Oh heavens! (Take 2)
When the sun came out this week I knew it would bring with it good things. Boy, was I in for a pleasant surprise!
I think it’s safe to say I was stunned, delighted, and totally honored to be Freshly Pressed by WordPress this week!
(Thank you WordPress!)
These things often happen when you ‘don’t feel ready’ as there are a few changes/additions I had been planning for this blog, but as it always goes…..you just go with it!
A favorite quote of mine from a Paul Arden book says:
So in that vein, I ‘fixed up’ a Facebook page for IPOM that you can like (or I hope you will!) it’s here, or just to the right on the sidebar – thanks so much!
I am beyond thrilled to meet all of my new (and fabulous) IPOM readers and continue to share the journey with all of you – thank you for joining me in my pursuit of finding more with (just a little) less, and a most hearty welcome!
Now let’s get going….shall we?
Love is the light. Forward is the motion.
~ Unknown
Granola is a favorite of mine.
Not in the hippie-patchouli-incense way either (though all of those things are lovingly fixed squarely in my DNA)…but the yummy, nutty, clean eating breakfast way!
Real Vanilla Extract, Real Coarse Sea Salt, Real Maple Syrup.
I love to grocery shop. I love markets, and I love color. A good grocery store is my happy place, always has been.
I avoid the center aisles as much as possible (save for pasta, pasta sauce, and boxed snacks for my cracker loving 8 year old), and this means the cereal aisle.
My dad joked to me years ago as a child that the cardboard box processed cereal comes in had more nutritional value than the sugary refined ‘dessert’ the box contained. I am sure there could be (just a little) truth to that – but regardless, I avoid food from a box as much as possible in favor of inexpensive bulk staples and fresh, colorful, inspiring foods…because (IMO) it’s just better.
One of those cheap staples is oats. Enter an easy, convenient, delicious alternative to bagged granola and boxed cereals.
This real granola is made with 100% clean, 100% natural, and 100% accessible ingredients.
You won’t feel too full after eating this, as you don’t need a lot (a little goes a long way). It’s chewy (great for mindful eating), and you don’t want to rush this, it’s just that good…….and I promise, your whole family will love it!
The Less:
Less oil means a granola with (just a little) less weight. Less sticking from no oil means a little more crunch. Less sugary refined breakfast cereals means less wasteful packages, never mind cost. Less ingredients and less steps means less time in the kitchen, so you can spend more time doing what you love.
The More:
More hearty grains, seeds, and nuts in your day means less craving for satisfaction elsewhere. More found in nature sugars means cravings for sweets will feel good (as it should!). More prepared goodness in the kitchen means more heart in the home, and there’s nothing ‘granola’ about that.
Coconut Maple Granola with Cocoa Nibs & Love
- (4) cups slow oats
- (1/2) cup shredded coconut
- (1/2) cup slivered raw almonds
- (1/2) cup raw sunflower seeds
- (1/2) cup raw pumpkin seeds
- (1/2) cup cocoa nibs (optional)
- (1/2) tsp salt
- (1/2) cup real maple syrup
- 1 tbsp real vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Combine all dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Add vanilla and maple syrup and mix well with your hands – don’t be shy!
Bake in a deep baking pan (you can also use a cookie sheet) and bake about one hour, or until dry. Make sure to mix the mixture a few times while it cooks to prevent burning and promote even cooking.
Serve with cold milk or yoghurt, and some added hemp seeds, cranberries (as shown) or with any other real ingredient you desire. This will keep in a container or glass jar indefinitely and the recipe can easily be doubled – and you’ll likely be making it often!
“The world is what YOU think of it, so think of it DIFFERENTLY and your life will change.”
~ Paul Arden, Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite
I hope you are all starting a fabulous weekend full of wonderful plans.
As for me, I’m off to arrange (finally) the kids artwork for easy viewing and storage….as these kids grow I am keenly aware that these memories are precious, so it’s a huge priority right now to honor and keep them well so they will be with us in our home forever….even if my little babies won’t.
- What’s your happy place?
- Is there a project you’ve delayed because you’re just not ready?
There’s just no time like right now to take action…I guess it’s all how you choose you look at it!
Yours in Less,
congrats again on freshly pressed! you and your blog deserve it!
and on another note, i LOVE homemade granola! i look forward to giving this recipe a try! thanks for sharing!
Thanks Madison! Very kind of you! This recipe is superb, and open to your fave variations as well! Cheers!
Wonderful! I don’t think cocoa nibs exist here, I shall look but I’ve never heard of them.
Thanks! I wish I knew where you could get them online – they aren’t totally necessary in this recipe, just add a little goodness! It’s awesome w/o too!
You can get cocoa nibs from The Meadow – they do sell online (though I don’t know if the have restrictions for where they will ship) http://www.atthemeadow.com/shop/
This looks really delicious!
