healthy granola

Breakfast, Guest Bloggers, Recipes, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian

Guest Blogger: Kelly {Running Blonde}

Today’s recipe comes from guest blogger Kelly of Running Blonde! She’s created a protein packed granola filled with chia seeds, pecans, almonds, coconut, and dried fruit! She even broke down her recipe with the Rabbit Food Pyramid for you guys! I cannot wait to give this recipe a try! xo

Running Blonde

Hi! I’m Kelly. I’m a physician, athlete and blogger living in San Francisco, CA. On my blog I share recipes, DIY’s and travel stories. To learn more about me and what my life is like when I’m not wearing my white coat, check out Running Blonde.

chia pecan shredded coconut granola

Today I want to share a recipe for homemade granola with you. You’ve probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It’s true! An important part of your important breakfast is getting healthy protein so your body has energy to do everything you demand of it. Thanks to the pecans and almonds, this granola is protein packed. Plus, it features one of my favorite superfoods – chia seeds. These little wonders are rich in omega-3’s and fiber. This means they will help your heart and keep you feeling full all morning long.

Every time I share a granola recipe on Running Blonde, I give a little homemade granola spiel. It goes something like this – granola is one of the most flexible and most forgiving recipes ever. It’s easy to make substitutions based on your dietary needs and what you have around the home. If you are gluten intolerant, make sure you buy gluten free oats. If you are vegan, use maple syrup instead of honey. You can use any type of nut from pepitas to walnuts and any type of dried fruit. There are a few secrets to perfectly toasted granola – make sure you spread the granola out on your baking sheet evenly and not too thick. To get clusters of granola, after removing it from the oven when it is still warm, use your hands to press it gently into clumps.

chia pecan shredded coconut granola
chia pecan shredded coconut granola

Protein Packed Chia Granola
Makes about 6 cups

3 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup chopped almonds
3 Tbsp chia seeds
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup dried fruit (I used cranberries)
1/4 cup honey
3 Tbsp melted coconut oil
3/4 tsp vanilla
1 cup shredded coconut

Instructions

1. Combine the oats, pecans, chia seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

2. Stir in the dried fruit

3. Stir in the honey, coconut oil and vanilla

4. Spread evenly on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper and bake at 300F for 30 minutes, stirring halfway. Toss, sprinkle with the shredded coconut and bake another 5 minutes.

chia pecan shredded coconut granola

The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: dried fruit
Whole Grain: oatmeal
Protein: pecans, almonds, chia seeds
Plant Based Fat: coconut oil, chia seeds

Note from Catherine: Although I would usually put nuts and seeds in the “plant based fat” category, they are an excellent combined source of plant protein in this recipe!

Follow Kelly on:
Twitter: @RunBlonde
Pinterest: pinterest.com/runblonde/

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Breakfast, Recipes, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian

Quinoa Granola

Ok granola lovers, today is your day! HEALTHY GRANOLA!
Can I get a woohoo?!

Most store bought granolas are loaded with unnecessary amounts of refined sugar and contain nearly no protein. I’m a granola lover, but it’s hard for me to find a good healthy granola, so today, I made my own! Not going to lie, I burned the first batch because I forgot about the altitude here in Denver! It was totally worth it though, this granola is so delish! It has the perfect amount of crunch and sweetness with the addition of protein from quinoa. Oh ya, it’s also vegan and gluten free! I might add some raisins next time!

Quinoa Granola

Let’s talk about why this granola is so excellent!

Quinoa (keen-wah)
Quinoa is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids.
Twice the fiber over most other grains.
High in iron.
Gluten free.

Flaxseed
Fich in monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid.
Excellent source of omega-3 essential fatty acids.
Contains B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin,thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates.

Coconut
Great source of manganese.
Improves digestion with dietary fiber.
Contains plant-based healthy saturated fat, monosaturated fat, and Omega-6 fatty acids that promote weight loss and increase HDL or “good” cholesterol levels in the body.

Agave
Natural sweetener.
Lower glycemic value than regular refined sugars.

Quinoa GranolaQuinoa Granola
Makes 2 servings

1/4 cup uncooked quinoa
1 Tbsp whole flaxseed or chia seeds
1 Tbsp shredded unsweetened coconut
1 Tbsp agave
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 F. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well. Spray baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the mixture thinly on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Once the granola has started to turn a golden brown, remove from oven and let cool (this will let the granola set so you will have different sized pieces). After the granola has cooled for about 5 minutes remove from baking sheet with spatula.

You can portion this granola into halves and eat it as a little mid afternoon pick me up snack, or make it into a filling, protein packed breakfast by combining it with the following:

6oz of plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1/2 banana
1 serving of quinoa granolaQuinoa Granola
Quinoa Granola
Quinoa GranolaThe Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: banana
Whole Grain: quinoa
Protein: greek yogurt
Plant Based Fat: flaxseed and shredded coconut

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