Homemade Granola: The Staple Breakfast

Homemade Granola: The Staple Breakfast                   

I struggle with mornings so it is wonderful to wake up to an oaty, nutty, seeded bowl of sweet goodness. 

I always eat two heaped tablespoons of my Homemade Granola with heaps of fresh fruit and a couple of heaped tablespoons of Total 0% Yogurt (I have tried roundly 25 different yogurts and this is the creamiest low fat yogurt that also isn't filled with sugar to make up for the low fat element!)

This Homemade Granola is super easy to make, takes less than 20 mins (10 mins prep and 10 mins cooking) and feeds me for a couple of weeks! My recipe is based closely on one from Elizabeth Rider.              

Recipe 

2 cups organic jumbo oats

1/2 cup nuts (I have 1/4 chopped pecans, 1/8 cup sliced almonds, 1/8 cup home chopped almonds)

1/4 cup seeds (I have 1/8 cup sunflower seeds, 1/8 cup pumpkin seeds, but I throw in a tbsp of chia seeds too for luck and these make it for me!)

1/2 unsweetened dried fruit (I tend to just do sultanas but if you can get your hands on unsweetened cranberries then these are a lovely addition)

2 tbsp coconut oil (healthy and delicious)

2 tbsp maple syrup (this is your naughty sweetness)

1 tbsp vanilla extract

pinch salt

Method

1.      Mix it all in a bowl with your hands (heat from your hands melts the coconut oil).

2.      Cook at 150c for 10 mins.

3.      Store in a seated jar of tuppaware. (I used two of the jars pictured for one batch.

Happy breakfast!

Healthy Food Love, Fayerie Faye x

Hemsley & Hemsley's Healthy Banana Bread with my own Healthy Food Love this Valentines Day

I am mad for Banana Bread (see my baking blog, Fayerie Cakes, for the classic 'unhealthy' recipe http://fayeriecakes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/nummy-nana-banana-bread.html).

However, this healthy recipe is really sweet and serves up perfectly with a cuppa of Yorkshire Tea. 

I am struck rather speechless by how incredibly yummy and pretty much completely guilt free this Banana Bread is! Find the recipe here: http://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/2012/05/16/hemsley-hemsley-healthy-banana-bread-recipe

                 

My 3 recipe adaptations:

1. I went with the option of swapping out the butter for organic coconut oil.
2. Instead of using 2 tbsp pure maple syrup, I lowered the glycemic index even further by going half and half with 1tbsp pure maple syrup and 1tbsp Xylitol.
3. I didn't have any flaxseed or a pestle and mortar/ food processor handy so I swapped the 25g ground flaxseed for more ground almond and went with chia seeds instead of the whole flax seeds. I also sprinkled these on top. I adore chia seeds.

Serving suggestions

Serve with a cup of tea. I recommend what i fondly refer to as a 'Bucket' of Yorkshire Tea with Almond Milk. I used up a tiny bit of cream from some baking in the picture but greek yogurt is always a must, mashed banana makes a lovely spread, nut spreads are fun and filled with goodness and it tastes amazing on its own too. 

The recipe mentions storage - keep it covered int he fridge. Freezing as slices is also suggested so that you can have toasted slices. I think I will have to try this with a little butter or a teaspoon of chocolate pecan spread...

I posted this recipe to my Instagram: @fairyfayefaye

Healthy Food Love, Fayerie Faye x

PS Thank you to Sophie Taity for recommending I try this. Check out her healthy food blog: https://sophiesproperfood.wordpress.com

Breakfast in a Jar Week! - Overnight oats overload!

Overnight oats are so popular right now, as are meals in jars so this was a natural next step for my healthy eating to take.  

                     

I am not so good at mornings so preparing break the night before and being able to grab it and go if I have really overslept is the dream come true (as long as I have a coffee in the other hand). 

General Recipe (Serves 1 / 1 jar)

1/3 cup oats (I like jumbo for the bite!)

1/3 cup milk of your choice

1/3 cup yogurt (I swear by Total 0% Yogurt because it is thick and creamy and isn't filled with sugar to make up for being low fat)

1/3 cup fruit and any chia seeds or choc chips etc

Plus any nuts, seeds and fruits to add the morning of consumption - yum!

Method

Put everything in the jar and stir it up, leave overnight and enjoy the next morning with any extras you fancy e.g. fruit, nuts and COFFEE! Easy.

Serving suggestions:

The Monday cure: Chocolate and banana numminess

Recipe

1/3 cup rolled oats 

1/3 semi-skimmed milk

1/3 total 0% yogurt

1/2 banana

tbsp chocolate sauce

top with almonds and raisins

Terrific Tuesday's Blueberry bananza!

Recipe

1/3 cup rolled oats 

1/3 semi-skimmed milk

1/3 total 0% yogurt

1/2 banana

1/3 cup blueberries

1 tsp honey

Wake up on Wednesdays with Waspberries

Recipe

1/3 cup rolled oats 

1/3 almond milk

1/3 total 0% yogurt

1/3 cup raspberries

1 tsp honey

2 tsp flaked almonds and 1 tsp goji berries to serve

The Thursday Twist is Kiwi and Grape!

Recipe

1/3 cup rolled oats 

1/3 semi-skimmed milk

1/3 total 0% yogurt

1/3 cup grapes

1 kiwi

1 tsp honey

Fruity Fridays

Recipe

1/3 cup rolled oats 

1/3 almond milk

1/3 total 0% yogurt

1/3 cup frozen summer fruits

1 tsp chia seeds

Coconutty for Strawberry Saturday

Recipe

1/3 cup rolled oats 

1/3 coconut milk

1/3 total 0% yogurt

1/3 cup strawberries

1 tsp chia seeds

Banana-Pecan Sunday

Recipe

1/3 cup rolled oats 

1/3 coconut milk

1/3 total 0% yogurt

1/2 banana

1 tsp chia seeds

1 tsp honey

I'm sure you are all set with your daily options but if you fancy even more ideas then there are 9 recipes on here worth trying too: http://dailyburn.com/life/recipes/easy-overnight-oats-recipes/

Healthy Food Love, Fayerie Faye x