Favorite Granola

I'm a granola fanatic. Anytime. Anyplace. Im always down for some granola. This happens to be my favorite "basic" recipe. From this starter recipe I switch up the flavors by changing the extracts I use and dried fruits. This week I wasn't feelin the whole dried fruit thing so I left the usual raisins and apricots out. Whatever you like though!

-1/4 Cup Olive oil

-1/4 Cup grade B Maple Syrup

-1 tsp salt

-1 tsp pure vanilla extract

-2 Cups rolled oats

-1 Cup un-sweeteend flaked coconut

-1 Cup sliced almonds

-1 Cup  roasted salted sunflower seeds

Combine the wet ingredients and mix well. Add in the dry ingredients and combine well. Spread evenly on a prepared cookie sheet. Bake at 325, stirring every 7-8 minutes until all is browned to your liking. Takes approximately 20-25 minutes. 

Purple Power Smoothie Bowl

The winter blues are such a downer. Crazy weather, not being able to get outside, getting in a rut with our diet. Ugh. This smoothie will help get you out of that rut and add more vibrancy to your diet. Phytochemicals are ohh so important to the body as they help with overall health and disease prevention. Science isn't quite there with knowing the exact ins and outs of what role each phytochemical specifically plays, but we can all agree that they are good stuff and we should eat more of them:) Heres a little info on a few of the easiest ones to get in daily!

Blue/Purple Fruits and Veggies- Anthocyanins- the darker the hue the better-think beets!

Green Fruits and Veggies- Isothyocyanates-  Think Broccoli, Brussels sprouts! 

Red Fruit and Veggies- Lycopene- Functions better in the body when the produce is cooked such as cooked tomatoes!

Purple Power Smoothie

1/2 cup Vanilla low fat yogurt

8 Strawberries

1/2 cup frozen Blueberries

1/2 cup raw Spinach

1/4 cup baby Carrots

1/2 Banana frozen if you'd like it icy or raw if not

1/4 cup Oats (optional)

1/2 - 1 cup Water to thin

Blend all ingredients very very well. No chunks. To make this vegan substitute your favorite non dairy yogurt! Makes 2 servings. Serve in a glass or make it like a smoothie soup in a bowl for breakfast!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Valentines Day calls for some fun, healthful treats! Molten lava cakes are my absolute favorite, butttt I'm trying to keep it on the lighter side today. I use the darkest chocolate I can find, but semi-sweet or milk will work too. The darker you get on the chocolate scale the less sugar it contains. Chia seeds add a nice crunch and a good dose of healthy fats, but any small "crunchy" thing will do! 

-1 package strawberries; washed and dried, tops left on

-1  1/2 bars  Endangered Species 88% Dark Chocolate

-Sprinkling of chia seeds or any other favorite topping. Chopped roasted almonds, peanuts, or other candies work well!

Melt chocolate in a double boiler or you can do this in 30 second increments in the microwave. Dip each strawberry into the chocolate and place on parchment or wax paper. Sprinkle with topping while drying.