Lula's Granola

AHHH summertime. Hikes, swimming, riding bikes, playing tag, sliding down slides, treasure hunts and leaping thru the sprinkler all before noon... 

I need all the energy I can get to keep up with our active and inquisitive little girl. 

She is always bouncing..literally..ALWAYS! She's like that Tiger that's friends with the fluffy little bear. Springs in her feet and excitement about everything. 

So, to keep up the best I can I try to give my body all it needs to be nourished and healthy. One way I do this is to keep this amazing granola in the house. It is great for breakfast, as a snack, or to take along for those wonderfully busy summer days. It is packed with everything sunny and bright, just like our little girl who's name it shares. Lula. She has given it a gold star..I hope you enjoy it too!

 

Ingredients: 

1/4 Cup Tri-colored Quinoa 

3 Cups Organic Gluten Free Oats (plus 1/8 Cup you add to the finished dish)  

3 Tablespoons Flax Seeds

1/2 Cup Raw Almonds 

1/2 Cup Raw Pumpkin Seeds

1/2 Cup Chopped Pecans 

1/4 Cup Organic Sunflower Seeds

1/2 Cup Organic Rasins 

1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries 

1 teaspoon Cinnamon 

1/4 teaspoon Tumeric 

1 Tablespoon Unsweetned Cocoa Powder  (or Carob powder)

1 Tablespoon Teff Flour 

Pinch of Kosher Salt 

1/4 Cup Coconut Oil

1/4 Cup Organic No Sugar added Peanut Butter

1/4 Cup plus 1 Tablespoon Organic Wildflower Honey

1/2 Teaspoon Organic Madagascar Vanilla 

2 teaspoons Coconut Sugar 

Directions:

In a large bowl combine the first 14 ingredients ( leaving out the 1/8 cup oats for the finished granola) 

Stir well to combine. 

In a small bowl combine the Peanut Butter and Coconut oil. Warm in microwave for 10 seconds or until just melted. To the Coconut Oil mixture add the honey and vanilla, Stir. Pour over the dry ingredients and stir until well combined. 

Preheat oven to 325. On a Silpat or parchment lined cookie sheet gently pour the granola mixture and spread out to an even layer. Bake for 20 mins. Turn the heat off on your oven. Remove the cookie tray from oven and carefully stir the granola. Place back into the oven and leave the door ajar. After another 5 mins remove the granola and stir once more. Remove and place cookie sheet on a cooling rack. Let it cool stirring every 10 mins until it is cool to the touch. Sprinkle over the 2 teaspoons of Coconut Sugar and 1/8 Cup reserved Oats. Stir to combine. 

Store in an airtight container. 

Can be packed up as a good "on the go" snack, added to your favorite dairy free yogurt, or simply in a bowl with your favorite milk substitute and fresh fruit. On a chilly day you can add 1/3 Cup of the granola to 1/4 Cup milk Substitue to a bowl, stir and warm in the microwave for 1 minute.