I LOVE to make granola (this isn’t a surprise if you read my blog PUREmamas). There really isn’t anything better for breakfast than a healthy homemade breakfast cereal. And it’s nutritious, full of healthy fiber, protein, fats, and carbohydrates.
But the granola I usually make is raw sprouted and dehydrated. Not your typical oven-cooked breakfast. Many people don’t own dehydrators (although I highly recommend that you buy one). And I do not suggest that you follow a recipe that calls for a dehydrator and then use the oven instead. It never turns out right (i.e., my kale chip recipe)—and those of you who have done this know what I’m talking about. It changes everything. So, today I’ve created a “sprouted and dehydrated” style granola that calls for an OVEN! Yay.
It’s full of wonderful grains. The grains are germinated first and the seeds are sprouted. It’s gluten-free. And I sweeten it only with coconut sugar and honey. That’s it.
I hope you enjoy this breakfast in a big bowl topped with fresh fruit and fresh almond milk. Or good goats milk, which is another favorite.
JULI’S FANCY SPROUTED GRANOLA
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup millet, soaked in water for 1-2 hours and rinsed
• 1/2 cup buckwheat, soaked in water for 1-2 hours and rinsed
• 1 Tbsp. chia seeds, soaked in water for 10 minutes
• 1 cup certified gluten-free oats
• 1/2 cup sprouted sunflower seeds (you can buy these, sprout yourself, or just use raw seeds)
• 2 vanilla beans
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/3 cup coconut sugar
• 2 heaping Tbsp. good quality organic honey
• 1.4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1 pinch sea salt
*Try to use organic options when possible.
Directions
1. First set the millet and buckwheat aside and let it soak in water for at least an hour. Do the same with the chia seeds, except for 10 minutes.
2. In a food processor, chop up the oats and sunflower seeds until they are evenly distributed and chopped but not so much they are turned into a flour (about 10 seconds).
3. Add chia seeds, coconut sugar, honey and melted coconut oil. Pulse again until thoroughly mixed (like 5-10 seconds).
4. Add the rest of the ingredients and pulse one last time until the mixture is evenly combined (again about 5-10 seconds).
5. Put mixture onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. If you don’t have parchment paper try and grease the pan a bit using a coconut oil spray or just rub coconut oil with a towel.
6. Cook at 350 degrees F for about 30 minutes. Please stir the mixture with a spatula every 5 minutes or so.
7. Let cool and enjoy. Store in a dry container in the fridge for a long shelf life.
Hope you enjoy!
— Juli Novotny of Pure Mamas
Ok, I’m taking a big leap sharing this recipe with you guys. The reason being is that it’s a bit “hippie” or some might say “like bird food.” Or it might seem a little too healthy for others.
And yes, well, it is. But it’s SO darn good! I’m telling you. I’m one of those people who, despite knowing the wonderful health benefits of chia seeds, has a hard time with the gooey texture. All those drinks and puddings definitely turn me off.
So, the fact that I have been playing around with chia seeds is surprising in itself, and I’m actually sharing a recipe with you.
I really encourage you to try this cereal because it is not only unique and delicious, but it’s a grain-free, well-balanced combination of omega 3s, healthy carbohydrates, and hemp protein. The best part is, my pickiest son, actually LOVES this recipe and it’s the easiest cereal you’ll ever make.
Add a little milk and honey and it’s a perfect snack. I could NOT be happier about this.
Chia Hemp Buckwheat Breakfast
Ingredients
1 cup organic chia seeds
1 cup organic buckwheat groats
1 cup organic hemp seeds
Optional
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Mix the hemp, chia, and the buckwheat seeds together in a sealed glass container. You can store this for months.
I LOVE this cereal with the above spices, especially during the Winter holiday season. If you want to add some or all of the spices, do so before you store the grains or add just a pinch when you are ready to eat the cereal. It’s up to you. Play around with the seasonings, it’s fun.
When ready to eat the cereal, pour 3 Tablespoons into a bowl. Add your favorite organic milk (enough to cover the seeds plus a bit more – about 1/2 cup). I add vanilla almond milk. Again, you can add a pinch of whatever seasonings you like. Maybe even a splash of vanilla flavoring.
Note: let this sit about 5 minutes before eating. The chia seeds will thicken the mixture. Then it’s ready to eat.
I added cherries to my bowl. Feel free to add any in-season fruit. I also toasted a handful of the buckwheat groats and added them to the mixture for a bit of a toasty flavor. If you want to do this, toast about 1/4 cup of groats in a toaster oven for 3 minutes at 350 degree Fahrenheit.
This cereal makes a very lovely homemade gift for the holidays. Inexpensive, super simple and healthy; what better gift to share?!
Have fun. Happy Holidays.
– XO — Juli Novotny of Pure Mamas
Last week I wrote about holiday traditions and how we can still create the sweet memories of this wonderful time of year without consuming all the junk. I swear I’m really not being the Grinch when I say let go of past holiday traditions and create your own healthy ones. I’m as much excited about Christmas and winter coziness as anybody else. Trust me!
So, today I’m sharing a fun recipe that will get anybody in the holiday mood.
