Happy Wednesday guys!
I had so much fun making this, belting it out to my favourite songs and dancing around my kitchen. Because sometimes you just need those moments, right? Haha, well most of those moments for me are in the kitchen, concocting my next recipe. And this one in particular was very enjoyable because I literally just threw all the ingredients in a bowl and I was done. And the result was this tasty, nutritious medley loaded with protein and a ton of superfoods.
This is my kind of comfort food because I can eat it whenever, and it literally makes me feel good, as comfort food should.
Why add quinoa to granola?
You might think quinoa is a strange ingredient for granola. And I was definitely hesitant at first about the flavour it would add. But after trying it, I really enjoyed the nutty bite that it gave this recipe.
And on top of that quinoa has an array of health benefits that make it a worthwhile addition to any meal. It's a whole grain (or super grain as some call it) that is rich in antioxidants. It's high in protein, with 8 grams of protein in one cup. It's very high in iron, which is important for the circulation of oxygen in the body. It also contains lysine, a property that contributes to the growth and repair of tissues in the body, like skin, thereby helping to prevent aging. It's very high in the mineral magnesium, which contributes to energy production, healthy teeth and bones, and detoxification processes within the body.
Walnuts, the superfood that helps you sleep
Walnuts contain a hormone called melatonin, which regulates your body's natural sleep and wake cycles. Eating walnuts before bed is actually a recommended aid for a good night’s sleep.
Additionally, walnuts are high in antioxidants like vitamin E, which helps prevent heart disease. Walnuts also help reduce the risk of diabetes, improve bone health, prevent cancerous cells from forming and improve metabolism.
Baking or cooking can reduce nutrients in food
There are certain nutrients that are reduced when we bake or apply various forms of heat to our food. Some examples of the nutrients that are diminished are vitamins C, A, D, K, E, B1, potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium. Moreover, many phytonutrients and other antioxidants present in foods will be completely destroyed if very high heat is applied during cooking. This is also one of the main reasons for eating raw foods.
Why this is a no-bake recipe
I tried this recipe by baking the granola for 10 minutes, and I tried it by not baking at all. And I found that by not baking the granola, I felt much better after eating it. So I let my body be the judge of which I preferred, and I decided that this should be a no-bake recipe for maximum vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Here's how I did it
Ingredients
1/4 cup uncooked quinoa
1/4 cup walnuts, almonds and pecans, chopped
2 tbsp sunflower seeds
2 tbsp hemp hearts
2 tbsp dried cranberries
2 tbsp cacao nibs
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1-3 tbsp organic maple syrup
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/8 tsp sea salt
Directions
And in case you missed it, here's my recipe for Chocolate Date Truffles filled with juicy dates, covered in creamy peanut butter, and dipped in rich vegan "milk" chocolate...
Sources:
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4994/7-Benefits-of-Quinoa-The-Supergrain-of-the-Future.html
https://authoritynutrition.com/cooking-nutrient-content/
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/seed-and-nut/health-benefits-of-walnuts.html
Recipe and photos are mine and original.
You can also connect with me on Instagram
This is so amazing. I am always struggling to find my way to healthy diet. Upvoted and following :D
I see you are from Ontario. I am from toronto :)
Oh wow glad you find it useful! I'm from Toronto, too! Just moved out to the country last year :D I've followed you too. I really like your travel blog series about India. My great grandparents are from India and I've always wanted to visit. Looks beautiful :)
That's amazing @natashahall which part of Toronto ? I am glad you liked them. Even I moved to the country last year haha from India. Where are you from ?
You should visit India its so beautiful ! so many unexplored places. Infact il be going back in couple of weeks!! Excited ! :D
I'm from the annex (downtown) :) I really want to visit! Actually I'm getting together with my great-aunt soon and she's going to show me how to cook some authentic Indian food, like homemade roti. I'm really excited about that. That's awesome that you're going back to India! I look forward to reading about it in your blog :D
Wao, so lucky I wished to live in DT!! because of my college i am staying in scarborough. You should, Let me when ever you make a plan. I would suggest you good places.
Thanks so amazing !! I love roti and Indian home cooked food, been a long time i had tough. Are you born and brought up here ?
