The New Breakfast of Champions

I remember as a little girl going to the grocery store cereal aisle, looking up at the magical boxes glistening and gleaming.  So many choices and options to pick from and so so so much sugar!  Sometimes, as a special treat, I was allowed to have a box of my favorite - Lucky Charms!  Most times though, it was just Cheerios and I always had to eat it with fruit.  

I try to avoid the cereal aisles now, just in case I get sucked into some fruity, chocolaty, marshmallowy box of deliciousness.  Even the muesli and granola, the grown up cereal, isn't much better as most are loaded with sugar.. even homemade.  That is until now people!

I would like to introduce Bridget's Mame's Granola.  Bridget, from tales of me and the husband posted this recipe that her Mom makes.. and let me tell you, it is amazing (so is her blog, check it out as she is one of my favorites).  It has every bit of healthy about it but doesn't taste like dust.  I mean just look at a few of the ingredients and their benefits:

• Wheat Germ: packed with B vitamins, fiber and protein (just 2 Tablespoons contain 4 grams protein and 2 grams of fiber).  
• Sunflower Seeds: Great source of vitamin E and rich in magnesium
• Bran: fiber people, fiber
• Sesame Seeds: aka super seeds, have essential minerals such as manganese, copper, iron, phosphorus and calcium.  There is zinc, phytosterols (lowers bad cholesterol) and antioxidants that fight free radicals.. the list goes on.
• Coconut Oil: Oh coconut oil.. the list is long and this oil is not only used on food.  It can help with skin, stress, cholesterol, weight loss, immunity support, digestion, metabolism, heart diseases, diabetes and dental health to name a few.

This is how I made the granola, as I doubled it.  You can check out the original recipe here.

• 6 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup pecan pieces (previous batch was with walnuts - both great)
• 1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
• 1/2 cup bran
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 2 Tablespoons vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 F (177 C).  Combine all ingredients and place on sheet pan for 15-20 minutes.  I give it a bit of a shuffle half way through.  Let cool, then break apart and store in an airtight container.  

To serve, I follow Bridget's advice and eat the granola with yogurt and pineapple (from a can).  I really wish I could eat it for every meal.. sometimes, I do.  It. is. that. good.  Thanks Bridget and Mame, I owe you one!

Stay tuned for a recipe in turning this granola into healthy cookies.  What do we say... yummers!