living EarthWild: Winter is nature's way of saying, "Up yours." ~Robert Byrne

I have to admit.
I've been hibernating.

It's no secret to those who know me best, that winter is not my favorite season.

There are many reasons:
It's cold and snowy,stalactites of icicles hang from the eaves, my stairs are icy, the car is constantly covered in frost and I am inside wrapped in three blankets, a hat, a scarf and slippers.

(okay maybe i am exaggerating about the number of blankets)

This:

really, winter?!

More reasons:
I have to pry the dog away from her permanent location next to the space heater, dress her up in a fleece jacket and endure her looks.

oh, it gets dark early and the wind is crazy and the produce in the store starts to look wilty and lackluster..... not to mention all the grumbly introspection I am 'forced' to do.

See, I love the warmer months, spring, summer and fall, with their fiesty liveliness, the warmth, the greenery, the light.

The green is what I miss most.......

There is something so sublime about warm sunlight dripping through verdant boughs, while

puppies and kittens chase flitting butterflies.

but i digress...

While we all await the arrival of spring, (wait is it just me?) here is a winter recipe for some soothing, comforting, warm breakfast cereal, that is chock full of goodness.

This came from my partner Jacqueline, who got it from some guy named John who she worked with at a circus community on the Big Island of Hawaii. She added the coconut oil later, and the sea salt and sweet, were inspired by her childhood oatmeal.

Winter Hot Cereal
1/4 c. amaranth
1/4 c. quinoa
1/4 c. steel cut oats
1 tsp. coconut oil (or to taste)
sea salt (to taste)
water
cinnamon
maple syrup, agave, honey (to taste)
optional: goji berries

Mix the amaranth, quinoa and oats together and cover with water. Let soak overnight. In the morning, drain the water and cover the cereal with water aprox. 2 inches above the grains. Bring to a boil and cover with a lid. Immediately turn the heat down to low. Let it simmer, and check it every 5-8 minutes. Add more water and stir as needed until the grains are cooked. Approximately 30-40 minutes.

Spoon the cereal into a dish and add coconut oil, sea salt and your choice of sweet.
Add goji berries and enjoy!

Amaranth (Amaranth cruentus): sacred grain of the Aztecs, energizing, protein rich, wonderful source of magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc and calcium.

Amaranth
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa): revered by the Inca as their mother grain, warming, supports heart and kidney functions, easily digested, highest protein of any grain and a complete protein. Excellent source of calcium, lysine, iron phosphorus, B vitamins and vitamin E.

Quinoa

Oats (Avena satvia): imparts stamina and warmth, improves resistance to stress, stabilizes blood sugar, regulates the thyroid, soothes the nervous and digestive system, reduces cigarette cravings and cholesterol, high in protein and amino acids.