The Merry Mill is running a 30-day challenge, where participants eat oats as part of one meal a day and at the end share how it impacts their well-being.

Through this challenge, we're inviting participants to experience firsthand the health and well-being improvements that come from incorporating oats into their daily routines. Oats are a super food after all! If you would like to take part in the 30 day Challenge, email info@themerrymill.ie.

There is significant research into the health benefits of eating oats as part of a balanced diet. Let's delve into some of these findings together.

Health Benefits of Oats

The consumption of oats has been determined to be beneficial for human health by promoting immune response and improving gut microbiota. In addition, oat consumption assists in preventing diseases such as atherosclerosis, dermatitis, and some forms of cancer. Much evidence points to the beneficial effects of oats in the reduction of cardiovascular disease risks, dermatologic disorders, inflammation, and type-2 diabetes, and these effects are mostly associated with OBG (Research Paper).

It has been established that the consumption of at least 3 g per day of oat β-glucan can achieve a reduction in LDL cholesterol of up to 10% and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by as much as 20% (Research Paper).

This study suggests that a diet including oatmeal instead of white bread or eggs for breakfast is associated with a lower rate of total stroke, ischemic stroke, and ischemic stroke due to small-artery occlusion, and a diet including oatmeal instead of eggs is associated with a lower rate of total hemorrhagic stroke. The findings suggest that a diet containing oatmeal instead of white bread or eggs may be associated with a lower rate of stroke. (Research paper).

If we the growers and the scientists haven’t convinced you, the chances are you’re not adding oats to recipes you enjoy. Check out our recipes blog for inspiration.

We are also collaborating with three Irish Health and Wellbeing advocates on Instagram to share recipes for the challenge:

Catherine O’Keefe (Wellness Warrior)

• https://www.wellnesswarrior.ie/

• Instagram: @wellnesswarrior.ie

Colman Power

• https://www.colmanpowerorganicfitness.com/

• Instagram: @colman_power_organic_fitness

Sylvia Diaz

• https://fitwithsylvia.com/

• Instagram: @fit.with.sylvia

If you’re looking to find Ireland’s finest Organic Gluten Free Oats, take a look at our shop here.

Kevin, Jenny and their team of daughters are proud to announce that they have won the EU Organic Award for Best Organic Food Processing SME at the award ceremony in Brussels today.

The Scully’s are proud to represent Ireland as an organic food producer. They are dedicated to organic farming and sustainable food production and are grateful for the recognition. 

This small farm in County Laois Ireland manages the full supply chain of their organic gluten-free oats, growing, harvesting, milling, and packing their products before shipping straight to their customers 

We’re delighted with this week’s coverage in the Irish Farmers Journal and Irish Country Living magazine. Maria interviewed Kevin on the journey so far, the kosher harvest, the EU awards nomination, and more.

‘Having travelled the world, the desire to be on his farm full-time in Co Laois inspired Kevin Scully to set up The Merry Mill, writes Maria Moynihan.’

Read all about Kevin’s journey in the Farmers Journal and Irish Country Living magazine.

The Scullys were also interviewed for the Irish Farmers Monthly

Whether you have a gluten intolerance or simply prefer a healthier option, our mix will satisfy your cravings without any compromise on taste. So, bake your way to a healthier lifestyle with our organic gluten-free bread mix!

Think porridge bread but better!

We are delighted to share our newest product: Organic Gluten Free Bread Mix. Our organic gluten-free bread mix is the perfect solution for those who love delicious and healthy bread. Made with only the finest organic ingredients, it is a great source of fiber and nutrients.

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Bord Bia Bloom is a wonderful gardening and food event held in Dublin. The Merry Mill Team are excited to showcase their range of organic gluten free products at the exhibition and meet fellow producers and customers to share their passion for quality foods.

We have two tickets to giveaway to our followers - we’d love to meet you there!

In order to enter, visit our Instagram page and enter the competition

• Date: 1st - 5th June 2023

• Time: 9am-6pm

• Location: Bloom in the Park, Phoneix Park, Dublin, Ireland

Meet Kevin, the amazing founder and CEO of The Merry Mill! Kevin is a skilled individual with a wide range of talents, but today we want to highlight his expertise in organic farming and growing oats. Before starting The Merry Mill, Kevin used to grow organic oats for livestock on his farm. However, after two of his nieces were diagnosed with coeliac disease, he was inspired to create gluten-free organic oats for humans. Unfortunately, no other mill in Ireland was processing organic gluten free oats, so he took matters into his own hands and built a purpose-built micro mill on his organic farm!

