Granola Gang

I think one of my all time favorite breakfast foods has got to be granola. There’s something just magical and amazing about granola. It’s almost hard to explain. Is it the crunch or the sweet I like so much. Is it that it fills me up so well and keeps me going for hours? It maybe that its a magnet for toppings and I can mix all my favorite nuts, seeds and dried fruit in. Whatever it is, granola does add a pep to my step and there’s no breaking us up.

Oats are an amazing food all by themselves though. You’ve probably heard that eating oats can help lower cholesterol. But you probably never realized that oats are also a source of protein. Yup. Oats are a power food that you gotta keep in your kitchen. When you break down oats into its different components you’ll find it has fiber, minerals, carbs (good carbs), fat ( good fat) and protein. This food helps you stay full for hours which helps you avoid snacking. It helps lose weight, control your blood sugar and has been shown to enhance your mental performance. This is just the short list.

Oats are an excellent choice for breakfast. Add some fruit, nuts and seeds and you’re ready to take on the world.

Since you’ve joined me on this journey I’ve been having fun in the kitchen creating recipes I think you would love. One thing I’ve noticed is that I am a sucker for recipe simplicity. Have you seen those recipes that call for 7/8 of a teaspoon of something. Well that’s not me. It takes me a while to figure out 7/8 of a teaspoon of anything and I’m for sure not putting those measurements in any recipes I create. You have my word on that.

The kids and I have been making our own granola for years. This recipe is one of our favorites. Its easy and guaranteed to be a hit in your home.

10 cups oatmeal (quick or whole rolled)

1 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)

1 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup pecan pieces

1 tsp sea salt

1 cup water

1 cup olive oil

1 cup maple syrup

1 Tbsp maple extract (can replace with vanilla)

Directions: Mix dry ingredients and wet ones in separate bowls. Pour wet ingredients over dry and stir all together very well. Next spread mixture evenly onto two baking sheets. Bake at 175 degrees F overnight.