Cookbooks

I love cookbooks! The older I've become and the more I cook and bake, the more I enjoy getting ideas and inspiration from cookbooks. It's a fun collection to have and I love the way they look displayed in a kitchen space.

For Christmas I got a new book I'm very excited about. (Thanks Lindsey!) It's a cookbook my Mom has had for ages (the original came out in the late 1970's). It's handwritten and has little illustrations. It's really beautiful to read and look at. Now I'd just like to try some recipes!

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I found this cookbook when I went home last year and my Mom and I were doing a lot of food experimenting. I got it from Amazon when I went back home and I devoured it. So many great ideas, tips, and recipes.

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I saw this book in Urban Outfitters and did a little skim. I absolutely adore the layout and the photography. It's brilliant.

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Heidi Swanson is a cook genius. I love her 101cookbooks blog and her beautiful images. Now I'd just like the cookbook in my kitchen.

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Just read the cover of this book. It's a no-duh. "Protect the Earth, Improve Your Health, and Eat Deliciously" Sure!

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There are so many great cookbooks out there. What is your tried and true cookbook? What do you have in your kitchen or what do you want in your kitchen?

Honey

I love using honey in my granola. It might just be my favorite ingredient. Here are a few reasons you should love honey too:

+it soothes sore throats
+it's great for athletes and gives an energy boost
+anti-allergenic
+natural antiseptic
+natural sweetener
+helps the body rehydrate

Recently I've been curious about using raw honey in my granola, but I wanted to do some research first. I learned that what makes raw honey actually "raw" is not too far off from regular honey anyways. But...like all raw food the goal is for it to be close to it's original condition---what it was in when it left the beehive. When buying raw honey you can bet it's unheated, unpasteurized, nothing added, and nothing removed. As much as possible I'd like to get more unprocessed foods in my diet so I can get the maximum in vitamins and enzymes.

In my research I found some local honey companies that I'd love to support.
Here are a few:
The Honey Jar which was started by a 17 year old and is located North of Salt Lake City
Miller's Honey Company located in downtown Salt Lake City
Neighborhood Bee Keeping which can be ordered online

Currently in the dehydrator...my first batch of granola using raw honey. I have a feeling it won't disappoint.

testers

Thanks to all my granola taste testers.
After every batch I bag up a sample for some trusty tasters.
Thanks guys.

set it and forget it

This is by far my best and favorite batch of granola. After 12 hours in a dehydrator I was able to obtain the most ideal cluster and crunch. I love how evenly toasted it is and not flash cooked like in an oven. The low temperatures save the nutritional value and importantly the enzymes. Another plus of dehydrated foods is that it inhibits the growth of bacteria by removing the water content at a suitable temperature. What that means? Dehydrated food lasts longer.

you know what's great?

listening to The National
and making granola.

just you wait...

I'm coming back here soon with more granola delights.

let the sunshine in

it's supposed to rain this weekend,

maybe this will brighten things up around here.

Raisins

Raisins are adult food to me. I have gradually grown to like and now love them. Gimme Gimme. Like really...I could eat Raisin Bran for all three meals every day.
That's why I include them in some of my granola mixes. They've got some nice nutrients in their little wrinkly bod. Calcium (healthy bones and teeth), Magnesium (healthy heart, healthy muscles), Phosphorus (healthy kidney, healthy mind), Potassium (healthy body fluids, healthy blood), a few grams of Fiber and some Antioxidant power.
Raisins are a win.

Coconut Oil

Supernova Granola is pretty heavy on the coconut.
I like to use unsweetened coconut flakes, coconut flour, and coconut oil.
I'm not sure how I got started on coconut oil, but I'm really glad I did. I've learned what an amazing and actually important part it can play in our health.

"It supports our overall immune functions; prevents bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, and digestive disorders; and increases the metabolic rate."-Oz Garcia, Ph.D. on coconut oil

The saturated fat in coconut is commonly used as a negative towards this healthy food. The fatty acids in coconut oil are powerful antibiotics and the they are easier to metabolize.
It's one of the top oils recommended by health experts.

another tip: I love using coconut oil when making popcorn on the stove.

#4

I call this the "Top That" breakfast:

Van's Multigrain Waffle
Cottage Cheese
Frozen Berries
Cherry Chocolate Ginger Splendor Supernova Granola

Recipe: Apple-Filled Squash

Apple-Filled Squash

1 acorn squash-cut in 4ths, seeds removed
1 Golden Delicious apple-peeled, cored, and sliced
butter (I used spray butter)
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
Dash of ground cloves
Sprinkle of lemon juice

Heat oven to 350 F. Place quarters, skin side up, in a dish and cover; bake 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine apple, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Turn cut sides of acorn up; spray with butter and top with apple mixture. Cover and bake 30 minutes longer or until apples are tender.

When your acorn squash is ready to eat, top with some Nova Granola. It added a nice flavorful crunch to the softened dish. I used my molasses+raisin+nutmeg granola.

Apples

Apples are an amazing fruit. Although it is one of the most common in the produce aisle I find myself overwhelmed at which brand to pick from. Pink Lady, McIntosh, Gala, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Jonagold, Braeburn on and on.

One thing I've tried to do is, when possible, buy organic apples. Apples are on the list of 12 foods most contaminated with pesticides. I seem to think that a quick rinse won't wash those pesticides away. Don't let that steer you away from eating these wonderful fruits. They are 2nd place in antioxidant power!!! 1st place being cranberries. Which really means apples are very helpful at keeping you healthy and fighting off disease.

Apples are easy to take on-the-go and have many more great qualities:
+Sodium free
+Fat free
+Cholesterol free
+Packed with soluble fiber-meaning it can lower bad cholesterol and steady blood sugar levels
+Budget-friendly

Lucky for us it's fall and that means they are in season! Go forth and consume!

Recipe: Homemade Chunky Applesauce

I had a green apple sitting on my counter and some fresh baked granola out of the oven and I decided I'd like to introduce them. Turns out...they make a friendly combo.

Homemade Chunky Applesauce
Green Apple peeled and diced into bite size pieces
1tsp or so of lemon juice
a sprinkle of sugar or agave
water to fill the base of the sauce pan

boil all until water is gone and apple chunks are soft
sprinkle with Nova Granola
(I used my Molasses+Raisin+Nutmeg granola)

Greek Yogurt

When it comes to eating yogurt, I like mine topped with granola. It is the complementary crunch to the creamy thickness of Greek yogurt. For almost a year I've chosen Greek yogurt over standard yogurts for a few key reasons.

+Greek yogurt has almost double the protein as standard yogurts
+It's creamier and thicker
+Lower in carbohydrates
+Low sodium content
+No added sweeteners, thickeners, preservatives, or high fructose corn syrup

Look for Greek yogurt at your local market:
Chobani
Fage
Oikos
Voskos
Greek Gods

I'd love to try making my own and I've found a recipe here that looks worth trying. (via the little red house)

Do you eat Greek yogurt? Have you tried any interesting flavor or brands you'd like to share?

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Banana Chocolate Cranberry Granola
Greek Yogurt