How do you ensure The Merry Mill Oats are gluten free?

In the field

The Merry Mill Oats are grown on the Scully’s family farm in Vicarstown, Co. Laois Ireland. They sow pure oats ensuring the grain is clean and free of any rogue grains before planting it in the soil.

During the growing process in organic farming no chemicals, artificial fertilizers or spray are used. Therefore the Scully family walk the fields to hand pull rogue grains. This ensures no rogue grains containing gluten are harvested with the oats.

The harvest takes place in August. During the harvest The Merry Mill use their own machinery including combine harvesters and trailers that only handle organic gluten free oats.

In the mill

The Scully family have built Ireland's first organic gluten-free oat mill on their farm in County Laois, where they process their oats into nutritious oat flakes and flour.

The mill specializes in milling organic gluten-free oats only, ensuring that there is no possibility of gluten cross-contamination.

The Merry Mill oats undergo regular batch testing for gluten by an external laboratory, and consistently test below 5ppm (parts per million). To be sold as gluten-free in Ireland, a product must test below 20ppm, so the Merry Mill oats exceed the standard.

The Merry Mill Oats are grown, harvested and packed on the Scully’s farm. They deliver direct to customers nationwide.

Top Tips : Shopping for gluten free oats!

• Look for the "gluten-free" symbol: Oat brands that are gluten free include a "gluten-free" label on their packaging, indicating that the oats have been processed in a way that eliminates any cross-contamination with gluten-containing grains.

• If the packaging does not state it is gluten free, cross contamination of oats with grains such as wheat, barley, or rye is likely. If you have gluten sensitivities make sure you are eating oats labeled gluten free.

Five approved European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) health claims apply to oats.

• Four relate to the oat- specific soluble fibers, the beta-glucans, and concern the maintenance and reduction of blood cholesterol, better blood glucose balance, and increased faecal bulk.

• The fifth claim concerns the high content of unsaturated fatty acids, especially present in the endosperm, which reduces the risks of heart and vascular diseases.

• Furthermore, oat starch has a low glycemic index, which is favourable for weight control. Oat-specific polyphenols and avenanthramides have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Thus, oats can contribute significantly to the presently recommended whole-grain diet.

In addition to their health benefits, oats are also a versatile and tasty food and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. For breakfast, you can include oats through a bowl of porridge, overnight oats, baked oats or oat flour pancakes. Oats can also be used in baking or cooking for example porridge bread , shortbread, flapjacks, chocolate covered bites, there are plenty of delicious ways to incorporate this healthy food into your diet.

Reference: Oats in healthy gluten-free and regular diets : A perspective

We’ve decided to go and taste the wonderful creations made using our organic gluten free oats and oat flour in cafes and bakeries. 

This week we visited The Pantry in Portlaoise and tried The Merry Mill Porridge with homemade peanut butter granola, coconut flakes and banana. Its a gluten free breakfast and you have the option of cows milk or oat milk. The oats were creamy, warm, the perfect thickness and sweetness. This bowl exceeded our expectations, absolutely delightful experience!

We’re going to update this post as we try new places. Bowes Foodhall and Cafe in Durrow, Laois is up next.

As One Restaurant in Dublin 2 is serving our organic gluten free porridge oats.

Kale and Coco, in Dublin 7 is using our organic gluten free oats in their gluten free granola.

Last week we donated a pallet of Organic Porridge Oats. If you or your business would like to donate food/ supply funding for fuel or buy resources such as diesel generators contact Colm Smullen. We can provide a collection point at our farm for anyone locally.

This is their link for gofundme, https://gofund.me/355a7407

Ingredients

• 150g The Merry Mill Oat Flour ( you can blend oats in a blender is you don’t have oat flour in your press)

• 125g Corn Flour (double check its gluten free)

• 225g Butter ( room temperature)

• 100g Caster Sugar

• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

• 1/2 tsp salt

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius and line a baking tray

2. Whisk the butter until smooth. Gradually add the sugar and vanilla extract and combine.

3. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.

