there was a little girl

Little Girl Eating Porridge

Jessie Willcox Smith

When my children were young, they began solid foods with green vegetables. This was against all doctor's orders, but I knew in my heart it was the right thing to do. We progressed to orange vegetables, then fruits, and finally cereal, but never ever the flaky disgusting stuff they pass of as baby food. My children ate muesli ground finely especially for small children. No, I didn't make my own; it came in a blue box from the healthfood store, Familia Baby Muesli. I always snuck bites of it, because it was so yummy. As the children became more numerous, we could no longer afford such luxuries. They grew up eating oatmeal, either cooked or raw (yah, phytic acid) and rice pudding. We made whole grain muffins, pancakes, waffles, smoothies, granola, and the like. I forgot all about Muesli.

The other day I was reminded of this delicious breakfast treat and wondered if I could make my own raw, organic version. Here is what I came up with. This is an easy alternative for families that just don't have much time in the mornings, don't like hot cereal, or need something raw but substantial.

Ginger's Raw Muesli

3-4 apples or other fresh fruit of your choice, cored and chopped finely or blended (see below)

1 orange, peeled (Don't leave this out. Mmmmm)
1/4 c. raw oats grouts (soak 24 hours)

1 T wheat germ (optional)
1/2 c. pitted dates or figs, finely chopped (or other favorite dried fruits)
2 T. walnuts, soaked and finely chopped

dash ginger

dash cinnamon

raw honey to taste

Blend apples until chunky, remove. Blend orange and oats, remove. Stir in nuts and dried fruit. Stir everything together and pour almond milk over the top. Enough for 1 or 2.

I know Muesli is supposed to be a breakfast cereal, but I love it for lunch or a snack on one of those starving" days. After all these months drinking smoothies, anything else is just too heavy until about 12 or 1.