Chocolate Cherry Breakfast Smoothie

Chocolate & Cherry Smoothie-1

Life offers up some sweet moments.  Many are obvious, but far more interesting are the ones you have to pay attention to…  the not-so-obvious.  The space between.  The silence between the notes.  The pause between the inhale and the exhale.   These are the gems.   This is where I find that place that feels worthy of pause, of wonder, of contemplation, of curiosity.  

So, while I was aimlessly scrolling the internet one evening, I just about breezed by this article: “Jennifer Aniston Shares Her Signature Breakfast Smoothie.”  I paused, though, when I saw the opening line, “What did it take for Jennifer Aniston to squeeze into that glittering Saint Laurent dress…?”   …and I chuckled and the inner monologue started.  Now I was hooked; I kept reading.  What did it take, how did she do it?…  I purposely skipped past the part that said “In addition to exercising 4-5 days a week…” and saw that Jen “starts each day with a healthy homemade shake.”  Oh yes, a shake…  I can do that.  

Chocolate & Cherry Smoothie

Whether you’ve had a chocolate covered cherry or black forest cake, you’re probably well aware that chocolate and cherries are a classic pair.  Oh yes, chocolate and cherries are good for your SOUL…  but the combo in this smoothie is good for your soul wrapper too! 

Chocolate almond milk, frozen banana, cherries, blueberries, organic raw almonds, Maca root powder, vegan chocolate protein powder (I’ve grown attached to Vega Protein & Greens), and just a couple drops of liquid stevia.  

I’m glad I stopped and read further.  I’m glad I got past my drink-this-smoothie-look-like-Jen-Aniston snort laugh (and trust me, I’d drink a helluva lot of smoothies to look like her!).  Because, I found a wonderful, easy, naturally sweet, healthy, smoothie.  It’s my go-to morning shake.

I love finding the sweetness in the not-so-obvious… 

Chocolate & Cherry Smoothie

While I’m reveling in unexpected sweetness, I find that lately –in the midst of seeming chaos– I’m paying more attention to the delicate space between the craziness.  I’m nurturing this perspective.  I’ve been shifting focus from the disaster to the rescuer, from the problem to the volunteer  …to the grass-root solution.   …a donation made.   …the community engaged.  

I didn’t quite expect to find myself at the Women’s March in Washington DC last month.  I don’t do crowds.  Certainly, not 500,000-large crowds.  But, I felt compelled to go.  No sign, no plan.  Just me, feeling like I needed to be a part of our great democracy in action.  I piled into the Metro.  And, what seemed like an eternity later, I was birthed out of L’Enfant Metro stop, moving in a sea of people with pink hats and funny-witty-punchy-serious-naughty-poignant-creative signs.  

Moments later, at Independence and 6th Street, and surrounded by more people than I felt comfortable with, I climbed a tree, nestled between two limbs, and perched there for 5 hours listening to Gloria Steinem, Michael Moore, Alicia Keys, Senator Duckworth, Madonna, and many others.  I didn’t go to see these people; I had no idea they’d be there.  But, I appreciated each speaker.  I heard them:  stand up, take action.  

As far as the march goes…  It took a heckofa long time to actually start moving.  The march route was so packed we were wedged in place for hours; but then a budge, and then a few feet, and then we walked for miles.  It was peaceful.  It was powerful.  It was a day that I pledged: from now on don’t complain, do something.  It was a special day.  There was a sweetness in it I was not expecting.    

But, you clicked on this link because you were looking for something sweet  …like chocolate cherry sweet.  Keep scrolling…

Women's March Washington DC-16

Chocolate & Cherry Smoothie

 As we become purer channels for God’s light, we develop an appetite for the sweetness that is possible in this world. A miracle worker is not geared toward fighting the world that is, but toward creating the world that could be.

