Oat groats are the whole oat kernel when it comes off the plant. Eating grains in their whole intact form is the most nutritious way to eat them.  And oats, in particular, are one of the best foods for restoring a healthy gut. (This is a great interview with Dr. Richard Matthews about this.)  And Dr. Tom O’Bryan, who specializes in gut health, says that the pectin in cooked apple skins is more biovailable then raw and is really good to heal the gut. (Video interview with Dr. Tom O’Bryan)  He recommends eating a tablespoon of cooked apple 3 times a day. I figure I’ll get it done in one shot with breakfast. It’s a great way to sweeten up the oats.  Feel free to add a tablespoon or two of chopped nuts or sprinkle on some flax meal.

Watch my video on how to make this using cranberries here.

1/2 cup oat groats

1 cup water

2 T raisins

1 large apple chopped

1/2 cup rolled oats

1 1/2 t cinnamon

1/4 t cardmom

Soak oat groats and raisins in the 1 cup of water over night.  In the morning, transfer everything to a sauce pan, cover, turn the stove to medium heat and set the timer for 8 minutes.  After 8 minutes, oats should be boiling. Add the chopped apple, bring back to a boil,  leave on burner but turn off heat.  Let it set for 15 or 20 minutes.