Granola is not only yummy, but can also be good for you! It is kind of expensive, so one of the best ways to include this healthy grain into your diet without blowing your budget is to make it yourself! While you will see that it does take a little bit of time, it’s not hard to do, so you can be cooking granola while doing something else.
What Makes Granola so Healthy?
Granola is mainly made from whole oats, one of many whole grains that contain fiber, B vitamins, and many phytochemicals. In addition to the oats, granola usually has some nuts and seeds in there as well. The nuts and seeds are great for plant based proteins, healthy fats and more phytochemicals, all of which work together to keep your cells healthy and fighting cancer!
While it’s a little higher in fat than cereal, it’s a healthy type of fat (the monounsaturated fats come from the oil and the nuts). And the protein from the nuts help to keep you feeling satiated (full) longer than cereal does. If you’re the kind of person who says “I eat cereal and an hour later, I’m hungry”, then you would probably benefit from adding a little fat and protein to your morning breakfast routine.
Granola is great with milk, or on yogurt or oatmeal to add a little crunch. And it doesn’t take a lot of it to fill you up! Here’s the recipe for you to try!
Cancer Fighting Granola Recipe:
This recipe comes from my grandmother-in-law, so it’s an old family favorite in my husband’s family. I have had it at work for the last few weeks and everyone has been asking for it, so here it is!!
Cancer Fighting Granola Recipe
- 4.5 cups of oats
- 1 cup almonds (sliced)
- 1/3 cup coconut
- 1 cup cashews (crushed)
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (crushed)
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 t. cinnamon (or vanilla, nutmeg, chocolate, etc)
- Place the oats in a pan in a 275 degree oven for 50 minutes. Stir 1-2 times.
- Add the almonds, coconut, cashews, sesame seeds and walnuts, stir with the oats and place in the oven for 20 minutes, stirring once.
- Heat olive oil, honey and flavorings in a pan (heat, but don’t bring to boil).
- Mix with granola, turn oven to 300 degrees for 30 minutes and stir occasionally.
- Take granola out of the oven and allow to cool, stirring occationaly to prevent clumping.
Julie’s Tips:
- Yes, you will see that this is about a 2 hour process! I usually have something else I’m doing at the same time, like cooking something else, reading or cleaning. It’s not hard, just takes time!
- I have doubled this recipe to have extras to give away (think Christmas presents or neighbor gifts!)
- Some of the substitutions I have made include pecans in place of cashews, adding pumpkin or sunflower seeds, and my favorite so far is replacing some of the honey with molasses!
Enjoy and let me know what alterations you make!
– Julie
Love it!
Hi Julie, interesting your recipe has olive oil. I’ve only ever made my mine with a neutral falvoured oil (like canola). I hope you don’t mind if I share the link to your recipe in my new article (all about snacks).
Thanks for sharing!