~ Marianne Williamson

Chocolate Cherry Breakfast Smoothie
Serves 1
Chocolate and cherries combine in a naturally sweet and healthy smoothie. This is soon to become your go-to, guilt-free morning shake!
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Prep Time
5 min
Total Time
5 min
Prep Time
5 min
Total Time
5 min
562 calories
99 g
3 g
13 g
20 g
1 g
990 g
77 g
74 g
0 g
8 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
990g
Servings
1
Amount Per Serving
Calories 562
Calories from Fat 92
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 13g
20%
Saturated Fat 1g
5%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 3mg
1%
Sodium 77mg
3%
Total Carbohydrates 99g
33%
Dietary Fiber 13g
54%
Sugars 74g
Protein 20g
Vitamin A
29%
Vitamin C
37%
Calcium
84%
Iron
29%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
  1. 1 cup unsweetened chocolate almond milk
  2. 1 cup frozen cherries
  3. 1 cup frozen blueberries
  4. 1/2 frozen banana
  5. 1 cup ice
  6. 1 scoop chocolate flavor vegan protein powder
  7. 1/2 tablespoon maca powder
  8. 2-3 drops of liquid sweetener or stevia
  9. 10 raw almonds
Instructions
  1. Place all ingredients in blender with the liquids first. Blend until smooth.
Notes
  1. Initially spotted on the InStyle.com fashion magazine. What a great find!
beta
calories
562
fat
13g
protein
20g
carbs
99g
more
TraveLynn Eats https://www.travelynneats.com/

Chocolate & Kale Detox Smoothie

Smoothie, Vegan, Vegetarian | January 4, 2017 | By

chocolate kale smoothie

I am easing into 2017.  You have to admit, 2016 was a bit of a doozy…  If you’re like me (a child of the 70s & 80s), the loss of David Bowie, Prince, George Michael and Princess Leia were mighty blows!  (& these were just a few of the many revered popular and significant figures that left us…)  So, not to get dark on you, but… OUCH.  I won’t even get into the political drama that ensued this year.  2016–COME ON!  The online/TV end-of-year recap was unlike any I remember with a middle digit montage on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and the final hoorah:  Mariah Carey’s Times Square New Year’s Eve performance.  Girl, we feel ya– 2016 was rough…  

☆2017 just seems like something that needs to be gently approached☆ 

Each year, I’ll tell you I don’t make resolutions as I’m drafting my list.  Despite my hesitance, I’m pretty good at sticking to them though.  This year, as I started contemplating my list, I took note of a new trend: setting intentions.  Ok, ummm yeah…  I like it.  It’s very 2017.  Like “hey, things have been rough…we made it though….let’s just slide into this next thing a bit…”  In the spirit of smooth transitions, I have set my intentions for 2017.  High on the list is a much stronger focus on CLEANER EATING.  I say CLEANER instead of CLEAN because there is a good chance on my business trip to California next week, I’m going to end up with an In-N-Out burger (animal style, duh…) in my face.  

I’m starting somewhere, though.  Intentions, right?  Set myself up for success, you know…  Because this isn’t about a diet, this is about diet.  This is about me knowing there is a direct connection between what we eat and how we move through life.  While I eat fairly healthy, my off button and filters don’t always work so well.  So, last night, an hour after I ate my dinner (a big ‘ole fluffy kale salad), I tossed back a frozen pizza with reckless abandon.  My weakness is frozen pizza (I know…  seriously…  what…).  There are three in the freezer right at this very moment…

So, I’m going to kick things into gear with a 21-day detox program right after my business trip.  More to follow on that.  But, I feel like something NEEDS to BE done NOW!!!  I really feel like I need to do a control-alt-delete on myself, but hey…  easy does it.  So, in the spirit of easing out of the craziness of 2016 and into the reset that I know needs to happen in 2017:  I’m starting with this Chocolate & Kale Detox Smoothie.  

Oh wait, wait, wait!  Don’t close out of the page after reading the words chocolate and kale in the same sentence.  You don’t taste the kale at all.  Meantime, it’s working it’s leafy super green magic on your guts.  The chocolate~~  well, that’s a sneaky little bit as well.  The chocolate in this smoothie comes from two superfood ingredients:  cacao powder and cacao nibs.  And who doesn’t love the words “superfood” and “chocolate” used together…  Toss in some frozen bananas, almond milk, and a couple drops of liquid Stevia (and it doesn’t even really need this tiny boost of sweetness, but hey…  we said ‘easing in’ right), and you have a creamy, chocolatey, decadent smoothie–that you, my dear, do not need to feel the least bit guilty about.  

