I am bringing something totally different than client sessions to the blog today.  We are talking about one of my favorite subjects – FOOD!  I am in no way great in the kitchen.  I know the basics and I definitely stick to those!!  I also try to eat pretty healthy so we tend to make as much from scratch as we can in our house.  

**Disclaimer:  I am NOT, in any way, a food blogger!  This isn’t fancy.  I’m not giving you all the nutritional information – you can use My Fitness Pal for that.  I am simply giving you a recipe that my family loves! **

My kids eat yogurt almost daily.  I personally won’t eat it unless there is granola on it (it’s just better that way, am I right?).  The problem is that store bought granola can be SO bad for you!  Some of them aren’t terrible.  I just don’t have the time to sit at a the store reading all the ingredients and macros to figure out which one to buy.  And they are kind of expensive.  So, obviously, we just make our own!  

I know, I know..roll your eyes.  Who has the time to make granola?  YOU!  Trust me!  You have the 5 minutes, or less, that it takes to whip it up and pour it on the pan.  Once it is done, you will be so glad you made this.  This recipe makes 4 cups!  That is a LOT of granola so it will last you a few weeks, minimum. 

We have made this granola with almonds, pecans, pumpkin, coconut flakes.  There are tons of options to switch it up when you want.  You could add a little extra syrup to make it sweeter or cut back some if you don’t want the sugar.  

This recipe is mostly a base for you to use it as you like, but it is SUCH a good recipe.  Plus, you are seeing what goes into it and you know it isn’t bad for you.

Granola isn’t just for yogurt…we eat it:
–   by itself for a snack
–  with ice cream
–  on top of cooked apples
–  with milk
–  on top of oatmeal
–  with a bowl of mixed fruit
–  however you want! 

If you make this recipe, let me know what you think in the comments!

Preheat your oven to 325.

The base of the granola is obviously – oats!  Make sure you choose old fashioned oats.  You can use any brand you prefer.  Pour the oats into a large mixing bowl.

Next, mix the salt, cinnamon, and pecans (or other type of nut you choose) in with the oats.

The next step can be down on the stove top or the microwave.  Heat up the coconut oil until it is melted.  Remove the oil from the heat or from the microwave.  Mix in the maple syrup.  Once they are mixed together, add the vanilla and mix well.

Slowly add the wet ingredients to the oat mixture and mix well!  Make sure you get all of the oats covered.

Lay parchment paper on a baking sheet then pour the granola on top of that.

Put the baking sheet in the oven.  The granola cooks for 40-45 minutes.  Take the granola out and stir every 15 MINUTES!  This is  c r u c i a l !!  If you just leave it for those 45 minutes, without ever stirring it, the granola will cook & harden together.  You will basically have one giant granola bar.  Also, it is more likely to burn if you don’t stir it.

Allow the granola to cool before putting it in a jar or container to store.  We like to keep it in a mason jar on the counter just because it’s pretty.

Enjoy!!

Easy Granola Recipe

Ingredients:
4 cups old fashioned oats
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon (or more if you want)
1/3 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans (or any other add-in you want)

Instructions:

1. Preheat over to 325.
2. Pour oats in a large mixing bowl.
3. Add salt, cinnamon, & pecans ( or any dry mix-ins you chose)
4. Mix well.
5. Melt coconut oil on the stovetop or in the microwave.
6. Remove pan from heat on the stove or remove from microwave.
7. Stir syrup in with the oil.
8. Once they are mixed together well, add the vanilla and stir.
9. Slowly pour the wet mixture over the oat mixture.
10. Stir until all oats are coated.
11. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour granola over top.
12. Add baking sheet to the oven.
13. Cook for 40-45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes!  You MUST stir it throughout the cooking process.
14. Once it is done, remove the granola from the oven and allow it to cool completely.

ENJOY!

XOXO

Caiti