Perfect Granola

I have been craving granola for 2 weeks! I LOVE oats and a yogurt parfait is one of my favorite foods. But all the store bought granola has things I don't like. Too much cinnamon, too many nuts, or just TOO MUCH! Not to mention preservatives and junk. So, I ventured into the kitchen and came up with this! THE PERFECT GRANOLA! What makes it perfect is it has everything I LIKE. It's simple and only has the flavors I enjoy. So when you use this recipe, add or remove ingredients to make it your own per your own tastes. It's the only way!

Make it YOUR PERFECT GRANOLA!

 You could add any other ingredients if you wanted to: Roasted quinoa, flax seed, sunflower seeds, almonds, cinnamon , etc. The choice is yours! What do you like? 

My perfect recipe consists of this:

PREP TIME:

5 mins

COOK TIME:

30 mins

TOTAL TIME:

35 mins

 Serves: 6-8

INGREDIENTS:

• ½ cup organic extra virgin coconut oil
• ⅓ cup organic local honey
• ½ teaspoon organic vanilla
• 3 cups gluten free oats or regular baking oats
• ¾ cup unsweetened shredded Coconut flakes
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts. I like walnuts or cashews
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1/4 cup dried berries
• Dash of Himalayan pink salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, combine oil, honey and vanilla and whisk together until well combined. Add oats, coconut, cashews, walnuts, raisins and cranberries. Stir to coat evenly. Add pinch of salt if desired.
2. Line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper. Pour mixture and spread out evenly. 
3. Bake at 300 degrees for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. Stir every 10 minutes bake evenly.

4. Let cool and harden for about 10 minutes. Store in an airtight container. Large plastic bag works just as well. 

Sometimes I like to bake the oats without the fruit and nuts. Adding the coconut, cashews, walnuts, raisins and cranberries after baking the oats so it wont be as chewy. I like it both ways. Depends on my mood.

I can't stop eating it!

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Summer Corn Salad

Summertime is salad experimenting time for me. Why stick with the usual leafy salads? Which I love by the way! But sometimes you need to whoop it up. Corn is versatile, sweet and delicious. Is there really anyone who doesn't LOVE it? It's gotten such a bad rap over the years with being GMO. Just buy NON GMO organic and enjoy it! 

When I saw a recipe for a corn salad I thought to myself, THIS IS IT! I had to revise the recipe make to my own and add some zing and tastiness! I always need the tasty! 

The final recipe is light, refreshing and delicious. 

This is SOOO YUMMY!  I LOVE CORN!!! 

Makes 5-6 servings

Ingredients;

• 4 ears corn, husked and cleaned
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
• 2 tbs fresh basil, chopped
• 4 tsp olive oil
• 3 tsp red wine vinegar
• 4 oz crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp pink himalayan salt

Taste the dressing as you make it. If you like MORE zing, add more vinegar, less zing add less. Make it how YOU like it. That is key. 

Directions;

• Place your grill on high. Grilling adds flavor. Or heat your oven to 350 degrees.
• Wrap each cleaned ear of corn in aluminum foil. The entire cob needs be covered with just one layer so it will steam the kernels.

• Grill or cook all wrapped ears for about five minutes per side, turning occasionally.
• Remove the corn from the grill or oven and let it cool.
• Stand the corn upright in a large bowl, and holding the top of the corn, use a sharp knife to cut off the kernels from top to bottom. Discard cobs. You will have about 2 1/2 cups corn kernels for the salad.

• Add the tomatoes, basil, olive oil, red wine vinegar, feta, pink salt, and pepper to the bowl of corn. Lightly toss.
• Serve slightly chilled.

The perfect side with grilled steak, chicken or fish. 

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Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Cucumber salad is one of my favorite dishes.... IN THE WORLD. For real. I could eat this daily. I do eat it at least once a week or more throughout the year. I have many different versions but this one is so nice and clean, refreshing. Pair it with a nice white wine.... Oh wait I'm not a sommelier and this blog isn't about wine... although I do love my wine too.  Hmmmmmmmm  Anyway, you wont go wrong with this yummy salad. 

Ingredients: Makes 2 servings

2 Tbsp Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar

2 tsp Balsamic Vinegar

4 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice

2 tsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

1 Large Cucumber, halved and sliced with  skin on preferably.

1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved

1 Tbsp Chopped Red Onion (optional)

2 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Basil leaves

Dash of Pink Himalayan Salt per  taste (optional)

Dash of Lemon Pepper to taste (optional)

(Add some feta cheese for extra Yumminess!)

1. Combine apple cider vinegar and balsamic vinegars, lemon  juice and oil in small bowl; mix well and set aside.

2. Once you cut the cucumber, lay pieces on cutting board with a sprinkle of salt for 5 minutes. Then pat with a dry paper towel to soak the water that has been released. Then, Combine Cucumber, Red Onion, Tomatoes, Basil and seasoning in a larger bowl. Mix well.

3. Drizzle dressing over mixture; toss gently. 

Apple Cookies

Apples and Peanut butter are already one of my favorite things in the UNIVERSE! Adding coconut, chocolate chips, walnuts and raisins make it a dream come true! 

Best recipe EVER! 

Another amazing version is adding Almond Butter and dried fruit! HELLO! You really can't go wrong. A sweet healthy treat to feel guiltless about!

My son thanked me a million times when I made these today and he had the biggest smile on his face. 

Ingredients: 

Your choice! Whatever you like! My version consists of:

• Apple cut in round slices
• Peanut Butter or Almond Butter
• Unsweetened coconut flakes
• Chocolate Chips
• Raisins or any dried berries
• Walnut pieces

These are a regular in my house. Enjoy and you're welcome!

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