I want to talk about a few of the ingredients real quick before we get into the blender action, because then things move real quick!

KALE.  I love it.  I didn’t always love it.  But, I’m about two clicks away from being one of those “Oh Kale Yeah” t-shirt-wearing-gals.  It adds texture to salad, it bakes into dishes really well, it sautés beautifully in olive oil with a splash of apple cider vinegar, maple syrup and fresh grated ginger.  And just take a moment to admire the stunning pop of green that shows up in your sauté pan…   And, if we’re not on the same (kale) page yet, this is the recipe for you…   because, like I said, you aren’t going to taste it.  So, let me offer up one more bit on kale.  If you’ve been grabbing the bag of pre-cut kale (with the big chunks of stem cut up in there too), I want to ask you to try something new.  I want you to grab the big, loose leaf (or bundled) organic kale.  I want you to gently slide the leaf off the main stem, grab the leaves up in a bunch, and thinly slice the leaves into little kale ribbons.  Then, while on the cutting board or in a bowl.  I want you to give that kale a nice little massage, maybe just a minute or two.  Tell it you love it, and then say hello to your new favorite Brassica oleracea.  Massaged kale softens up a bit, which makes it easier to digest– and just watch how the color brightens! 

CACAO NIBS.  I grabbed all my grocery list items and thought, “what the heck, lemme see if <mainstream grocery store> carries cacao nibs.” … Me: “Sir {to grocery store manager walking by}, do you y’all carry cacao nibs?” … Store manager guy: “Oh yes, let me grab that for you.” … Me (never-ending conversation with self inside head):  “Score!” … Store manager guy: “Here you go.”  Handing me a bag of chocolate chips.  Me {in my most polite and slightly ridiculous tone}: “No, nibs not chips.” … Store manager guy:  “What’s a nib?”  Touché, Sir.  Touché…  

Cacao nibs are cacao beans that have been roasted, separated from their husks, and crushed into smaller pieces.  It’s basically chocolate in its raw, pure form.  And who doesn’t love things in their raw, pure forms?…  So, think “less sweet, slightly nutty” flavor.  Kinda like me with the grocery store manager.  Look, the short version is:  cacao nibs are chocolate before all the bullshit additives come into the picture.  Yes, I know, I like them too… but when you’re trying to detox a bit you gotta find the opportunities.  Plus, you get antioxidants, fiber, iron and magnesium–  and what’s not to love about that…?

FROZEN BANANAS.  This will be short.  Go buy a bunch of bananas.  Then, when you’re like, “Oh hey, these bananas look perfectly ripe…oh crap, if I don’t eat all 8 bananas in two days I will have a brown pile of goo on the counter!”  That’s when I want you to peel them, cut them in half, put them in a ziploc bag and toss them in the freezer.  Because always having frozen bananas on hand for smoothies is one of life’s simple pleasures…

Ok, now take a quick glance at the ingredients.  You’re going to toss them in the blender, give them a big, looooong whirl.  Done.  Kick back, take a sip.  Feels kinda indulgent, huh?…  You did it, you made it through some rough bits this year; treat yourself and know that this one is totally GOOD for you!  

☆Cheers to all that is ahead of us, 2017!☆

chocolate-kale-smoothie-1

chocolate kale smoothie

chocolate kale smoothie

chocolate kale smoothie

chocolate kale smoothie

“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair.

So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”

~Jack Layton

chocolate kale smoothie

 

