nutrient focus: beta glucan (a dietary fiber) // beta glucan may help lower your cholesterol (total & LDL -the “bad”) & may reduce your risk for heart disease 

I made this granola for the first time a few months back and posted it on my IG @mrsnutritionista // I love this recipe because you probably have most (at least some!) of these items in your pantry // I haven’t done any price comparison calculations for this recipe due to myself having so many of the ingredients at home, but I do know that you definitely save dollars when making granola at home versus many store bought granolas! //

Ingredients & Kitchen Tools:

• 3 cups of gluten free old fashioned oats (for non-gluten free, regular oats work of course!)
• 1 cup of nuts (I like the idea of slivered almonds, chopped pecans, or chopped walnuts- or all 3 mixed!)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (hate coconut? keep it out!)
• 3 tbsp light brown sugar
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup honey (raw for the highest nutritional value!)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup dried fruit (I like dried cranberries!)
• small saucepan to heat honey and oil
• large mixing  bowl
• 13 x 18 baking sheet (standard size) lined with parchment paper

:: Prep: chop nuts, if needed:: Preheat oven to 300 degrees F :: Yield: about 5 cups of granola::

1. in a bowl combine 3 c of oats + 1 c of nuts + 1/2 c unsweetened shredded coconut + 3 Tbsp of brown sugar + 3/4 tsp cinnamon + 1/3 tsp ground ginger + 1/4 tsp salt (aka everything but the honey, oil, & fruit!)
2. heat 1/3 c honey + 2 Tbsp vegetable oil in a saucepan until smooth, then pour this mixture over the granola & mix
3. spread granola evenly on the parchment paper lined baking sheet
4. bake at 300 for 40 minutes until golden brown **remove granola from oven to stir every 10 minutes**
5. after baking, remove granola, let granola cool, then stir in 1 cup of dried fruit
6. store in airtight container & enjoy!

Ways to Enjoy Granola

• On its own
• With Homemade Almond Milk
• On top of a smoothie
• On a smoothie bowl
• On top of fresh or baked fruit
• On top of Yogurt, Frozen Yogurt, Nice or Ice Cream, etc.!
• On top of any Toast spread with Almond, Sun, Peanut, or Cashew Butter
• Chocolate lover? Mix in cacao nibs or chocolate chips

recipe source: epicurious.com

Happy, Healthful Eating!

-the mrs.