Healthy Granola

I love granola, especially added into my Greek yogurt for a little crunch. The problem I find is that most granola that I see in the store isn't really that healthy. Read the label and you will see what I'm talking about. In some cases, you might just as well eat a candy bar. Today I decided to try to make some myself so that I could control what is in it. If you like your granola on the sweet side, just double the amount of sauce you pour over the oats and nuts. I think that the fruit adds just enough sweetness for my taste. Here's what you'll need: 

  • 3 C rolled oats
  • 2 C sliced almonds
  • 2 C walnuts, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 C flax seeds
  • 1/4 C dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 C honey
  • 4 TBL extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 C each of dried cherries, crystallized ginger, and coconut

 

Start my spreading the oats, nuts, and seeds on a rimmed baking sheet and baking at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.  

While the oat mixture is toasting, add the brown sugar, honey, and olive oil to a small sauce pan and heat on medium until the sugar melts. Add the vanilla and stir.

Remove the oat mixture from the oven and drizzle the sauce over the top, stirring until the ingredients are are evenly coated.

Return the granola to the oven and bake for 20 more minutes, stirring ever 5 minutes. While the granola is baking, chop the ginger and the coconut. When the granola is nice and toasted and golden brown, remove from the oven and add the dried fruit. Let cool completely then sprinkle the cinnamon over it and stir it well. I store mine in a zip lock bag. 

That's it. You can vary the flavor by using different nuts and fruits, whatever combinations you like. It's great by the handful, over yogurt or with milk for breakfast. 

Enjoy!

Lynn

Sweet and Healthy Indulgence

Technically, this is candy. However, it is also healthy. How is that possible? Everything in it is high on the list of "good for you" foods. It's got dark chocolate, dried fruit, and raw nuts. Think of it as a kind of trail mix candy. Here's what you'll need:​

  • ​1 bag dark chocolate semi-sweet chips
  • assorted raw nuts ( I used walnuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews, pecans, and macadamias)​
  • assorted dried fruit ( I used apricots, cranberries, coconut, blueberries, and cherries)​

Start by melting the chocolate chips in a bowl over simmering water until smooth.​

Chop the apricots, coconut, and macadamia nuts into small pieces. ​I left all the other nuts and fruits whole. Using a tablespoon or small scoop, drop about 3/4 tablespoon of the melted chocolate onto parchment paper and smooth it into a thin disc. Press some fruit and nuts into the soft chocolate. I used 1 kind of nuts and 1 kind of fruit in each piece, but mix and match however you like them. Refrigerate to set.

Aren't they pretty? They are like little jewel bundles. The combinations I used were:​

  • walnut and cranberry
  • pecan and apricot
  • macadamia and coconut
  • cashew and cherry
  • pistachio and blueberry

One of these is like a little energy boost. I eat one before a workout  and it helps me make it through without any problem. You could also use it as a reward after a workout. My only suggestion would be not to indulge too much, even though you'll be tempted to do just that.​

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