Ginger Snap Granola

image source

This one goes out to my cookie lovers.  Much in the same way that the addition of orange juice suddenly makes drinking champagne at 10am ok, this granola is like eating cookies for breakfast with little to no guilt.



I made this last night and brought a little bowl of it into the living room to share with Andrew while we watched an old episode of Lost.  He took a taste, and then literally dumped the entire contents of the bowl into his mouth.  I guess he liked it?  I'd had enough during my taste-testing anyway.

Ingredients

• 2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup pecans
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 cup agave nectar
• 1/4 cup organic unsulphured molasses
• 1 Tbsp ginger paste
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 Tbsp organic coconut oil

Directions

Preheat the oven to 250F
Combine agave nectar, molasses, ginger paste, and spices in a small mixing bowl.
In a medium mixing bowl, stir together oats, coconut, pecans, and salt.
Melt coconut oil in a pan on low heat, just until it's melted and then remove from heat.
Pour agave/molasses/ginger/spices mixture on oat mixture and stir until fully coated.
Pour coconut oil over mixture and stir again.
Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet with sides and bake for 50 minutes, stirring every 10 - 15 minutes.
Let cool completely and store in an airtight container.

side note: don't do a google image search for "ginger snaps" expecting to get closeup pictures of cookies.  You won't, and what you do get is not pretty.  I think I might be scarred for life by what I saw.  You definitely want to have the word "cookie" in your search criteria.  

The Power of NO

I haven't been really losing weight at the rate I'd like to, and I have a ways to go.  I know a big part of the reason is I've been too lax on my indulgences, so today I practiced my ability to say no.  So far today, I've said no to girl scout cookies, cheese (and you know how tough that is for me!), and cream and sugar in my coffee.

Rather than feeling deprived, I feel strong and in control.  I'm proud of being able to choose my long term goal over immediate satisfaction.  It's not always easy for me.  And because I was able to deny those midday indulgences and go to the gym, I can enjoy a glass or two of wine this evening, absolutely guilt free.  Folks, I've just traded up.

a serious test in restraint

Ladies, wish me well.  I have a whole tupperware of molasses spice cookies in my file cabinet drawer and I'm starving.  Not only did I make them with regular wheat flour (for other people), but I'm also trying to limit my carb intake to 55g per day.  I'm at 53.  Basically I need to eat a giant hunk of meat and nothing else.  That means none of these:

Oh the pain!

I'm pumped to get together with some of my favorite ladies tonight and tune in for another episode of Biggest Loser!  Maybe we'll wii-hulahoop too!