Granola bars might look healthy but the reality is, most shop-bought ones are packed full of sugar and other nasty things that sneakily cause our waistlines to expand!  But fear not, as not all granola bars are unhealthy.  I’ve found this yummy recipe that will have you ditching those chocolate bars in no time!

You will need:

- 2 cups oats
- 3/4 cup wheat germ
- 3/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup peanuts, crushed
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4 Tbsp butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- approximately 8 oz. dried fruit

Method:

- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C.

- Crush the peanuts

- Mix the peanuts, oats, wheat germ, and sunflower seeds in a baking dish.

- Toast the mixture in the oven for 10-12 minutes, stirring every few minutes so that they don’t get burned.

- Prepare a glass baking dish (about 11 x 13 inches) for your granola by lining it with waxed paper lightly sprayed with a nonstick spray.

- Put the brown sugar, honey, butter, vanilla, and salt into a saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly.

- Once the grains and nuts are toasted, mix everything together in a large bowl.

- Mix well and then place granola mixture into your prepared baking dish

- Fold over the sides of the waxed paper or add a sheet on top, and press all over the granola. You want to compact it together so that your bars won’t fall apart when you cut them.

- Wait 2-3 hours or until the granola has totally cooled.  Cut and enjoy!

Tip: Try leaving out the peanuts next time, making the granola ’nutless’ at first, then during the pressing-down part, press almonds into the top of the bars.  Other options are macadamia nuts, dried pineapple, and coconut flakes, dried cranberries, walnuts, white chocolate chips… the list is endless!!

Images and recipe via joyfulabode.com.

Posted by Emily

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If I don’t start the day off with a ‘proper’ breakfast, you can almost guarantee that come lunchtime, I’ll be nibbling on a chocolate bar.  This is exactly what I want to avoid, so a healthy, substantial breakfast is what’s needed.  It’s easy to get sick of the same old thing, so I’m always looking for fresh ideas.  I found this yummy Nutty Breakfast Parfait recipe on the California Walnuts website… perfect!

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats   
1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped  
1/3 cup pure maple syrup, divided
2 tsp butter   
2 cups sliced hulled strawberries 
2 cups thinly sliced, peeled peaches  
1 cup blueberries
1 cup cubed peeled kiwifruit (about 3) 
2 cups non-fat plain yoghurt

Method:

Mix oats and walnuts in 13 x 9 x 2-inch (33 x 23 x 5 cm) baking tray.

Combine 1/4 cup (50 ml) of the maple syrup and butter in small saucepan. Bring to boil. Pour maple syrup mixture over oat mixture; stir to blend well.

Bake for around 10 minutes at 375°F (190°C) oven, stirring occasionally, until mixture is golden and crisp. Cool granola completely in pan.

Gently toss strawberries, peaches, blueberries, kiwifruit and remaining maple syrup in large bowl to blend. Divide half of the fruit mixture among 6 parfait or wine glasses. Sprinkle each parfait with half the granola mixture, dividing equally.  Top each with half of the yoghurt. Repeat layers. Serve immediately.

Makes 6 servings.

Posted by Emily

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Salad isn’t one of my most favourite foods but this compressed berry salad looks delicious!  With tasty food like this, we’ll all be eating healthily in no time!

For the Salad:
8 Cups Fresh Salad Mix
1 Pint Blackberries
2 Cups Fresh Strawberries
2 Cups Summer Berry Salad Dressing
1 Ripe Reed Avocado

For the Dressing
¼ Cup Strawberries
2 Cups Pine Nuts
¼ Cup Lemon Juice
½ Cup Young Thai Coconut Water
2 Tbsp Agave Nectar
1 Tsp Himalayan Salt

Method:

1. Thinly slice all strawberries. Toss salad, blackberries (save a few for garnish), avocado and dressing.

2. Using a mold with removable top begin with the mold inverted and layer thinly sliced strawberries, then salad mixture about halfway and again a layer of strawberries.

3. Finish by firmly filling in the second half of the mold with salad and compress firmly.

4. Invert mold and gently release salad

5. Garnish with fresh blackberries and a dollop of dressing.

Recipe via Greenchef

Posted by Emily

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A beer’s just a beer, right?  Well no, apparantly.  I’m not a huge fan of the stuff myself but looking at these ‘beer cocktails’ I could soon be liking it very much!  Let us know if you try one…

Limeade concentrate and orange liqueur

Fresh slices of cucumber, apple, and orange  mixed with orange juice

Made with fresh raspberries and raspberry lemonade concentrate

Make your own non-alcoholic beer from bottled ginger, lime juice, sugar, and sparkling water!  It looks so refreshing.  I love that ‘kick’ you get from ginger, too.

posted by Emily

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What better way to finish a meal than with a delightful dessert made with delicious summer fruits?  You needn’t be a pro in the kitchen though, as these simple recipes below show.  Have a go and ‘wow’ your friends!  The lovely colours just add to the temptation…

Summer Fruit Kuchen

Fruit Sundae 

Orange rice pudding

Ginger-peach ice cream pie

Images and recipes via womansday.com

posted by Emily

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