One of the boys’ first foods – and it continues to be a favorite – is porridge. I first read how to make it in the book Super Baby Food, particularly how to make it for babies by grinding up all the ingredients before cooking. Now I make a big batch once a week, refrigerate it, then heat a portion each day.

The ratio of ingredients I usually use:

• 1 steel cut oats
• 1 brown rice
• ½ red lentils
• ½ split peas
• ½ barley
• ¼ corn meal

I keep this ratio pre-mixed in an air-tight container in the cabinet. I don’t add any wheat ingredients since the boys get enough from bread, bagels, crackers, etc.

To cook the porridge, use a ratio of:

• 1 dry porridge mix
• 4 water

Combine the porridge mix and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 45 minutes, stirring with a whisk every few minutes. You can add some cinnamon toward the end for flavor. Cool and refrigerate. I pour the porridge into single-serving containers, then just heat in the microwave before eating each day (add milk to taste, if desired).

Although porridge is a really good food by itself, I usually add one of the following for the boys:

• brewer’s yeast (excellent source of amino acids, protein, B-complex vitamins, and minerals)
• ground seeds/nuts (p acked with protein, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats)
• flaxseed/olive oil
• finely chopped sprouted seeds ( I’ll be describing how I sprout next week!)

Quick, easy, healthy, and delicious (you'll probably want to add a little honey/maple syrup/etc.)!