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Natural Coconut Granola: the Best Granola in the World

Natural Coconut Granola: the Best Granola in the World

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So this is the best granola in the world. I know because I asked everyone I know to try it and they became immediately addicted. So, now I’m writing this up so they can all have the recipe and I won’t have to supply them anymore.

I got the base recipe from this Coco-Nutty Granola recipe at MindBodyGreen.com (I love this website!) and I’ve been experimenting with different ingredients and quantities. I have fun looking in my cupboards and using things I find to change up the combination every time, but I also think I’ve found the magic combination of whole foods (check out recipe below).

This all-natural, all-organic granola is not low-calorie by any means, but it is made of 100% super foods that are gluten-free and you can control the sugar. And if you need a low-sugar delicious green smoothie to go along with it, try this one!

All-natural coconut Granola

4.0 from 1 reviews
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Natural Coconut Granola: the Best Granola in the World
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This scrumptious coconut granola will keep you satisfied and full of wholesome foods, even if you don't like coconut!
Ingredients
  • 5 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
  • 2 cups coconut flakes (use large flakes, not shredded coconut)
  • 2 cups organic quick oats
  • 2 cups nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts, etc.) or seeds (pumpkin, pepita, pine nuts, etc.), chopped roughly - I like to use a combination
  • ½ cup organic flaxseed
  • ½ cup chia seeds
  • 1 or 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves, ginger or other spice of your choice
  • ¼ to ½ cup coconut sugar, evaporated cane juice or honey, to taste - the amount of sweetener is up to you
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
  2. In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and stir until well combined. Place parchment paper in a cookie or cake pan big enough for one layer of granola.
  3. Pour granola mixture into pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden. Stir granola or turn the pan halfway through cooking time.
  4. If you like it crunchier, let it cook to a darker color. Just keep checking & stirring until you get your perfect crunch!
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Easy Baked Sweet Potato Fries: Giving Back

Easy Baked Sweet Potato Fries: Giving Back

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Collard greens

Sometimes you just need to give back. So we headed to Los Angeles’ Downtown Women’s Center to buy the ingredients, prepare, cook and serve lunch to over 100 ladies visiting or living at the center. On the menu: oven-baked chicken with crunchy Parmesan coating and lemon zest, white beans, collard greens and baked sweet potato fries (recipe below).

We didn’t have to come up with a menu or instructions; the center’s nutritionist on staff, Tracy, handled all that for us. And she was good. Tracy and the volunteer kitchen leader instructed us on how to make theses dishes more healthy and where to find all our tools and utensils. We quickly took over the kitchen!

Vegetable stock & white beans

Everything was prepared from scratch using fresh whole foods. The vegetables were simply gorgeous. Fresh vegetable stock was started immediately, to use with the beans and collard greens.

Zesting lemons

We chopped, stirred, boiled, sautéed, zested, coated and seasoned. We smiled and chatted with residents (one in French!), who were all incredibly grateful. We were too.

Collard greens

And everyone was hungry. We were amazed at how talented the staff was, creating such healthy menus and using whole foods, cooking from scratch. The collard greens (using no pork for seasoning) and the baked sweet potato fries were the first to go, and everyone wanted seconds! I highly recommend volunteering at LA’s Downtown Women’s Center — the ladies were wonderful, the day was entertaining and the food was awesome.

Easy Baked Sweet Potato Fries Recipe from LA’s Downtown Women’s Center

Baked potatoes have a lower glycemic index than potatoes and lots more nutrients, so dig in to these yummy baked fries!

Baked sweet potato fries

1. Wash and peel the potatoes as shown above (or leave the peel on for more nutrition!).

Baked sweet potato fries

2. Cut potatoes into half-inch strips.

Baked sweet potato fries

3. Place on baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper and smoked paprika, above.

Baked sweet potato fries

4. Bake at 450 for 40 minutes, or until fries are cooked and slightly crispy.

5. Serve to hungry folks with a smile!

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Easy Baked Sweet Potato Fries
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Recipe type: Main
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4 servings
 
Baked potatoes have a lower glycemic index than potatoes and lots more nutrients, so dig in to these yummy baked fries!
Ingredients
  • 2 large Sweet Potatoes
  • Olive Oil
  • Salt + Pepper
  • Smoked Paprika
Instructions
  1. Wash and peel the potatoes as shown above (or leave the peel on for more nutrition!).
  2. Cut potatoes into half-inch strips.
  3. Place on baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper and smoked paprika, above.
  4. Bake at 450 for 40 minutes, or until fries are cooked and slightly crispy.
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