Thanks Alicia!
Once you make granola once, there is no going back. Easy and so much tastier and fresher than store brands. Great recipe!
Yes! Thanks! It’s so true!
Oh, I love coconut. This looks delicious.
The coconut makes this recipe! Thanks!
This is just lovely, I made granola bars today
Yum! Going to check those out when you post them!
I’ve been planning to make granola but haven’t done it yet. Maybe tomorrow! My husband can not eat seeds so it leaves us in a bit of a fix. I can eat them but I feel bad when I have delicious treats that taunt him from the pantry. I may have to made a his and her granola. Mine with plenty of seeds and his with dried fruit.
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed! You blog always looks beautiful. I understand and agree about fixing things as you go. Sometimes you just have to get started and keep going!
Thanks so much! You are very kind! You won’t miss the seeds so long as you have the almonds and coconut!
I forgot to mention that he can’t have nut either!
But he does love coconut!
It will still be yummy…I always feel especially sensitive towards those allergic to nuts – (and seeds too – even tougher!) – and it sounds like you are an angel with it!
I was so thrilled to see you on Freshly Pressed – oh my! – awesome!! And thank you for the granola recipe w/ no added oil. I love granola but have avoided making it since I’ve (almost) nixed added oils from our diet. The addition of cocoa nibs – cool! PS lots of yummy almond milk in the ‘frige waiting for me to get creative (and find some time).
Ooh almond milk – great work! Thanks so much – the FP thing totally caught me off guard, but so much fun! I prefer cooking without oil when I can too!
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed by WordPress!! Ah-ha. Coconut and Cocoa Nibs. What a yummy idea! I’ll try it with vanilla yoghurt and fresh ruby red berries. Or perhaps with coconut ice cream in old-fashioned ice cream dishes? It looks pretty, too. (Presentation is everything, as my grandmother would say!) My happy place? Tiny grocery stores or food markets. I love the smell. They should bottle it! I’m surprised Whole Foods hasn’t yet. Or perhaps they have?! Enjoy the weekend! Theadora
Thank you Theadora! You are very sweet! Your idea of yoghurt and berries sounds heavenly – I hope you love it – oh, and ice cream? Oh my – you are just too too good! I share your happy place and am envious of your home for having the very best in the world, I am so jealous! Best to you too!! ~ S
Looks great! I’m intrigued by the concept of an oil-free granola! And you can’t go wrong with coconut.
Congrats on the feature on freshly pressed
I’m with Gabby – also intrigued by an oil free granola. It looks delish’ (as ever your pics are fabulous).
Thanks! It’s an oldie but a goodie in this kitchen
You are just too kind, as usual! xo 
Thank you Gabby!
I hope you are having a fabulous weekend!
This combination sounds great! I’d love to give this a try!
Oh thanks! I hope you do!
And I thought I was thinly one that loved caco nibs
Thanks for the recipe and nice delicious looking pictures
Glad I found the blog
Glad you found me too
– thanks for the follow! Cocoa nibs, they are wonderful! Found them through another blogger just recently – a real find! Cheers!
Oh and I was gone and missed your Freshly Pressed! Congratulations Shira, so well-deserved! Love a good granola, and This is That for sure!
Oh thank you Spree! That means a lot to me – I hope you had a good time away!
I cannot wait to make this for the next Sunday morning meal!
Good luck and enjoy!
Thanks!
Congratulations, Shira! Well-deserved, I love your blog. And I make a ton of granola but I have never tried an oil-free version. It’s obviously time! And cocoa nibs?! YES!
Thanks Emmy! You are too kind! xo
I got a fortune cookie message that said: “Try? No! Do or do not. There is no try.” So true, and rings a similar bell with your quote–love it! And congrats for being freshly pressed–a bit overwhelming huh? But WELL deserved!! xo {And this granola deserves to be in my mouth}
Thank you lovely Cara! Yes, um, it caught me a bit off guard (that’s an understatement!), but in the best possible way!! The granola will like that very much
you are too kind! xo
Just made it and it’s in the dehydrator as we speak. Can’t wait!
Yum! Wonderful!!
FRESHLY PRESSED!! I’m so stoked for you!! and also can I just say yaaaaaaaaaay for homemade granola and COCAO NIBS!!
Ha I know! Ever since you tipped me off I have found a way to sneak them into 2 recipes and they are amazing) ! How are you? Hope you are doing well!! xo
Niiiiice, they’re so yummay. And I’m doing alright Shira, thanks for asking =)
I finally made this although it isn’t exactly the same because I didn’t have all of the same items in my pantry. I love it! I snacked on a little last night then had it with almond milk this morning. SO GOOD! I’d love to put this on my blog, giving you credit of course.
Of course – I am thrilled you made it and love it! Please share – I’d be honored!
Wonderful – Happy Friday!
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