Cinnamon Amaranth Porridge w/Caramelized Apples

It’s been another full-on week here.

Unwinding from cooking for the athletes at RedBull Rampage, getting back into the swing with clients, sending out fall reset protocol (yay!) finishing up the last details of my course on aligning with the feminine cycle (Force of Nature! Check it out!) And plotting and planning for the months to come. Getting ready for the holiday season. AND, Leo started running, telling us “good night! Sleep tight!”

And through it all, this Cinnamon Amaranth Porridge with Caramelized Apples kept coming up.

Whether it was what we were having for breakfast (Leo LOVES it! And my oatmeal loving husband does too) what I was recommending to clients as they prepare for reset, to women looking to align their meals with their menstrual and ovulatory phases, and just thinking of the practices that hold me well, there it was.

Making porridge in a rice cooker (set up over night so all I have to do is hit the button in the morning, go practice in the quiet of the morning, and return to a hot breakfast) is a ritual that I’m very much looking forward to this fall. And when that rice cooker sings, chances are that this sweet, purposeful porridge, topped with perfectly golden apples – will be what’s in there.

Why amaranth?

Not all porridges are created equally. This one, in particular, made with the amaranth (of Aztec heritage) is quite the powerhouse. Amaranth has 30% more protein than rice, and 4x more calcium than wheat. It’s an incredible iron-builder, and very well-suited to those who struggle with low iron or anemia. And, this brilliant grain is tridoshic, meaning that it balances all of the doshas – specifically kapha and pitta. It’s a food suitable to the spring (as it helps to absorb excess moisture in the body,) but also suitable to this summer/fall transition for those of us with extra heat in the body. A contradiction in grains, amaranth is sweet but astringent, crunchy but soft. Among the other benefits of this brilliant, gluten-free grain:

• Balances Doshas: Amaranth is considered to be primarily Tridoshic, meaning it balances all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha), though it is especially beneficial for balancing Vata and Kapha. It is warming but easy on digestion, making it suitable for many constitutions.
• Rich in Nutrients: It is a great source of high-quality protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, and fiber. These nutrients support bone strength, energy levels, and healthy digestion.
• Boosts Digestion: Amaranth contains a good amount of dietary fiber, which aids in promoting regular bowel movements and prevents constipation, supporting both Pitta and Vata. It also has mild diuretic properties that can help with water retention.
• Improves Stamina and Strength: Its high protein content and amino acid profile, particularly lysine, help in building and repairing muscle, making it an ideal food for athletes and those with high physical demands.
• Supports Bone Health: With its high calcium and magnesium content, amaranth strengthens bones and helps prevent deficiencies, which can be particularly helpful for new mothers or those recovering from physical strain.
• Good for Skin and Hair: Its antioxidant properties, due to vitamins A, C, and E, support skin and hair health, helping to prevent premature aging and keeping tissues nourished.
• Heart Health: The magnesium and fiber in amaranth help to regulate blood pressure and support cardiovascular health. It also contains squalene, a compound with antioxidant properties that can support healthy lipid levels.
• Naturally Gluten-Free: Amaranth is a gluten-free grain, making it beneficial for those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

Protein powder, huh?

YES. Over the few months, I’ve dove straight into this favorite protein powder from Mikuna Foods Game changer!

To be clear, I am NOT a protein powder fan typically. Not because I don’t like protein, but because I know that all of those fractioned food parts, broken down into pieces of whole foods, filled with non-food ingredients and made palatable with binders and additives are not at all what our bodies need (even if there’s protein in there somewhere.) Mikuna is different. And this is not an ad or paid post – just a true and honest opinion.

Mikuna’s Choco Protein powder is made with a single, whole ingredient that doesn’t contain lectins, so it’s easy to digest. It’s packed with protein, doesn’t contain and fillers or flavors, and works like a dream when you swirl it into all the places where you might need a protein boost. Porridge, baked goods, chia pudding and even the occasional (gasp) smoothie are our spots.

I don’t recommend boosting your porridge with any other protein powder. But I do recommend picking up this one!

This amaranth porridge

Is creamier, smoother and has less texture than overnight oats, or buckwheat. But I think that’s one of the things I love most about it. I love a blank canvas, and this flavorful, easy-to-adapt grain hits the spot. I love to enjoy it’s cream-of-wheat texture with tender caramelized apples, crunchy walnuts, and plenty of ghee and maple syrup.

There are two ways to make this porridge happen, as listed below, but by far the easiest is to make it in a rice cooker. Yes, you need one. Yes, you’ll thank me later. This is the model we have, and we use it at least once (but more likely twice) each day for grains, porridge, and the like. I love when someone makes me breakfast, or dinner, and this rice cooker counts!

You can also make the porridge on your stove top. It takes about the same amount of time, but you’ll have to lift some fingers and be present while the action is going down and the flame is lit.