Guilt Free Granola

It’s an absolute blast creating healthy recipes from scratch and homemade granola is one of my favorite. For this recipe, my go-to ingredients tend to stay the same. I just love the crunch of walnuts and the tartness of dried cranberries. But more importantly, who doesn’t love sweet chocolate chips in any recipe. Because I keep my recipes free of processed sugar, I love using Lily’s Sugar Free chocolate chips. 

Let’s talk about pumpkin seeds ~ how about a seed powerful enough to protect you from cancer? I’m in! Pumpkin seeds are the Superwomen of seeds loaded with magnesium, zinc and healthy fats. They’re amazing in a smoothie, homemade gluten free bread and yes, of course, granola.

Hellooooo cranberries ~ how about a tart little treat that protects your bladder and urinary tract? Cranberries are loaded with vitamin c and powerful antioxidants. They are absolutely perfect for salads and any granola recipe.

Shredded coconut anyone ~ coconut does your brain oh so good with it’s healthy fats and anti-inflammatory properties. Once again, you can add coconut to baking, chia pudding and you guessed it, granola. This also includes coconut oil. It is my go-to oil.

I’m nuts for walnuts ~ walnuts are a significant source of omega 3 fatty acids and protect against breast cancer. As a breast cancer survivor, I’m totally down with walnuts! Add them to a salad or any granola recipe and your body will thank you.

Dark chocolate is my best friend ~ did you know that dark chocolate is one of the most powerful antioxidants? It can also boost your mood, promote heart health and reduce the risk of a stroke. Toss a few chocolate chips back as a healthy little snack but be sure to go sugar free and add them to granola!

Cinnamon anyone ~ when it comes to reducing inflammation in the body and balancing blood sugar, cinnamon is your best friend. I love cinnamon in my coffee, tea and so much more. You can’t have granola without a dash of cinnamon.

Sea salt for the win ~ I can’t live without my Himalayan sea salt. It’s packed with essential minerals and supports adrenal health. Sweet and salty go together any day of the week!

Purely maple syrup ~ believe it or not, maple syrup has incredible benefits. It’s low on the glycemic index, supports the liver and is loaded with zinc and magnesium. I add a touch of maple syrup to any recipe for a hint of sweetness without the guilt.