4. Gradually, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and bind it into a dough.

5. Roll out the dough as evenly as possible and cut out heart shapes.

6. Place on a try and bake for 15 minutes until slightly golden.

7. Allow to cool and then enjoy with strawberries and cream.

   
   
   
   

Dietician-Approved Benefits of Overnight Oats

Oats make a versatile edible for their nutritional value and delicious meal. Continue to read to gain more insights about the benefits you can reap by starting your day with a bowl of oats.

1. Prevent Heart Diseases

With the increase in the occurrence of heart disease, it is crucial to take care of our heart health. Protein overnight oats are rich in a fiber called beta-glucan which is proven to reduce cholesterol circulation in the blood by increasing the excretion of cholesterol-rich bile. Oxidation of excessive LDL in the body is the reason behind strokes, tissue damage, or heart attacks. Thus, oats, rich in antioxidants combined with Vitamin C1, prevent the oxidation of such LDL.

2. Aids in Weight Loss

Organic overnight oats have emerged as the easiest, most healthy, filling breakfast option. Individuals often put on weight due to overeating, but oats being rich in calories and beta-glucan, prevents overeating and helps to maintain a steady body weight. Moreover, beta-glucan promotes the release of peptide hormones and reduces the amount of food intake.

3. Boost Brain Functioning

Glucose is the fuel that keeps our brain functioning throughout the day. What a great way to start your day than a bowl of oats rich in carbohydrates and glucose. Organic, gluten-free oats is rich in fiber and low on the glycemic index breaks down slowly without spiking the blood sugar levels. In addition, it is rich in the goodness of Vitamin B and prevents you from any cognitive diseases and memory loss.

4. Boost Immunity

A strong immune system is vital to keep your body healthy. A bowl of overnight oats in the morning can significantly boost your immune system. The beta-glucan in oats helps to increase the activity of white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood, which further defends us from the attack of any disease-causing bacteria or viruses. The richness of Zinc and Selenium protects the body from the potential risk of infections, makes the antibodies effective, and accelerates the wound-healing process.

5. Reduce Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is when the kidneys have excessive blood sugar levels, leading to improper waste-filtering processes. Organic overnight oats are plant-based sources of protein full of anti-diabetic properties. Oats are high in fiber and low in glycemic index, which helps in effectively regulating blood sugar levels, thus ensuring the kidneys' proper functioning.

6. Relieve Constipation

Dieticians often advise individuals with constipation to take oats for breakfast. As it contains insoluble fiber, it aids in bowel movement, soaks water, and makes the stool bulkier, thus making it easy to pass through the colon, eliminating the risks of constipation. 

7. Accelerate Hair Growth

Did you know your hair loves nutrients such as omega-3, fiber, iron, zinc, and polyunsaturated fatty acids? The zinc in oats helps in regulating normal hair growth. Further, oats' biotin is known to fight hair problems such as dryness and hair thinning and prevent alopecia.

Start a Healthy Lifestyle with Oats From Our Farm!

Want to start a healthy lifestyle with organic overnight oats? The Merry Mill offers 100% gluten-free raw oats, which are rich in quality ingredients. Visit our website to add these porridge oatlets and flour to your cart and start a healthy and natural way of life.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup The Merry Mill Porridge Oats

1 Small banana (spotty bananas work best)

1/2 cup Nut milk

1 tbsp Cocoa powder/ hot chocolate

1/4 tsp Baking powder

Pinch of salt

Drizzle of honey or 1 tsp Vanilla Extract (to sweeten)

*This recipe makes one portion

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 Degrees Celsius and line a baking dish.

2. Mash the banana in a bowl.

3. Add the remaining ingredients and combine until you reach a runny consistency.

4. Pour into a baking tray. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes at 180 Degrees Celsius.

5. Allow to cool before serving

Serve with peanut butter or natural yogurt

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp. The Merry Mill Organic Gluten Free Porridge Oats

• 12 Small Organic Dates

• 3 tbsp. Almond Butter

• 1 scoop Vanilla protein powder

• 5-6 tbsp. Water

• 250g White chocolate

• Cacao nibs to decorate faces (optional for decoration)

  
  

Method

1. Blend the dates and water in a blender until they reach a smooth consistency

2. Gradually add the other ingredients - almond butter, oats, protein powder,

3. Once the mixture is completely blended take teaspoon sizes amounts and roll into a ball.

4. Melt 250g of chocolate and pour over each bite. Create spooky faces using cacao nibs.

5. Leave in the fridge until the chocolate sets.

This video is a movie. We are delighted to be working with Stripe to share the story of how our organic farm is growing beyond borders. Stripe financial infrastructure is an integral part of our business and one of the core reasons for our cashflow, 100% of our online sales are assisted by Stripe.

