or a berry mix (just pulse a few times until broken up; don't over process the berries)

The total protein depends on which ingredients you add, but here's the breakdown. 

1/4 cup nuts (not cashews) = 7 g
2 T. shredded coconut = 2 g
1/2 apple = 1 g
2 T flaxmeal = 2 g
1 T. chia seeds = 3 g
1 scoop superfood = 2 g
1 T. hemp protein or wheat grass = 3 g

Let me know if you try this cereal, and how you like it!  Would love to hear from you. 

To Your Best Health,
Adele Sonora

asonora@cal.net 

2 comments:

  1. HAVING THIS FOR BREAKFAST! THANKS ADELE

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad you are enjoying it Jules. Yeah there's just something about those berries!

    ReplyDelete