You’re hungry; I’m hungry: let’s make granola! This cinnamon-y, just-sweet-enough, great-for-you, nutty treat is just the protein-packed crunch you are craving for breakfast, snack and/or dessert! Sprinkle on top of your peanut-butter-covered english muffin (my fave), mix into yogurt with craisins, raisins and/or berries, or enjoy it straight up, with milk. This granola is cheaper, tastier and healthier than anything you can buy in a store, and it will make your kitchen smell like heaven while it toasts up in the oven. I made a LOT, because I want it to last a while (we eat granola like there is no tomorrow around here), and I will add craisins and maybe a few mini-chocolate chips to individual servings as we go through it. This will be mixed with whole nuts and will go into my boys’ lunches as “trail mix,” and will be our go-to morning crunch and sweetness. With all of the hidden protein in this recipe, this granola will keep us all going for hours. You can add whatever you like and modify quantities to serve your granola habits.
This recipe was inspired by and adapted from a recipe which belongs to my great friends, Crystal Seaver and Jesse Jamnik, fitness coaches and amazing athletes. Crystal is the gorgeous, muscle-y one on the left (and that’s my superstar, mother-of-four, lightening-fast running partner and dear friend, Seana, in the middle)!
Crystal and Jesse run ultra-marathons in their spare time and know a thing or two about the nutrition, meal-planning, time, energy and discipline that is required to support a high-intensity lifestyle. I highly suggest a visit to their blog, musclesandmiles.com, for inspiration (they are two of the most inspiring people I have ever met), ideas, training tips (build muscle while building mileage), as well as great nutrition info and recipes!