Soaked Breakfast Porridge with Blueberries, Cardamom & Cream

I will admit, I never soaked my grains until we started to incorporate them into our daughter's diet. I was too lazy to plan ahead and didn't really think it mattered all that much. I know a lot of you may roll your eyes at that and already know the importance of soaking. However, now that we are slowly starting to introduce them to Pepper (who's got a sensitive little system ) I have been diligent about soaking. We love a warming bowl of porridge for breakfast around these parts and our favorites are old fashioned oatmeal or amaranth porridge. And with just a tiny bit of planning ahead we can enjoy a bowl of porridge every morning of the week if we're on top of our game! Fun fact, I just learned that back in the day the box of oatmeal from the grocery store used to say "soak overnight" in the directions. There's definitely a lot of research out there on the science and importance of soaking grains but the book I reference a lot for this information is Nourishing Traditions. What I have learned through my reading and research about grains is this-- all grains contain phytic acid (an organic acid in which phosphorus is bound). Untreated phtyic acid can combine with calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc in the intestinal tract and block their absorption. Soaking in warm, acidic water allows enzymes and other helpful organisms to break down and neutralize phytic acid and makes it easier for the body to digest and absorb important vitamins.  (This information all came from Nourishing Traditions) Soaking can feel like a pain at first but now that I'm getting into a good groove it's honestly second nature. Every morning when we're eating a bowl of our pre-soaked oatmeal I put another portion in a bowl with warm water and some vinegar, cover it and leave it out until the following morning. You can soak anywhere from 8-24 hours. Once soaked, oatmeal cooks up in about 3 minutes!! Easy for those busy mornings mamas and papas! Nutrition aside, I honestly think the quality of soaked oats is SO much better. They are thicker, creamier and I swear, I think they stick with me longer throughout the morning. Anyhow, whether you are starting to incorporate grains into your little one's diets or just for yourself, I hope this was interesting and I hope you enjoy these soaked oats as much as we do. This is one of my favorite breakfasts to serve up for Pepper and this combination of blueberries, cardamom and cream is her go-to! Local folks- we love supporting Camas Country Mill in Southern Oregon for purchasing our oats. They are high quality with good farming practices.