I admit it! My daughter and I love chocolate. We eat it daily. And to be honest, it's not something I plan to change because we eat high quality dark chocolate and raw cacao. On the other hand, something we don't eat much of is cereal. Starting the day with processed carbs and sugar is never a good thing. But let's face it... there is something comforting and delicious about crunchy sweet cereal combined with cold milk (or non-dairy alternative). I recently started making my own granola. That way I can enjoy a little cereal but have complete control about what goes in it. Not to mention, if I make it myself I am far less likely to overeat it because it'll mean having to make it again! My kids and husband were hesitant to try it at first, but then gave in and had some and LOVED it. Of course, my little Ladybug told me it would be better if it was chocolate and since she always gets her way, I made her some chocolate granola. It is amazing! It's especially good with some almond milk and a handful of organic raspberries or banana slices.
Here is the recipe:
INGREDIENTS
3 C Gluten Free Old Fashioned Oats
1 C Almond Meal
1 C Shredded Coconut (unsweetened)
1/2 C Golden Flax Meal
1/2 C Raw Cacao Powder
1/3 C Melted Coconut Oil
1 Tsp Organic Vanilla Extract
1/3 C Raw Honey (use agave or maple syrup for a vegan option)
1/4 C Coconut Crystals
1/4 C chocolate chips
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 325 and grease baking sheet or glass baking dish with coconut oil
2. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, almond meal, coconut, and flax
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cacao, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, honey, and coconut crystals (This tastes like the best chocolate frosting ever!)
4. Pour the chocolate mixture over the oat mixture and stir until dry ingredients are coated
5. Distribute the mixture evenly onto the baking dish or baking sheet
6. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes
7. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely
8. Stir in the chocolate chips
Here is the recipe:
INGREDIENTS
3 C Gluten Free Old Fashioned Oats
1 C Almond Meal
1 C Shredded Coconut (unsweetened)
1/2 C Golden Flax Meal
1/2 C Raw Cacao Powder
1/3 C Melted Coconut Oil
1 Tsp Organic Vanilla Extract
1/3 C Raw Honey (use agave or maple syrup for a vegan option)
1/4 C Coconut Crystals
1/4 C chocolate chips
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 325 and grease baking sheet or glass baking dish with coconut oil
2. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, almond meal, coconut, and flax
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cacao, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, honey, and coconut crystals (This tastes like the best chocolate frosting ever!)
4. Pour the chocolate mixture over the oat mixture and stir until dry ingredients are coated
5. Distribute the mixture evenly onto the baking dish or baking sheet
6. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes
7. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely
8. Stir in the chocolate chips