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Saturday, August 7, 2010

Granola, Past and Present


I haven't made it in a long time, but I like to read about the chow over at Pancakes and Pajamas, and Linday posted a recipe of some granola she'd made. What I noticed first, was that this was not my mother's granola!

Mind you, I LOVED the granola my mom made while I was growing up. Her recipe was loaded with oats, wheat germ, sesame seeds, honey, oil, nuts, and dried fruit. My favorite part was getting a big clump of oats and honey. Yummy!

But I have to say, Lindsay has solved one of the problems I had with that recipe: I don't want to load my family down with sugars (from that honey), nor did I want to pour oil in just to get those clumps. And clumps make the granola, if you know what I mean.

So, (if you haven't already looked at that recipe!) I switched to the use of nut butter!! What a genius idea. Lindsay, if you're reading, THANK YOU!!! I can't add wheat germ unless I want to poison my gluten-free husband, so I use ground flax seed instead. In place of the maple syrup (which I bet tastes SO good), I'm using some chicory root extract for natural, no-sugar sweetness. I throw in chopped walnuts, cinnamon, and raisins. And, ta-da! I have a granola that my girls and husband love, and it's loaded with crazy-healthy stuff.

I tossed some on top of unsweetened Greek yogurt and had a nice little snack the other day. I imagine some berries would make it perfect. If this batch of granola lasts long enough, I may have to run and pick up some blueberries to add to my next bowl of Greek Granola Goodness.

9 comments:

  1. wow...this sounds like a great idea. I really love granola...but every time I look at the calories I am shocked. I dont know why, I am sure there isnt going to be a change! But this is a great idea and so healthy. thanks for sharing!

    Jennifer
    http://wecanlosethepounds.blogspot.com/

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  2. Thanks for stopping by my blog! :D

    I actually never thought of using nut butters to keep it together - what a great idea!

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  3. I haven't made granola in YEARS...nut butter sounds like such a great idea!

    I'm going to make some for my kids this week. I hope they like it!

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  4. Thanks for sharing your favorites on my blog! I love to find new foods that are good for me. I love the zero vitamin water too. have you ever tried the Sobe life 0 calorie water? Those are good too. maybe even a little sweeter? Where do you get those La Nouba marshmallows? I would love to try them. Is the sugar free dove something I can get at walmart?

    Jennifer
    http://wecanlosethepounds.blogspot.com/

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  5. Whoa! Nut butter is an amazing idea! Thanks for posting this, I think I'm going to try it out!

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  6. I have a jar of almond butter in my pantry and I've been afraid to try it, I think you have inspired me.
    The granola looks delish!

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  7. Yum! What a terrific idea to use nut butter. I love granola.

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  8. So glad you made the granola and loved it! :) I'm actually going to make a batch tonight. Have a great day!

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  9. Ha ha! just read your leg compliment, thank you for that I think ;-) LOL!

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