Soakin your stuff!

The other day, after a couple days of eating my overnight oats, I started to notice my stomach getting upset. I decided to do some research (along with the help of my mom) and I found out about the importance of soaking your oats before you eat them. For the last few years I started soaking my brown rice as well as garbanzo beans (chickpeas) before I cooked a delicious meal, however, never had I thought about oats. I found a few links with information and this excerpt (which sums up the purpose of soaking oats nicely) is from: http://bit.ly/11v5d3

"All grains contain phytic acid (an organic acid in which phosphorous is bound) in the outer layer or bran. Untreated phytic acid can combine with calcium, magnesium, copper, iron especially zinc in the intestinal track and block their absorption. This is why a diet high in unfermented whole grains may led to serious mineral deficiencies and bone loss. The modern misguided practice of consuming large amounts of unprocessed bran often improves colon transit time at first but may lead to irritable bowel syndrome and, in the long term, many other adverse effects. Soaking allows enzyme, lactobacilli and other helpful organisms to break down and neutralize phytic acid. As little as seven hours of soaking in warm acidulated water will neutralize a large portion of phytic acid in grains. The simple practice of soaking cracked or rolled cereal grains overnight will vastly improve their nutritional benefits."

Another few links about soaking oats:

http://www.alive.com/1677a5a2.php?subject_bread_cramb=491

and this link explains HOW to soak your oats as well as what you need to soak them!

http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/09/soaked-oatmeal-breakfast.html

I will definitely soak my oats today and find out how they taste tomorrow. While doing research about soaking your oats I also found some literature about soaking nuts. This is something that I have known for a long time since reading one of my favorite books called "eating for beauty" by David Wolfe (a great author and believer in the raw food movement). Soaking nuts or seeds that you consume is very important in order to receive ALL the nutritional value as well as the most benefits from them. Here are some link about nuts and seeds and for anyone who loves to eat these things, I really recommend checking them out!

http://eatingforenergy.ca/blog/73/do-you-soak-your-nuts/

for soak times for different nuts and seeds check this out:

http://www.raw-food-living.com/soaking-nuts.html

Today I will be soaking some pumpkin and sunflower seeds for our dinner tonight! I want to mix them with some brown rice and make a salad for a very Fresh-like bowl.
Last nights chicken was a success and I also got to make Israeli Couscous for the first time in my life! The boy ate everything and was totally full after, but it was super good for him...health food!! I made sure to take pictures and I will include my couscous recipe (it got raves reviews) in the next post.
Last night I watched the movie Australia directed by Baz, the same guy who did Moulin Rouge and Romeo and Juliet. He is great with colours and scenery. The movie was with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman (Hello!!) and was all romance and adventure as well as some magic. The scenery in Australia was so beautiful, I'm so lucky to be living so close to such a place and I can't wait to check it out (first I gotta conquer NZ though!). It was definitely a feel good movie. Next up, The Lovely Bones. I love seeing movies of books I enjoyed because I get to see how another person interpreted everything in their mind. But, for now, its time for some breakfast (a fruit salad) and some amazing tea (peppermint yum!) I hope today will stay as sunny as it is right now! xJ