Yummy Breakfast Porridge

breakfastspringsummerwinter
Written By Katja Patel

The most common question I receive from my students regarding food is, "What can I eat for breakfast?"

Breakfast seems to be a delicate issue. So, I want to talk more about the relationship between breakfast and Ayurveda. ⁠

 ⁠Did you know that what you eat in the morning can profoundly impact your day? ⁠

Choosing a suitable grain makes porridge lighter than expected.

So here is a base recipe you can adapt to any of the grains you choose throughout the year.

Autumn and winter: Oats, Amaranth, Buckwheat, Millet, Quinoa, Rice, Rye

Spring: Amaranth, Barley, Buckwheat, Corn, Millet, Oats, Quinoa, Rice, Rye

Summer: Barley, Millet, Oats, white Rice, Wheat, Quinoa

 

Recipe

 Ingredients for two portions:

  • 1 cup of the above or mixed flakes 

  • 1 ½ cups of water

  • 1 ½ cups of milk of your choice

  • 1 tsp ghee or coconut oil

  • 1 tsp carob powder

  • Raisins

  • ½ tsp cinnamon

  • 1/8 tsp cardamom

  • ½ tsp fennel

 

How to do it:

Put water flakes, spices and raisins in the pot, let it soak for about ½ hour, then bring to a boil. Next, heat the milk up in a separate pot.

Once the water is boiling, stir occasionally, and keep the lid slightly open to avoid over-boiling. Cook on low heat for about 5 min, add the milk, and keep it boiling for another couple of minutes.

Ensure the porridge doesn't dry out; add more water if needed.

When done, stir in the ghee or oil. 

 

Seasonal Variations

  •  Use only water during spring or with Kapha imbalance, like colds and coughs, sinuses.

  • Add 1 tsp of honey when the porridge has cooled down; this is particularly beneficial in the spring. During autumn and summer, use coconut sugar or agave syrup.

  • During spring, don't soak the flakes; put the ghee or coconut oil in the pot, heat it up, add the flakes, toast them for about 5 minutes, and then add hot water. 

  • Add 1 tbsp mixed seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, and sesame) or three soaked and peeled almonds during the winter.

 

Here is something to consider!

Ayurveda recommends not mixing fresh fruits and dairy as this leads to the formation of toxins in the body. Instead, have the fruit separate from meals.

Dried fruits and milk are ok to mix.

Enjoy your breakfast; keep it light and nourishing.

Katja Patel

Katja Patel is a yoga teacher, teacher mentor, and Ayurveda consultant with over 25 years of experience helping women come back into rhythm — in their bodies, their days, and their lives.

Her work focuses on restoring steadiness through daily rhythms that support digestion, sleep, energy, and the nervous system — rather than chasing quick fixes or wellness trends.

After navigating scoliosis and chronic pain herself, Katja understands what it means to live in a body that feels out of sync — and how yoga and Ayurveda, when taught simply and applied wisely, can rebuild resilience, confidence, and trust in the body again.

Through her courses, workshops, and writing, she helps women stop trying to “do everything right” and instead learn how to listen, adjust, and return the rhythms their body has been asking for all along.

You can begin with her free guide, My 5 Quick Ayurveda Fixes from Scattered to Steady, or listen to her podcast Rooted in the Seasons at zestforyoga.com.

https://www.zestforyoga.com/
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