Chocolate & Kale Detox Smoothie
Serves 2
No need to feel guilty about this chocolate shake. Cacao nibs, cacao powder and kale combine in a velvety, rich smoothie.
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Prep Time
10 min
Total Time
10 min
Prep Time
10 min
Total Time
10 min
153 calories
32 g
0 g
3 g
4 g
0 g
469 g
28 g
14 g
0 g
0 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
469g
Servings
2
Amount Per Serving
Calories 153
Calories from Fat 6
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 3g
4%
Saturated Fat 0g
1%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 28mg
1%
Total Carbohydrates 32g
11%
Dietary Fiber 4g
18%
Sugars 14g
Protein 4g
Vitamin A
156%
Vitamin C
118%
Calcium
41%
Iron
8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
  1. 1 1/2 cups chopped, packed organic kale
  2. 3 tablespoons cacao nibs
  3. 2 tablespoons cacao powder
  4. 1 1/2 cups original, unsweetened almond milk
  5. 2 drops Stevia liquid sweetener
  6. 2 frozen bananas
  7. 1 cup ice
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to smoothie blender and process until smooth.
  2. Enjoy immediately!
Adapted from Superfood Smoothies by Julie Morris
beta
calories
153
fat
3g
protein
4g
carbs
32g
more
Adapted from Superfood Smoothies by Julie Morris
TraveLynn Eats https://www.travelynneats.com/

Sweet Potatoes with Spiced Chickpeas & Ginger Lime Tahini Sauce

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes with Spiced Chickpeas & Ginger Lime Tahini Sauce

There’s a running list of recipes that scrolls through my head.  There’s a lot of chatter up there.  Thank gawd much of it is food related. This is one of those recipes I’ve waited a long time to make.  Suddenly, it became one of those “must make now” recipes.  Detour on the drive home from work.  In Whole Foods snatching up sweet potatoes, cilantro, limes, tahini, chickpeas with all too much enthusiasm.  

I burst through the door, straight into the kitchen, cranked up my fave Pandora channel (ohhh you love Chill Loungers Radio too?!), and got right to work.  Don’t stop, won’t stop, oh no…forgot to take pictures…last ditch smartphone shot right before serving.  Close call.  Glad I can give you a little Samsung Galaxy 4 kickin-it-old-school snap.  

This is one of those dishes that highlights what I love about cooking.  Simple to make; perfect mix of flavors; separate components of a dish that stand alone wonderfully, but come together perfectly; results exceed expectations.  What’s not to like…?

So, in a string of “I’m not vegan” vegan recipes: Just.Make.This.One. 

Another beautiful recipe from a favorite website, The First Mess.

Sweet Potatoes with Spiced Chickpeas & Ginger Lime Tahini Sauce
Serves 4
Roasted sweet potatoes, spiced & crispy chickpeas, and a ginger lime tahini sauce. Sprinkled with green onions, basil, cilantro, sriracha sauce. Deep, yet refreshing marriage of flavors and textures.
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689 calories
112 g
0 g
18 g
27 g
2 g
341 g
713 g
28 g
0 g
14 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
341g
Servings
4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 689
Calories from Fat 152
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 18g
28%
Saturated Fat 2g
11%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 7g
Monounsaturated Fat 7g
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 713mg
30%
Total Carbohydrates 112g
37%
Dietary Fiber 25g
102%
Sugars 28g
Protein 27g
Vitamin A
375%
Vitamin C
34%
Calcium
28%
Iron
54%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
SWEET POTATOES
  1. 4 medium sweet potatoes
CHICKPEAS
  1. 2 teaspoons olive or coconut oil
  2. 1 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  3. 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  4. 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  5. ½ teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
  6. ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
  7. 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  8. 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  9. ½ teaspoon chili garlic sauce or other hot sauce
GINGER TAHINI SAUCE
  1. 1 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
  2. ¼ cup tahini
  3. 1 lime, juiced (approximately 2 tablespoons)
  4. 1-2 tablespoons soy sauce
  5. 2-3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  6. ½ teaspoon chili garlic sauce or other hot sauce
  7. 2-3 tablespoons water (to thin sauce after mixed)
GARNISH
  1. 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  2. 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  3. 1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
  4. Sesame seeds
  5. Sriracha sauce
  6. Lime wedges
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking dish with 2-inch sides with parchment paper. Set the sweet potatoes, flesh side down, onto the parchment. Bake sweet potatoes until they are tender all the way through, about 25-30 minutes.
  2. While sweet potatoes bake, heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. In a glass bowl, mix the garlic powder, cumin, ginger, coriander, maple syrup, tamari, and hot sauce. Then toss the chickpeas in this sauce.
  3. Transfer the chickpeas to the skillet. Sauté chickpeas until visibly browned and lightly dried. The spices should form a golden “crust” on the outside of the chickpeas. This should take about 5-10 minutes with intermittent stirring.
  4. Using the same bowl that you tossed the chickpeas in, whisk together the tahini sauce. Mix the ginger, tahini, lime juice, tamari, maple syrup, and hot sauce. When the sauce is smooth, add hot water to get the sauce to pourable consistency. Whisk thoroughly and set aside.
  5. Place the baked sweet potatoes on a platter. Top the sweet potato halves with tahini sauce, the cooked chickpeas, green onions, cilantro, basil, sesame seeds, and sriracha sauce. Serve with lime wedges on the side. Enjoy immediately.
Adapted from Minimalist Baker
beta
calories
689
fat
18g
protein
27g
carbs
112g
more
Adapted from Minimalist Baker
TraveLynn Eats https://www.travelynneats.com/

