So it’s day 3 of my pre-spring cleaning cleanse and
I’ve already google imaged a variety of pastries. Some bank had a promotional stand set up in our lobby today and I could already see a bunch of brown stuff on the table (likely chocolate cookies), so I knew I would have to exercise an inordinate amount of self-restraint. My co-worker and I approached the table and after politely listening to some horrific savings account opening incentive, she went for the best looking cookie on the table. I somberly declined and we walked on. I don't know who I am anymore.
Also, last night, I dreamt about guava.
Before I share with you a recipe for the most
luxuriously healthy granola, I just want to mention that I don’t know
what I was thinking when I said that the
Vaseline body moisturizer I use
is scent-free. I used it twice on my arms and didn’t
smell anything but that was maybe because I had a cold. I lathered it
on again last night and
oh my god. It’s like if Vaseline was a regular ol’ joe shmoe man,
this Vaseline would be a man wearing a Dior tie. It’s got this rich
fragrance of honey and cologne, but not in a masculine way, just in a
way that makes you imagine a stranger. I was
totally not expecting this smell, and suddenly it covered me, and I
felt like there was someone new in the room (doesn’t that just happen to
you every day?). You know how sometimes you smell something and because
you’ve never smelled anything like it before,
your mind doesn’t go to anything. It just …stays right there, and
creates a new sensation of that very moment. Anyway, that’s how I felt. I
think I might be high.
So, this granola was inspired by
Secret Squirrel Food, who posts unbelievable (and unbelievably
healthy) meals she makes and/or eats in Dubai. She recently posted a
beautiful granola dish which makes me wonder why the farthest I’ll go to
decorate my granola is with a sprinkling of cinnamon.
I decided to make my own granola this time, which was incredibly easy. Here’s how you do it:
Combine:
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup white quinoa
½ cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped almonds
1 tsp salt
Nutmeg, Ginger, Cardamom …about ½ teaspoon each.
Then add:
½ cup maple syrup
¼ cup coconut oil
Stir until everything is well combined, then throw
into a 300 degree oven for about 45 minutes. You want the granola to
look toasted/golden, but don’t worry if it’s still soft. It’ll harden up
while it’s cooling!
Get yourself some lovely natural yogurt. I love the
Balkan style one because it’s unsweetened and brings out the flavour of
the berries and granola. No starches, no sugar, just the basics. Plop
some into a bowl, throw in your wonderful
granola, and then top with:
Pistachios
Strawberries
Chia seeds
Coconut flakes
Oh, and for that last bit of magic: drizzle it with honey!
I happened to have Spanish blossom honey kicking
around (don’t ask why), and it did the job perfectly. You can use any
honey in the world, it honestly won’t matter. It’ll still be amazing.
And now, admire your beautiful meal and Instagram the hell out of it. I suggest X-Pro II…
