Nutritionists strive on how vital it is to begin each day with a substantial meal. Among the slew of researched health benefits of eating first thing in the morning, are increased alertness, ability to concentrate, and having better problem solving skills. Serious perks, right?!
Although, skipping breakfast makes no dirty dishes.
I despise dirty dishes.
This week was a mess. I was all over the place. nuts. bonkers. off my rocker, emotionally that is.
I didn’t really think much about food. It was coffee, coffee, coffee. At night wine, or tea. . mostly wine. And cheese. Lots of cheese, now that I think about it.
I don’t even want to know what a nutritionist would have lectured about that diet.
After a week of that mess, I was determined to start this one anew, bearing my feelings with equanimity.
While walking around my Manhattan neighborhood early Saturday morning, it was easy to look around and see how fortunate I really am. I walked by at least 15 men and women asleep on cement. It opened my eyes to how minuscule my problems are. How half full my glass is. Or totally full, even.
All too often we take for granted what we already have, and get swept away in the cycle of wanting more more more. At least, I do. Wandering home, with these thoughts still fresh, I decided to not stop off at the store, and instead go home and take a look at what I already had.
With most things it seems, at first glance I saw nothing that would satisfy me. I headed out the door to go buy a bag of granola, and 4 steps down realized I had everything in my cupboards I needed to make it. Gleefully, I hopped back up the steps got to work.
Granola is vastly adaptable, which to me, makes it even more attractive. Add whatever you please, twist it around and make it all your own. The base to granola is old fashioned oats. Then you can really take it wherever you want.
I am obsessed with coconut right now, so I added a cup of sweetened shredded coconut, giving it a toasty taste of the tropics
To sweeten things up I added brown sugar.
Almonds, cashews, pistachios, and sunflower seeds gave it body and a major crunch factor.
Honey is sticky and helps form those great clusters. How sweet.
Vanilla is pure and delicate. This one has bourbon in it. I like bourbon.
Cinnamon gives spice and warmth. Despite your bittersweetness, I love you. You make me feel home.
Oil makes it crispy. crunch crunch.
Maple syrup. What a sweet sap, it is.
Salt plays nicely with all the sweetness going on here. What a grand mineral it is.
It all came together in about an hour and a half, and made enough to last me the week.
I doubled this recipe and dropped off a bag each to a few of the homeless guys who sleep on my block. No one should skip breakfast, it is after all, the most important meal of the day. Now, go make some granola for the upcoming week. You’ll be one step ahead of the game by already having a satisfying breakfast all ready for you to enjoy! If your feeling generous, double your batch and drop some off to the people you care about. I bet it would make them smile, and think your real nice. Which you are, of course.
Crunchy Nut Granola
3 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup shredded sweet coconut
1/4 cup almonds (chopped)
1/4 cup cashews
1/4 cup pistachos (meat only)
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/8 cup honey
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 cup dried cranberries
Directions:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. In a large bowl combine oats, nuts, sunflower seeds, coconut, and brown sugar. In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, honey, oil, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon. Combine both mixtures until small clusters begin to form. Divide evenly on two baking sheets and cook for an hour and 15 minutes. Making sure to stir every 15 minutes or so that the granola achieves an even color. Remove granola from oven and transfer into very large bowl. Mix in the cranberries and stir until they are even distributed. Store in an airtight container to keep fresh.
megan {a dash of megnut} says
oh my goodness. this looks so good! i love making granola- i just made some peanut butter granola. but I definitely need to try this version this week. thanks so much for stopping by my blog and your kind comments. im glad i was able to link back to check out your blog. i love it!
Minnie says
I just made this and it came out delicious! I added a little bit of strawberry puree for extra sweetness
bakerbynature says
That makes me delighted; what a great idea adding strawberry puree.
sheila @ Elements says
Your granola looks and sounds so good! And my eyes teared up when I read you gave some to the homeless guys on your street. That’s just so kind, and we need more people in the world like you.
bakerbynature says
your too sweet! Thank you Sheila