Granola

My friend Autumn gave me this recipe, she calls it Granola from Heaven:

5 cups mixed nuts of choice, raw & unsalted
   (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, cashews)
1 1/2 cups mixed seeds of choice, raw & unsalted
    (sunflower seeds, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds)
4 cups unsweetened coconut
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon coriander
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup brown sugar

Mix all ingredients together - Split between two cookie sheets - Bake @ 275 degrees for about 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes - Enjoy
Sweet variation:  add your favorite dried fruit to the mix when finished baking.

I never use coriander because I don't have that spice and for better digestion I use soaked crispy nuts. You can find out about soaked crispy nuts from the cookbook Nourishing Traditions.

Oatmeal Yes and No

I was asked today if Oatmeal is Gluten Free.  Is it?  Yes and No.  Oats are gluten free, however they are handled and grown in the same fields and processing centers as other grains. I buy gluten free oats, the Bob's Red Mill brand, I can get it in my grocery store or buying club.

Is oatmeal good for you?  Yes and No.  Oatmeal is nutritious if prepared correctly.  If you are not soaking your oatmeal, don't eat it every day.  Grains that are prepared improperly bind up the nutrients and also damage the gut lining. 

Oatmeal is a carbohydrate, so if you are over weight and you eat oatmeal, eat it with lots of butter and/or coconut oil.  Try to add as little sweetner as you can.  I like oatmeal with maple syrup, butter, coconut oil and blueberries.  I don't eat oatmeal for breakfast, I eat eggs. 

If I don't eat oatmeal, why do I buy it? I use the gluten free oatmeal as the bread crumbs when I make meatloaf or meatballs. My daughter uses oatmeal to make no-bake cookies.

Leftover meatloaf

I had some leftover meatloaf and this is what I did.
Warm in pan with a little fat, I used tallow.

Shape the meat in a nest.

Drop an egg in the center. Let it cook for a bit.

Gently flip. Cook a little more.

Enjoy.
This is quite tastey.

Soaked Pancakes

These pancakes were made from the recipe in Nourishing Traditions, I used whole wheat pastry flour and soaked it in kefir for 24 hours. In the morning added melted butter, eggs, baking and soda and salt. Very easy.
These pancakes are ready to flip.

Date Apple Granola

I made this recipe from Sue Gregg's, More than Breakfasts..., I think it is quite delicious. In the picture you can see how I eat it. First slice a banana in the bottom of the bowl, then sprinkle granola on top, then top with some frozen berries, drizzle with honey if you like, add a few egg yolks (yes egg yolks). After this I pour raw milk over and let it set just a bit, stir it together and eat for a satisfying breakfast.

1. Combine juice concentrate and vanilla; add dates and apples; let stand several hours or overnight to soften fruit:
two 12oz. cans frozen apple juice concentrate, unsweetened (thawed)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup date pieces or chopped fresh dates, packed
1 cup dried apples, unslufered
2. Soak almonds in salted water for 7 hours or overnight.
1 cup whole almonds, raw unroasted
filtered water to cover + 1/2 teaspoon salt
STAGE 1
3. Drain almonds; grind finely in blender or food processor. Place in large mixing bowl.
4. Puree the undrained soaked fruit mixture. Add to bowl with ground almonds.
5. Add oats, more date pieces to the bowl, mix well, cover and let stand 12-24 hours.
10 cups rolled oats
1 cup date pieces
STAGE 2
6. Spread mixture in single layer on dehydrator shelves. I covered mine with parchment paper. Dehydrate 6 hours until fairly dry, but not bone dry. It will crisp as it cools. or you can bake 200degrees 3-4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes.
7. Let stand on shelves 2-3 hours to complete drying out. Break any large clumps with fingers and store in jars in refrigerator.

I used my dehydrator and I did not store mine in refrigerator because it will be gone to fast. I think I dehydrated mine for too long, longer than the six hours stated and it is a bit chewey. I think it will make fantastic granola bars, but I have not tried it yet.

Breakfast and Cauliflower

The left over cauliflower is great with eggs for breakfast. Take some coconut oil and melt it in your egg pan. Add left over cauliflower, stir until warm, pour scrambled eggs over, cook until done. Add cheese if you like. I think my daughter added some leftover rice too.