MY VIEW ON THE "PALEO GRANOLA" BY THE PALEO MOM

First, to get the original recipe (it's not mine but the one of Sarah Ballantyne!) , go to http://www.thepaleomom.com/2012/03/recipe-paleo-granola.html.

I LOVE this website! Sarah Ballantyne is just awesome. I have been learning so much since I read her posts and listen to her podcasts. She shares her recipes and post about the whys behind of a Paleo Diet.

What's great with This Paleo Granola : 

• Treat yourself with low-processed foods and natural ingredients.
• Bring some change in your habits (breakfast or snack)
• Get quick satiation (perception of Fullness) and satiety (the feeling of being well-nourished)
• It is suitable for those who can’t tolerate eggs, those who are lactose and casein intolerant, or who don’t like dairy.
• Can be eaten on it’s own

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Sliced Almonds
• 2 cups Unsweetend Coconut Flakes
• 1 cup Raw Sunflower Seeds
• 1 cup Raw Pepitas (Shelled Pumpkin Seeds)
• ¼ cup Honey
• 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
• 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1 tsp Ground Nutmeg 

1.    Preheat oven to 300F.  Line a large baking pan with parchment paper.
2.    Mix coconut, nuts and seeds in a big bowl.  Add cinnamon and nutmeg and stir to coat.
3.    Melt coconut oil and honey on low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave.  Add vanilla.
4.    Pour coconut oil mixture over nuts and seeds.  Stir to coat.  Pour out onto prepared baking sheet and spread out evenly.
5.    Bake for 30 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool completely in pan (for larger chunks), then pour into a plastic container or bag for storage.  Extra tasty served with berries and milk alternative of your choice

OK, let's jump into the nutritional benefits of this delightful recipe ! Please read carefully, as I will also try to give you some extra tips to make your dietary choices healthier. 

• The Paleo Granola by Sarah contains sliced almonds. I think it could work with whole almonds too. Raw Organic Almonds are a good source of Vitamin E (good for your skin!) and magnesium (which has so many important roles in your body, among them bone health. It also supports the normal functioning of the immune system) In order to make almonds more digestible and healthier, I highly recommend you soak and dehydrate them. Read this post to know more about this method (http://balancedbites.com/2010/12/for-the-love-of-almonds-and-some-omega-36-fats-talk.html)

• Sunflower Seeds and Pepitas, like nuts, are sources of fats (polyunsaturated fats). They are a good substitute to sugary snacks and will help you re-balance hormones and teach your metabolism to burn fat as a primal source of energy. In order to get the good ratios of fats, eat nuts and seeds occasionally, or treated like a condiment, sprinkled on salads, vegetables or main dishes.

• Virgin coconut oil and coconut flakes are so delicious! They contain Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) which are excellent energy sources (very easily absorbed, without making you fat!). Virgin Coconut oil (non-hydrogenated) is also an excellent choice for cooking and frying, as it is very stable at high temperatures. There is some evidence that virgin coconut oil promotes reduction in waistline, without impairing your blood lipid profile (means that it is not bad for your cholesterol  levels). Some people don’t tolerate coconut products though.  In that case, coconut foods ferment in the small intestine and can trigger discomfort, bloating, belching, diarrhoea or constipation (http://shepherdworks.com.au/disease-information/low-fodmap-diet)

• Raw Honey is a nice choice for a sweet treat. It is a much better choice than refined sugar as it contains a small amount of minerals, vitamins and amino acids. It is well-known for its antioxydants and antimicrobial effects. If you experiment some digestive issues, try to switch for maple syrup or molasses(http://shepherdworks.com.au/disease-information/low-fodmap-diet)

• And enjoy the beautiful taste of cinnamon, which has some properties to help stabilize your blood sugar levels. 

I hope you enjoyed this post and the delicious Paleo Granola by Sarah Ballantyne.