Meredith's Granola

Nothing can beat that wholesome taste of good old homemade granola. I have been lucky enough to get to snack on this hearty delicacy since I was little. My dad has been making his own granola ever since his college days....usually to prepare for vigorous days on the ski slopes during the winter. This favorite snack of his has of course made its way to my routine as well. Once I got to college, I wanted to experiment with some new flavors and ingredients. 

Though a lot of granola can start you off with a lot of energy, a lot of store bought granola is very misleading and contains an immense amount of sugar and unwanted fats. One of the main ingredients that has made its way to the popular version of granola is none other than butter! This is totally fine, just know that if you are opting for a healthy start, carefully read the ingredients on your granola package before you assume that you have made a wiser decision than fruit loops. I am not saying that you should completely eliminate these other tasty versions of this oat-filled snack. Just be aware of what you are actually putting into your body. 

Recently, I have noticed more and more people around me reporting to have celiac disease, meaning their bodies are unable to process gluten. These poor, poor souls! But not to worry, there are plenty of delicious gluten-free options available today, including granola! One of these unfortunate souls is my good friend Meredith. She is living proof that living with celiac can be just as satisfying as someone who can digest gluten successfully.  When she mentioned that she has been eating granola everyday for breakfast, I quickly decided that I needed to create the ultimate gluten-free yogurt topper for my good friend.

The basis of granola is oats. Naturally, oats are in fact gluten-free! Unfortunately it is during the processing of oats that they can be contaminated with gluten. If you are opting for the gluten-free diet, always check the ingredients and warning signs for gluten! Unfortunately, the popular Quaker Oats brand is usually contaminated with gluten. Granola can be a very individually unique snack, as you have the choice of ingredients during the mixing process. This recipe can serve as a basis for you to work off of, or enjoy it in its entirety. Drop the blueberries, replace them with dried cranberries, or get rid of the coconut and add chocolate chips. This is your snack....personalize! Being big fans of coconut and berries, Meredith and I both approve of this variation of healthy granola.

Ingredients:

-3 cups Oats

-1 cup Bran

-1/2 cup Shredded Coconut

-1/2 cup olive oil (can use sunflour oil)

-1/2 cup agave (can use honey)

-2 tbsp Cinnamon

-1 tsp Cloves

-1/3 cup Sucanat (can use sugar or brown sugar)

-1/2 cup Dried Blueberries

-1/2 cup Flax Seeds

1. Preheat the oven 300 degrees F.

2. Mix all dry ingredients, except sucanat, in large bowl and set aside.

3. In a saucepan, dissolve water, agave, olive oil, and sucanat over medium heat.

4. Pour liquid mixture over dry mixture and stir.

5. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring mixture every 10 minutes.

6. Let cool. Time to eat up! or save in a closed/sealed container.