Red Wheat Berries with Raisins and Nuts

I have a confession to make. I’ve been “trying” to lose my baby weight now for a whole year (that is after the second baby) and it seems to want to stick around. I have read and watched and researched all that needs to be known about the subject, in the hopes that I would start shedding it magically without effort. So, we’ve come to this point. The truth is that I haven’t been doing anything about it. Yes I have read and watched and researched, but have not DONE anything about it. I have given myself all the excuses and even stopped myself for a couple of years now from shopping for clothes in the hopes of motivating myself for the reward. Anyone out there feel the same??

Yesterday, I happen to watch glimpses of “The Dr. Oz Show” and he was helping a lady do just that. Huh! So I perked up and listened carefully, in anticipation of a great tip, as he showed her a plate of dry chicken breast and some steamed broccoli to maintain a healthy diet. Now seriously. Who eats that stuff? No wonder people have no desire to change their ways. So here it is. I have made a decision to start making time for myself and make sure to eat home-cooked (by me of course), tasty and healthy dishes (like the one this blog has featured so sporadically-sorry about that), and I will eat regularly without skipping meals and keep you posted on my results. Help me stay in check.

Look at these yummy tantalizing wheat berries. This breakfast/snack/dinner or whenever you want to eat it is really really good. Growing up, I have great memories of the sweet smell of wheat berries simmering away on the stove in the cold winter days. I love it, it makes my hearts happy. I made this today with red wheat berries and I loved the mahogany color with the nuts.

Here is how to make this. Place one cup of wheat berries in a heavy pot and fill with approx. five cups of water and a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil and reduce to simmer for about two hours. The berries will soak up all the water and you may have to add some more. You want to end up with some liquid in there. It’s the delicious part. You’ll know the berries are done when the skin pops like in the picture and they turn soft and have a gentle bite to them. Soak raw almonds and walnuts in water overnight to use for this dish. If you’ve never tried hydrated almonds and walnuts, you’re missing out. It’s almost like eating the fresh ones. Anyways, Rinse a handful of the nuts, peel the almonds (the skin will slide off easily). In a serving cup or bowl, ladle some cooked wheat berries with the liquid, add as many almonds, walnuts, pistachios and raisins as you want. Sweeten with agave nectar, sugar or honey as you wish. Enjoy. I sure did.

Red Wheat Berries with Raisins and Nuts

1 cup red wheat berries, well rinsed
5 cups water
Pinch of sea salt
1/4 cup almonds, raw
1/4 cup walnuts, raw
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup pistachios, raw