Vegan Power Frappe

Vegan Power FrappeI know, I know… just when I told you I’m not vegan.  Presenting: the Vegan Power Frappe!  Ta da…  I just can’t help myself because 1) I’m falling in love …with a new food blog…oh yes, The First Mess and 2) I’m trapped inside with 30 consecutive days of rain in the Washington DC area  (..and NPR just reported it’s sunny in Seattle during the local rubbing-it-in weather report).  I need a pick-me-up people!  Like now…  like right now…

I love adding Maca powder to my morning shakes, and I’ve been known to sneak a pour of coffee into my shakes as well.  So, when I saw these two in The First Mess Maca Caramel Frap, I dove right in.  Maca has a malty, earthy flavor and, most importantly, a noticeable energy kick.  You’d think it might be the coffee, but I get the same energy boost when I add only Maca and no coffee to my shakes.

There are a few items you’ll need to prepare in advance:  the frozen banana (I always keep a gallon ziplock bag of half-cut bananas in the freezer); cold brewed coffee (you can cold brew, when needed, or use yesterday’s leftovers); and soaked cashews (soak the cashews overnight in cold water or soak in boiling water for 10 minutes as you’re preparing the rest of the shake…  I used boiling water from my electric tea kettle while preparing the other ingredients).

Vegan Power Frappe   

Vegan Power Frappe
Serves 2
This rich vegan frappe will give you just the boost of energy you need to get your day started!
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Prep Time
15 min
Total Time
15 min
Prep Time
15 min
Total Time
15 min
594 calories
68 g
0 g
34 g
14 g
5 g
1541 g
356 g
43 g
0 g
28 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
1541g
Servings
2
Amount Per Serving
Calories 594
Calories from Fat 286
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 34g
52%
Saturated Fat 5g
23%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 7g
Monounsaturated Fat 21g
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 356mg
15%
Total Carbohydrates 68g
23%
Dietary Fiber 10g
38%
Sugars 43g
Protein 14g
Vitamin A
2%
Vitamin C
9%
Calcium
18%
Iron
22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
  1. 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked for 10 minutes in boiling water
  2. 4 soft Medjool dates, pitted
  3. 1 banana, sliced and frozen
  4. Handful of ice cubes
  5. 2 teaspoons Maca powder
  6. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  7. 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  8. 1/2 cup cold brewed coffee
  9. 1/2 cup unsweetened, unflavored almond or coconut milk
Instructions
  1. Soak the raw cashews in a bowl with boiling water for 10 minutes. You can boil the water in the microwave, stove top or tea kettle.
  2. For the coffee, you can cold brew or use yesterday's leftover coffee...
  3. Combine all of the ingredients in a high-speed blender. Blend the mixture on high until smooth and frothy. Enjoy!
Adapted from The First Mess
beta
calories
594
fat
34g
protein
14g
carbs
68g
more
Adapted from The First Mess
TraveLynn Eats https://www.travelynneats.com/
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Easy Vegan Overnight Oats with Nutty Granola Clusters

Easy Vegan Oats with Granola

Every time I find myself in Dupont Circle, I wonder why I’m not wandering around Dupont Circle more often.  It’s a charming and lively spot in the city: embassies, restaurants, shops, bookstores, eclectic everything.  On each visit, I seem to end up at Kramerbooks & Afterwards Cafe.  There are many things I love there:  books and food and cashiers with nose piercings and tucked in the corner by the cafe…  cookbooks… a.k.a. foodie romance novels.  