This video brings to life our family business, it shows how we operate day to day. We are still at the small stage where we can’t afford to employ anyone outside of the family. But with the support of our customers we’re hoping to get there soon. This video shows a snippet in time of our business, where we are all, living, working, and having fun together.

The Merry Mill X Stripe : the story of an organic farm growing beyond borders

Here are some photos from the day of shooting. Jamie Heaslip interviewed Kevin to find out how The Merry Mill started and what are the driving factors behind it today.

Organic Village run by National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS) – if you are interested in becoming an Organic farmer NOTS run organic and agri-food educational courses and provide support.

We had a wonderful time meeting customers, chatting with organic farmers and sharing our products with new eyes.

Local Enterprise Village – showcased innovative business ventures from each county.

Laois Taste Tent – Laois Taste Producer were centre of the Ploughing, each with their own stand alongside a product in the Laois Taste Picnic Box. The Picnic Box has delicious treats from a host of local businesses. G’s Jam, The Merry Mill, OMimo’s Chilli Madness, Mueller O’Connell Bakery, Zephyr Yard, Ballykilcavan Brewery, Moore’s Drinks and more.

Our best selling products were Organic GF Pancake Flour and Organic Porridge Oats

In August 2022 we harvested the spring oats. As part of the Kosher harvest, we had two rabbis onsite to oversee the harvest and drying process.

The kosher harvest took place over 3 days, but the preparation takes place a week in advance. The combine is fully cleaned to ensure the highest quality oats pass through with no contamination.

Our organic gluten free oats are used to make Matza crackers for the Jewish tradition of Passover.

During the harvest Kevin injured his leg. This slowed down the harvest, milling and packing in the following weeks.

(Photo below: Kevin with his sore leg in an ice bath.)

We’re here to help. In hotter weather, we have smaller appetites but still, need fuel to keep going. Here are some of our Summer favourites. Naturally, all of these options contain oats!

Overnight Oats

Light, heathy, with minimal prep - The Merry Mill’s go to breakfast this Summer.

Overnight Oats Recipe

Smoothie Bowl

A delicious cold way to eat your smoothie!

Smoothies

Freeze all of your fruit in advance to make them extra cold and soothing!

Perfect for running out the door on a warm Summer morning.

Mixed Berry Smoothie Recipe

Pancakes

Banana pancakes are always a good idea in the heat!

Gluten Free Pancake Recipe

Granola

Add fresh fruit and chopped nuts to boost the nutritional content!

Panfried Granola Recipe

Homemade Granola Recipe

Shop the breakfast range..

*Inspo photos from Pinterest

The gluten free oats are grown on our farm and milled in our gluten free oat mill under cold milling system.

Our organic oats are grown and milled locally under heat milling system.

BIGGEST DIFFERENCE : TASTE

If you are a rolled/ flaked oat lover, the oats you have eaten are most likely heat milled, making the flakes bigger, reducing cooking time. They have the familiar homely taste we all know well.

Cold milled oats are smaller and take slightly longer cooking time. They are completely raw, have a unique creamy taste and are great for your gut.

While both have great health benefits, cold milled oats contain a higher amount of resistant starch helping you feel fuller for longer.

Our greatest hit from Bord Bia Bloom was our bread recipe. It was kindly shared with us by our friend and baker, Richard. This recipe makes two loaves or one round (20cm) loaf.

It is by far the best bread recipe with oats we’ve found! We’re very proud to share it with you and announce our new product Organic Gluten Free Bread Mix, it has the finest organic ingredients for you to add to the wet ingredients.

Ingredients

• Organic Gluten Free Bread Mix

• 1 large pot of plain yogurt

• 2 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 egg

• 4 tbsp milk

• 2 tbsp sunflower oil

Method

1) Preheat the oven to 180C Fan. Line two baking trays with nonstick baking paper.

2) Add the baking soda to the yogurt (this step makes a huge difference).

3) Add porridge oats and salt into a bowl and stir.

4) Make a well in the middle of the oats, and add the yogurt and remaining ingredients.

5) Mix well and pour into two baking trays.

6) Bake in the oven for 40 minutes at 180C.

7) Remove the loaves from the tins, remove the baking paper and place back in the oven for 10 mins to brown.