@natashahall Thank you for providing awareness on more conscious food choices. Continue to share this precious knowledge and be a positive influence on the vegan community. Much love, Namaste :)
Thanks for the feedback @captainpearson :) Will do!
Nice recipe..Dear👌
Followed you ,
Please visit my profile ,hope you like my post and follow me...@saan
Thanks @saan :)
Great report Natasha, greetings @natashahall
Thanks so much @oscarps!
keep it coming
looks healthy and should be delicious as well
Thank you @rehan12!
as always welcome
Very interesting recipe. I love granola but would cook it as I love the crunch you get from doing so, but that's just me. :)X
Totally! To each his/her own. The uncooked quinoa does add some crunch to it as well :)
Oh thanks for that. I just wonder if the maple syrup and oil unbaked does not soften the ingredients. Do they keep well or do you make fresh each day. Like the recipe so that is why I am asking questions. Hope you don't mind?:)X
It keeps well in the fridge. And with the amount of nuts, sunflower seeds and quinoa it retains a crunchy texture. All the best :)
Really yummy. Liked it so much just promoted it on my last post. :)X
thanks @allaboutpastries :)
Uff looks delicious and healthy thanks for sharing :) #keepsteemin
Thanks @warrkin!
Looks really good. Nice photos.
Thanks so much @gustoo :)
Thanks Natasha, i'll be checking in more often for recipes!
You're welcome! Thanks for the support :)
Yummmm...
Why thank you :)
Wow I'm so glad to read your amazing recipe @natashahall! Been quite some days! Hope all fine on your side!
Thanks for your usual great tips!
@progressivechef
Thanks @progressivechef! You're welcome! Oh yeah, nothing to worry about. I've been working on a big surprise I have planned, stay tuned! :D
That's sound really interesting @natashahall! Will surely wait for it!
Wonderful post , Upvoted
Thanks @machhour! Appreciate it :)
Amazing @natashahall
Thanks @atta09!
Ok, thank you too friend
Such a great idea to add quinoa to the granola. I'll give it a try next time I'll make some. Just made a fresh batch the other day.
Thanks @amy-goodrich! Let me know how you like it :)
You're welcome! I sure will let you know! I bet it tastes delicious.
I love the idea of quinoa in granola. I always think of it as a savory food but you're breaking all the rules! Love it! :)
Thanks hun! :)
gracias por la infomacion
De nada :)
Wow, looks great! I want to eat that :D
Thanks! Haha :)
Yumi, this granola looks great!
I love your blog! :)
Followed
Thanks @tantra! Appreciate the feedback :)
@natashahall I feel very hungry and quickly come home quickly to eat ... cool
Thanks @dianclasher :)
@natashahall .. your postings that make me have to immediately buy ice cream .. hahahah
Regard
@steem77
Lol thanks :)
Hahahah ...
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STOPupped resteemed and followed.....I love all superfood granola breakfasty type things. SOOOOOO YUMMY!!!
Many thanks @aaronmda! Glad you liked it :)
I like the truffle especially with a date and chocolate. It's nice recipe. I hope when i try it will come nice like in the photo.
Thanks @creativewoman! Good luck! And let me know how it goes :)
I thank you for this simple recipe and can't wait to get the ingredients together and try this for myself. I love how you described all the benefits of each ingredient and I could feel myself feeling better just in your words. Word are a powerful life force as described in the ancient text of God's Holy Word. Thank you so much for sharing these great food ideas. I follow you now and look forward to reading more of your post. I pray blessings over you and yours. Shalom, Brother Charlz
Thanks @charlz! I really appreciate that :)
holy smokes @natashahall this looks DANK
Thanks so much @jawdy! Glad you liked it :)
Wow so great and so healthy! I love it that you dont need to bake it. Thanks for sharing @natashahall!
You're welcome @alinalisa! Thanks for the feedback :)
Looks incredible! Thanks for sharing :D
Thanks @lisamodular!
Super yummy and super healthy Natasha............and all those products looks very familiar lol. Upvoted 🌸💖🌸
Thanks @lenasveganliving! Appreciate it :D