These cookies are gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan. BUT STILL TOTALLY FESTIVE and fun to make with the entire family.
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE RECIPE
Ingredients
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a food processor chop oats on high until they turn into a flour-like texture. Add baking flour, palm sugar, and salt. Mix again until all is blended well.
3. Add maple syrup, vanilla, and butter. Mix everything again by PULSING it together.
4. Add chips and mix by hand.
5. On a flat surface, using a rolling pin or your hands, spread the dough fairly thin—about 1/4″ thickness. Using any fun cookie cutters you have, push down, pressing firmly. Using a spatula, you can transfer your cookies onto a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 17 minutes to get them browned and crunchy. If you want them dough-like and soft then cook for 12 minutes.
7. ENJOY! I know you will create fun memories with this recipe. It’s a wonderful afternoon activity with kids.
Other Options & Healthy Holiday Treats:
xo Juli Novotny of Pure Mamas
It’s that time of year again. And I couldn’t be more thrilled. My Halloween decorations have come down, and I’m so ready for Christmas lights, the smell of pine, and a pretty tree. Having kids has made it so fun for me to reminisce and experience holiday happiness all over again, especially through their eyes.
This time of year, however, means JUNK FOOD is everywhere! Chocolate, peppermint candy, sweet breads and pastries, turkey and gravy (for some), marshmallow sweet potatoes, the list goes on. Food has been a part of holiday traditions for years and years. To you, your parents, and your grandparents, a turkey dinner with stuffing and apple pie—or another signature family meal—brings thoughts of comfort, family, laughter, and happiness.
I remember taking a class at UCLA about tradition and families. One afternoon we talked about how our fond memories often involve food. Most families gather around plates when the holidays come around. I mean, what else are you going to do? It’s cold out, there are hours upon hours to kill with family members you haven’t seen in ages. Food is a great conversation piece, a definite community builder, and even a distraction when things or conversation are slow. Everybody has to eat, right? So by default we look to foods and recipes to recreate those feelings of love, happiness, warmth, and holiday cheer.
Interesting, right?
A lot of things can inspire that same feeling of warmth, love, happiness, and joy—not just food. Hot tea in front of a roaring fire, snow ball fights, wintry outdoor adventures, lighting the menorah, spending time with family, the joy of giving, reading The Night Before Christmas, family karaoke. . . . What better time than now to work on keeping the holiday spirit, creating the fond memories, yet helping family members stay healthy!
I know that food does provide yummy aromas and good feelings. So, making cookies can and should still be a holiday tradition. But in place of making sugar cookies with tons of frosting, why not make honey sweetened pecan cookies?
And instead of having lots of unhealthy food around when family comes over, fill the house with smells of healthy butternut squash soup, kale herb salads, spiced nuts, and rosemary wreaths. Offer homemade hot chocolate or warm organic apple juice with cinnamon.
If you hear things like “You’re depriving your child of memories” when you discourage peppermint candies in favor of a seasonal clementine, don’t worry. Memories, nostalgia, and cravings come from our fond experiences and associations from our past. And if (junk) food and eating are the main things you’re smelling, tasting, and doing when you’re creating comforting memories, then you will naturally crave those things each year in hopes of recreating those memories.
Why not start your traditions in a healthy way for your kids? If you start healthy now, your kids will ask you each year for your homemade vegetable chili. Their memories and the feelings they have will be the SAME as those with egg nog and fruit cake. The only difference is, your child will have healthier habits. So why not?
Let’s forgo our own tokens of nostalgia for the sake of a healthier generation. Let’s reinvent tradition this year, and create feelings of joy and comfort in a different way. Even if that means saying goodbye to some of your favorite traditions that have been passed on from generation to generation. Or have fun re-imagining and creating the healthier version of those beloved food traditions.
- Juli Novotny of Pure Mamas
There is nothing more fun than art. Wait, I take it back, there is. EDIBLE art is better than plain old art. And what’s better than chocolate?!
My homemade version is the “healthier” chocolate. I wouldn’t say total health food per se because kids and chocolate still are something that, when combined, often equal total excited, messy, craziness. But it’s better than any processed or store-bought version. (Wink.)
So, I’m not only sharing my recipe with you today, but also my family photos—taken a year and a half ago—of us making chocolate art and freezing it until hardened. The result was better than any shrink plastic arts and crafts—no toxic odors when baking and no questionable plastic. We had edible funky chocolate chips, chocolate hearts, chocolate letters, and more.
Let your imagination run wild!
All you need is a pan, the ingredients, waxed paper, and a frosting/decorating bag.
RECIPE:
Ingredients
Directions
In a pan on the stove, I warmed the oil until clear. On low, I added the honey, chocolate, and extract. I mixed it together until thick and smooth and homogenous.
Then, I put the mixture into a frosting/decorating bag.
The kids had a blast squeezing their designs on the waxed paper.
I put everything in the freezer for at least 20 minutes before eating (it becomes hard like candy).
That’s it—easy, fun, and TASTES so good (oh, and it’s not bad for you either).
Enjoy!
- Juli Novotny of Pure Mamas
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