celiac-granola

So, we all know that not all calories are created equal and if health was simply a matter of consuming the magic number’s worth of calories, there would be no need for healthy food information, right? It’s about nutrition, people. It’s not about your 100 calorie pack of Oreos (that I hope none of you are eating) and more about the one ingredient foods filled with antioxidants, fiber, omega 3’s, healthy fats and lean proteins.

cranberry-granola

If you take a look at a few snack options such as empty calorie snacks such as processed bags of chips or chocolate- you’re getting the caloric content in the form of hydrogenated oils in the chips and in the form of refined sugar with the chocolate but there is ZERO nutritional value. What’s worst is that these highly refined, highly processed foods actually end up depleting your body of vital nutrients.

healthy-granola-recipe

The result?

easy-granola-recipe

Well, that’s an excess of calories and a deficiency in nutrition, which leads to food cravings.

Empty calorie foods like chips and candy lack the vital nutrients that our bodies need to run optimally. High sugar foods end up slowing down our metabolism and even though so many point system diets may value an orange and a candy bar as the same because they have the same number of calories, the quality is different. The orange is packed with nutrients and the candy bar is void of any nutritional value. The orange will help your immune system, your cells, your mitochondria and much more.

Make sense?

gluten-free-granola

So, today I thought a healthy granola recipe would be the perfect way to show off a fun and healthy snack that you can enjoy without the empty calories and chemicals. Sound good to you?

I hope so.

granola-recipe

Get your oven ready – you’re gunna love this recipe!

homemade-granola

Try to buy everything organic. Here’s why: The Benefits of Eating Organic.

Gluten-Free, Paleo Homemade Cranberry Granola
Serves: 6
 
Prep
Cook
Total
 
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Peanut-Free, Soy-Free, Grain-Free, Vegetarian, Paleo
Author: Amie Valpone
Recipe type: Entree

Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw almonds
  • 1 cup pecans
  • 3 Tbsp. flax seeds
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1/3 cup shredded coconut flakes
  • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp. coconut oil melted
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries or any other dried fruit you have such as raisins

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
  2. Combine all ingredients (except cranberries) in a large mixing bowl; toss to combine to ensure everything is coated with maple syrup and vanilla extract.
  3. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking sheet.
  4. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until desired crispiness. Remove from the oven; set aside to cool for 10 minutes before serving; add dried cranberries and toss to combine.
  5. Recipe will keep in a sealed container in the fridge for a week.
Nutrition Facts
Gluten-Free, Paleo Homemade Cranberry Granola
Amount Per Serving
Calories 412 Calories from Fat 315
% Daily Value*
Fat 35g54%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Sodium 5mg0%
Potassium 368mg11%
Carbohydrates 21g7%
Fiber 8g33%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 9IU0%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 109mg11%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

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84 comments

  1. I am confused by this recipe. Am I to assume that you chop up the almonds and pecans? In the picture of the granola it looks like all the ingredients are small. Just didn’t see anything in the directions regarding this.

  2. I see several references in the comments to the use of nut butter in this granola recipie. I went back over the recipie and your post several time but do not see any reference to he addition of nut butter. Are we supposed to process the 2 nuts together as I don’t see any whole nuts in the pictures.

  3. I have a wee question.
    Ther are references to nut butter in this recipe. But it’s not in the ingredients list. .?
    I’m new (as in day one) to freeing myself from sugar 🙂
    Can anyone enlighten a confused kiwi … 😉

  4. Thanks to my father who shared with me concerning this blog, this blog is
    really remarkable.

  5. Hi, This looks great but I can’t have sugar of any kind so honey is Maple Syrup are out. What could I use instead? I like the almond butter idea and wonder if I could try that to clump it and use xylitol for the sweetner?