And just like that, another one for the collection:  The Oh She Glows Cookbook, Over 100 Vegan Recipes to Glow from the Inside Out by Angela Liddon.  Not because I’m vegan, but just because I want to be more mindful of what I’m eating.   In the interest of more mindful eating, I thought I’d start with breakfast…  Because, in my world, coffee is a food group…  It’s what’s for breakfast…  I’m not a morning person…  so, I knew this new mindful eating thing would have to be easy if involving breakfast.  And, with that, I present to you:  Angela’s Vegan Overnight Oats with Nutty Granola Clusters.  They are simply delicious.  If you’re skeptical of cold oats…  don’t be.  Vegan oats…  It’s what’s for breakfast.  

Easy Vegan Oats with Granola

Easy Vegan Overnight Oats with Nutty Granola Clusters
Serves 4
Easy prep, CHILL OVERNIGHT so you can chill in the morning, top with your favorite fruit and nutty granola.
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Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
40 min
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
40 min
1038 calories
103 g
0 g
65 g
23 g
20 g
339 g
167 g
32 g
0 g
39 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
339g
Servings
4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1038
Calories from Fat 543
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 65g
101%
Saturated Fat 20g
102%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 17g
Monounsaturated Fat 22g
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 167mg
7%
Total Carbohydrates 103g
34%
Dietary Fiber 20g
81%
Sugars 32g
Protein 23g
Vitamin A
13%
Vitamin C
8%
Calcium
44%
Iron
39%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Vegan Oats
  1. 1 cup rolled oats
  2. 1 1/2 cups almond milk
  3. 1/4 cup chia seeds (white chia seeds if you can find them)
  4. 1 large banana, mashed
  5. 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For serving
  1. Blueberries or fresh berries of your choice
  2. Nutty Granola Clusters
  3. Maple Syrup
Nutty Granola Clusters
  1. 1 cup whole raw almonds
  2. 1/2 cup raw pecans
  3. 1 1/4 cup rolled oats
  4. 2/3 cup mixed dried fruit (cranberries, cherries and/or blueberries)
  5. 1/2 cup raw pepita seeds
  6. 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
  7. 1/3 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
  8. 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  9. 1/4 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
  10. 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
  11. 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
  12. 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Vegan Oats
  1. In a small bowl, thoroughly mix the oats, almond milk, chia seeds, mashed banana and cinnamon. Cover and refrigerate overnight to thicken. In the morning, if too thick--add a little almond milk.
Nutty Granola Clusters
  1. Pre-heat the oven to 275 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place 1/2 cup almonds into a food processor and process for 10-15 seconds, until a fine meal forms. Transfer the ground almonds to a large bowl.
  3. In the food processor, combine the remaining 1/2 cup almonds and 1/2 cup pecans and process 5-10 seconds, until finely chopped (there will be some fine meal and some larger pieces). Add to the bowl with the almond meal.
  4. Add the oats, dried fruit, pepita seeds, sunflower seeds, coconut, cinnamon and salt to the large mixing bowl and stir.
  5. In a small bowl, combine the maple syrup, melted oil and vanilla and then mix into the large bowl with the oats.
  6. With a spatula, spread the granola into a 1/2 inch layer on the baking sheet and gently press to lightly compact it. Bake for 20 min, then rotate the pan and bake for 18-20 minutes more--until the granola is lightly golden.
  7. Cool the granola in the pan for at least 1 hour and then break apart and store in a glass jar. The granola stores for 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator or freezer for 4-5 weeks.
To serve
  1. In a jar or parfait dish, layer the oats, fresh berries and granola and drizzle with a little maple syrup, if desired.
Adapted from The Oh She Glows Cookbook
beta
calories
1038
fat
65g
protein
23g
carbs
103g
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Adapted from The Oh She Glows Cookbook
TraveLynn Eats https://www.travelynneats.com/