So as I think of my devotions, I know one of them is to help each one of you become healthier individuals by posting healthy and healing recipes on this blog. Make no mistake, this isn't mine, it is all devoted to the higher power, what I call my God. My healing is because of his strength and his reminder that I can remember how powerful each and every one of us are. However, often our desires become dangerous- the desire for money, the desire for our own personal power, the desire to have material possessions, the desire for fame, the desire for credit. We must not let these dangerous desires take precedence to our devotion.
In fact, isn't it what has got us here in the first place, we ditched real food for packaged convenient food that wasn't made by the Earth. We've ditched a hunter-gather life style for quick and easy. It has even invaded our medical field- "can't you just give me something for that, Doc?" Don't get me wrong, western medicine can be life saving, for me part of it was but had I not changed my diet and my lifestyle it would not have been nearly as effective (not to mention, my goal is to someday be a medication free household, yep that means no synthroid for me). Thing is anything that is worth anything, doesn't come with a quick fix, the solution is 100% worth working and waiting for. In fact, I think its actually more rewarding in the long run too.
So with no further ado, I adapted this recipe from The Spunky Coconut. Her recipes are amazing, but I've reduced my sweets and also cut out nuts for a little while, so I needed a new version. This turned out amazing. Make no mistake, the caloric load is high but its good for you. I ate this as I sat outside our tent in Missouri Gulch on July 5th for breakfast. I enjoyed a bowl of this amazing granola with 1/2 can of full fat coconut milk (BPA free). I utilized Natural Value Coconut Milk and buy it at our local Natural Grocers. It is pure coconut milk, no other additives so if you are avoiding gums (guar gum, etc) this is for you!
Pumpkin Seeds: are high in tryptophan, which converts to serotonin in your body. Can help you sleep :) They are also high in magnesium, which is good for your heart and is also a relaxant. Pumpkin seeds are full of easily digestible protein, which stabilizes blood sugar. Pumpkin seeds are also high in that good for you Omega 3 (we get way too much omega 6 in our country in processed foods). Omega 3's are anti-inflammatory. If not enough, pumpkin seeds are also high in zinc and iron! Iron boosts your blood and zinc is an essential mineral needed by the body for cellular metabolism! These alkalizing seeds also help to keep you regular with their fiber content.
Chia Seeds: oh I could go on and on and on about chia seeds but just make sure you ground them to get the max benefits. Chia seeds are toxin removers and pack a nutritional punch. Chia seeds contain fiber, protein, fat, calcium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin B2. If that isn't enough, here are some additional benefits: loaded with anti-oxidants, almost all the carbs are in the form of fiber (thats good for your body), high in omega 3s, contain quality protein, may improve metabolic health, and good for bone health due to the calcium, phosphorous and magnesium. All the little athletes out there- chia seeds are also beneficial for athletic performance (so ditch your bread and start grinding these little guys)!
Coconut: the next big hitter in this recipe! Although high in caloric value, they are full of saturated fat (yes, I do see this as beneficial). Coconut is a medium-chained triglyceride (MCT) fat, meaning it can boost brain function and memory. MCTS are easier to use and to digest, read more here. Coconut may even help thyroid function, Wellness Mama talks about it in her post. Coconut flakes can be a good source of iron and zinc (which helps support the immune system).
Preheat oven at lowest possible temperature, I use our warm setting. Or put in a food dehydrator (ours broke so I'm in the market for a new stainless steel one).
Ingredients :
1-2 cups pumpkin seeds (organic), soak them for 8 hours or overnight.
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut flakes
1/8-1/4 cup coconut flour (the more you use the more it will dry out wet ingredients)
1 cup applesauce (organic and no added sugar- ingredients should read apples)
2-3 drops of stevia (optional)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 cup coconut sugar
(you can reduce the sugar by reducing the coconut sugar and it still tastes just as yummy)
Mix all in a bowl and stir.
In a separate bowl mix:
2 TBSP ground chia seeds (I use our salt grinder, or can use a coffee grinder)
2 tsp cardamom
2 1/2 tsp cinnamon (I happen to love cinnamon)
1-2 tsp ginger (I use 2 tsp fresh ginger chopped as small as possible)
1/2 tsp sea salt (we use Himalayan sea salt)
Mix the two bowls together well. Spread on dehydrator trays and dehydrate overnight. Or put your oven on lowest possible temp or warm setting and line a clay cookie tray with parchment paper. Spread granola out on parchment paper and stick in the oven over night.
I like to put mine in a small bowl (about 1/2 cup) with about 1/4 cup of full fat coconut milk and it is super yummy. It also keeps me full for hours!
Nutritional Facts: 5 servings per batch
Calories: 470 ish per serving
Carbs: 25 ish
Fat: 38 ish
Protein: 14 ish
Sugar: 10 ish
*I add "ish" because each time I make this recipe I tweak it a little more*
Health is Wealth,
Heather