Granola, a staple in every household, right? It's so much easier to make your granola than you think! And did I mention, relatively cost-effective? Granola is a great way to add flavor and crunch to your oatmeal, or other favorite ways. 

Ayurvedically, granola can be great for our pitta and kapha friends. Vata folk may want to not eat pounds of granola as it can be drying to the body. 

I love having granola in my pantry ready to go even for a little mid-afternoon snack. If you know me, you know I'm a huge advocate of adding in various types of healthy fats into a diet, and with the seeds and nuts in this granola, this is the perfect mixture. Let's take it away! This granola is so incredibly easy to make. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 

Ingredients: 

• 3 cups rolled oats 
• 1/3 cup flax meal 
• 2/3 cup hemp seeds 
• 1/2 cup hazelnuts 
• 1/3 cup ghee 
• 2/3 cup maple syrup 
• 3 tsp cinnamon 
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg 
• 4 tbsp vanilla extract 
• 1/3 cup coconut flakes 
  
• 1/2 cup dried fruit of your choice (I used blueberries in this one) 
  
• 2 tsp coarse sea salt 
  
  

Recipe: 

1. Mix oats, flax meal, hemp seeds, coconut flakes, and hazelnuts in a very large mixing bowl. 
   
2. Add in the ghee, maple syrup, and vanilla. Again, mix well to make sure the whole mixture is evenly coated. 
   
3. Toss in the remaining spices, salt, and dried fruit of your choice. 
   
4. Lay evenly on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. 
   
5. Bake for 40-45 minutes at 350 degrees. 
6. Be sure to mix the/turn the granola every 10-15 minutes so that the top doesn't burn. 
7. After it's done baking, let it all come to room temperature. This will dry out the granola a little more so that you're not putting it in your airtight container oily or hot. 

Enjoy your granola with whatever your heart pleases! 

Oatmeal, I know so boring. But there is something just so comforting about a bowl of warm oatmeal, especially when all of a sudden its winter again here in North Carolina! 

One of the most important things to think through when making any dish, is the proper balance of spices to support healthy digestion, fiber, and finally protein and fats to sustain the food over a longer period of time vs. just crashing if its just oatmeal by itself. So, I like to boost my oatmeal with not only a ton of flavor, but fats and other sources of protein to ensure that I stay satiated for several hours. 

Check out the recipe, and play around with what tastes good to you! Always remember, my number 1 rule: if it doesn't taste good, it won't digest! 

Ingredients:

• ​2 cups sprouted oatmeal 
• 1 large tablespoon coconut oil or ghee 
• 10 black peppercorns freshly ground 
• Cinnamon and Clove powder to taste 
  
• Pinch of mineral salt 
• 3/4 cup water +/- (depending on how thick you like your oatmeal) 
• 2 tbsp maple syrup (or your favorite sweetener) 
• 3 tsp hemp hearts 
• 3 tsp chia seeds 
• Optional: chai masala 
  

Recipe:
Literally just mix it everything together in a pot over the stove and warm until its the consistency you love. Spoon into a bowl and enjoy. On a total side note, I've been really digging topping my oatmeal with a spoon of jam. Weird? Maybe. Delicious? Yes! 

Happy Breakfast-ing