Sometimes you just want warm comfort food to start your day. Something that sticks with you and makes you feel good from the inside out. This recipe does all of that and more. It also supports fantastic hair health.

With nutrient-rich cranberries in the spotlight, you get a bright sweet-tart flavor and excitement. Cranberries are a great antioxidant with over two dozen phytonutrients, which means they have the power to bind with free radicals and reduce their harmful effects.

For your hair, cranberries have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which are great for scalp health and make a fertile environment for hair growth. They’re also rich in many vitamins and minerals, including manganese, which is essential for the growth of everything in the body, including amazing hair.

Adding grains, like cracked wheat and buckwheat, gives you whole-grain goodness that fuels your body and hair with folate, calcium, phosphorous, zinc, copper, iron, vitamin E and many B vitamins. All of these are essential for fabulous looking hair and scalp health. 

Pairing whole grains and cranberries create a meal that fills and fuels you while giving your hair a boost that will increase strength, moisture, health, and appearance. 

Multigrain hot cereal
with cranberries and oranges

Ingredients:

1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen

3 cups and 2 tablespoons cups water

2 cups apple juice

½ cup soy flakes (or any other kind of flakes)

¼ cup toasted hazelnuts

2 oranges, peeled and segmented

1 cup cracked wheat

½ cup buckwheat kasha

Makes 4 ½ cups

Directions:

Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cranberries and 2 Tbsp water and cook until the cranberries pop and soften, releasing their juices. This will take approximately 2 minutes. Stir in the orange, remove from heat, and set aside.

Bring apple juice and 3 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the cracked wheat and reduce it to a simmer. Cook covered for 15 minutes. Then add the flakes and cook another five minutes. Add kasha and cook for 10 minutes more. Uncover and continue to cook for about 5 minutes, you want most of the excess liquid to evaporate.

Spoon into individual bowls and top with reserved fruit and hazelnuts.

While this recipe was selected because the ingredients are great for your hair, you can mix it up a little and try other fruits if you prefer. We also think just a sprinkle of brown sugar boosts the sweetness of the fruits.