Welcome to my crazy world of real food cooking ...

Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly Plants. -- Michael Pollan

I wish I could take credit for that because I think it sums up how we should eat. Simply -- eat stuff that really is food, instead of stuff that is food like substance. The supermarket is almost entirely food-like-substances, and, my friends, you should probably never ever eat them.

Fortunately, there is a world of deliciousness out there, and it can all be had in a way that not only doesn't harm your health, but in a way that benefits you hugely.

I think it's important to eat stuff that satisfies you, that keeps your blood sugar stable, and that gives you stuff your body really needs to run optimally.

But baby, it's gotta taste good.

I really like getting experimental in the kitchen. I love cooking, I love layering flavours, and I love coming up with really super yummy food. I have very strong opinions about what constitutes food, and there are a lot of things I won't touch in the kitchen. Bottom line? Pretty much everything I make is ridiculously good for you even if it tastes decadent. Although there are occasional big fat cheats ... but even those stick to real food, my friends.

For food that is usual gluten free, usually free of cane sugar, usually super low on the glycemic index, full of protein, fiber, flavour, and excellent energy, join me and Alice down the rabbit hole.

Every recipe on this blog is my own original effort and idea, so please pass 'em on, giving credit where credit is due.

Many thanks, and come back often. I'm really glad you are here!

:)

Monday, 3 October 2011

Granola Heads -- Granola from my friend Karen


My friend Karen told me about this granola she makes for breakfast for her family. They all love it. I decided to love it too. In deference to Karen's love affair with maple syrup, I made it with maple syrup, but she suggested honey as well. Of course, I made it my own, changing and tweaking things. I will post as I come up with them other variations, but first we'll start with the basic kind that we made after being inspired by Karen's granola.


ingredients:

3/8 cup extra virgin coconut oil
1/4 cup maple syrup

2 1/2 cups rolled oats, quinoa flakes, spelt flakes, kamut flakes, millet flakes or whatever other kind of flaked grain you like
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup raw chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raw chopped almonds
1/4 cup raw sesame seeds (I used the black kind)
1/4 cup raw shredded coconut

1 tsp ground vanilla bean
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp sea salt

1/2 cup raisins or other dried fruit
1/2 cup flax meal
2 tbsp chia seeds


directions:

preheat the oven to 300

1. melt the coconut oil and combine with the maple syrup, sea salt, cinnamon, and vanilla
2. combine the oats, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, and coconut in a large bowl
3. drizzle the oil/maple syrup mixture over the oats and seeds and stir really well
4. spread the mixture on a lined baking sheet, and bake at 300 for 60 minutes, stirring halfway through
5. remove from the oven and return to a big bowl
6. add in the raisins, flax meal, and chia seeds
7. when fully cool, store in an airtight container.

This makes a good snack, or breakfast, with or without milk. 




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