Tell me, how has this first week of 2016 been for you?

Me?

Well . . . let’s just say things have not gone according to plan . . .

Firstly it’s rained solidly for the last 4 days straight.

And when I say solidly I mean SOLIDLY! After the first 2 days they reported that we had had more than a months worth of rain fall in 48 hours . . . and 2 days later, it’s still falling.

Which is so not what you want when it’s school holidays and you have a very energetic little lady on your hands. Thankfully we were able to don our rain coats and make a dash for some much needed coffee and ice cream ♥♥♥

And then my laptop decided to die on me.

Ugh total first world problem I know but so, so annoying!

Anyways, thankfully all has been repaired and restored and here I am up and running again at last.

So how are you?

How were your New Years Eve celebrations?

Did you make any New years resolutions?

I didn’t, well not really. Although if you follow along on Instagram you will know that I recently had my first taste of this insanely delicious Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grains Granola which I randomly picked up on my travels last month and instantly fell in love with. So much so I resolved to make myself a copycat version asap because, you guys that stuff is sooooooo good!

Like so, so good! As in I may have shed a tear (or two) when I reached the bottom of the bag.

It’s crisp and crunchy, perfectly spiced without being overly sweet which is pretty much everything you want in a good granola.

My mission was clear, I must recreate it (or something very similar) asap!

Um, you guys . . . I think I nailed it!

Say hello to my all natural, crisp and crunchy, subtly sweet, cinnamon spiked pumpkin and cranberry {grain free} granola.

Some of your favorite nuts and seeds are combined with a little pumpkin puree’, a drizzle of maple syrup, a splash of vanilla and just a pinch of heart warming cinnamon then oven roasted until they are deliciously golden and perfectly crisp.

Then we simply stir through a handful of sweet and juicy dried cranberries and boomshakalocka – you’re done!

So simple right but oh so good!

Delicious, nutritious, crisp and crunchy clusters of oven roasted nuts and seeds with a subtly sweet maple-vanilla glaze, a heart warming hum of cinnamon and chewy dried cranberries . . .

Yep, nailed it!

I feel like I need to tell you that for those of you who might be worried about the use of pumpkin, fear not my friend – I promise you the granola does not taste like pumpkin, not at all.

The pumpkin just adds a subtly sweet yet slightly savory element that well, it just works. Just trust me ok, have I ever steered you wrong?! That being said, if you don’t feel like you can do the pumpkin clearly we can no longer be friends you could totally just sub apple puree’, but please, please, please try the pumpkin. You will love, love, love it I just know it!

Not only is it seriously (and I mean seriously) delicious but, it’s all natural made with no refined flours or sugars and just a handful of ingredients that I bet you have on hand already.

It also happens to be super quick and easy to prepare coming together in less than 30 mins, start to finish.

It also happens to be naturally vegan, dairy free and Paleo friendly.

Eat it straight up by the handful, sprinkle some onto your favorite smoothie, or with some fresh fruit and yogurt for a quick and easy, delicious, nutritious, protein packed breakfast (or snack) that will leave you feeling nourished, energized and satisfied for hours.

All natural, quick and easy, crisp and crunchy clusters of subtly sweet, healthy, homemade, maple-vanilla glazed, cinnamon spiced, delicious, nutritious, pumpkin and cranberry, grain free granola;

Make it. Eat it. Love, love, love it.

Pumpkin and Cranberry {Grain Free} “Granola” – Vegan, Dairy Free & Paleo Friendly
Makes approx 3 cups of All natural, quick and easy, crisp and crunchy, subtly sweet, perfectly spiced, delicious, nutritious, healthy, homemade pumpkin and cranberry, grain free granola

Ingredients –

3/4 cup raw almonds, roughly chopped

1/2 cup raw cashews, roughly chopped

1/4 cup pistachios, roughly chopped

1/4 cup Sunflower seeds

1/4 cup pepitas/pumpkin seeds

1 Tablespoon of chia seeds

1 Tablespoon of Pumpkin Puree’

1 Tablespoon of coconut oil, melted and cooled

2 Tablespoon maple syrup

1 Tablespoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

a pinch of salt

1-2  scoops of Vital proteins unflavored collagen peptides – optional for an extra boost of protein and gut healing goodness

1/2 cup dried cranberries

Method –

1 – Preheat your oven to 150’C (300’F) – Line a rimmed baking sheet with baking/parchment paper and set aside.

2 – Roughly chop your almonds, cashews and pistachios – Go easy though, you want there to be some larger pieces, even a few nuts left intact for some nice contrast in texture.

3 – Place your crushed/chopped nuts into a medium size bowl.

4 – Add sunflower seeds, pepitas, chia seeds and cinnamon and stir to combine.

5 – In a small bowl or jug whisk together maple syrup, coconut oil, pumpkin and vanilla then pour over your nut/seed mix. Stir to combine.

6 – Pour your maple-vanilla-pumpkin coated nut mix into one even layer onto your prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 mins stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on it as like any granola recipe, these nuts can catch and burn quickly if left unattended especially when it comes to the final 5 mins.

7 – Once your “granola” is deliciously golden and no longer “sticky” remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 mins.

8 – Add your cranberries and stir to combine then allow to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring by the handful directly into your mouth to an airtight container (or ziplock bag) and store in the pantry.

Enjoy xoxo

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Question of the day –

Are you a fellow granola lover? What’s your fave flavor combination? Or brand? Or recipe? Tell me . . . details please

Feel free to share recipes, or links to your fave recipes in the comments below or on the Facebook page and please for the love of all that is good in this world when you do make this granola (or any of the recipes you find on this blog of mine) go ahead and snap a pic and share it either on the Facebook page, or tag me on twitter or Instagram. Sharing is caring remember.

Do it, do it You know you want to 🙂

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