Clean Eating Thursday #5- Healthy Maple Almond Granola

As stated in previous posts, we here have a breakfast obsession. I am always trying out new recipes and ideas to spice up breakfast. My gal pals are always teasing me saying my kids smell like syrup when I drop them off in the morning. Boxed cereal...you are NOT welcome here!!

I love plain yogurt for breakfast. I have been sprinkling it with flaxseed, nuts, berries and agave nectar. YUM!! Well...this granola is AMAZING with yogurt. I found it in my The Happy Baker Cookbook. (Which by the way...I LOVE! The happy baker, Erin, is a crack up and her food photography is my favorite I have seen.) This granola is clean and healthy (except for the maple syrup (which you could substitute honey for if you are trying to eat 100% "clean"))

My kids were eating this dry by the handful. It is sweet and cinnamon-y and crunchy. I will be adding this to our breakfast staples.

Healthy Maple-Almond Granola
Source: The Happy Baker

Put the following ingredients into your cart...
1/2 cup Maple Syrup
2 Tab. honey
1 Tab. vegetable oil
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup flaxseed meal
2 cups quick oats
1 cup slivered or whole almonds
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1 cup dark/bittersweet chocolate chips
Put your apron on and...

1. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Spray with Pam your 9 X 13.

2. In a medium saucepan, combine syrup, honey, oil, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add vanilla. Stir in the rest of your ingredients except the chocolate chips.

3. Bake for 35-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Granola will crisp when cool. When completely cool, add chocolate chips. (I added dried cranberries. Raisins would be good too. Any dry fruit)
Store in an airtight container.

Chocolate Dipped Orange Slices

I have been stalking the computer last night and tonight for 5 minutes to blog. We are planning a trip to Mexico in May and like all decisions that must be made...Paul researches. When we needed to buy a car, a house, any electronic, tent, etc. Paul researches for days...sometimes weeks. He does a lot of checking things out at the store and coming home empty handed. Do you have a man in your life like this? Me? I am the opposite. I am the impulse buyer who lives with constant buyers remorse.

So...due to many more resorts that must be appraised, I chose these delights to share with you this evening. This is more of an idea than an actual recipe. I made five oranges the other afternoon that were instantly gobbled by hungry little people. They were a hit!

Chocolate Covered Orange Slices
Idea from: Paula Dean Holiday Baking Magazine

1 - 2 cups of chocolate-(I used a handful of dark chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips. You could use sweetened baking squares or cacao bars. Keep it dark chocolate and you can call these healthy!)

3-5 oranges

Peel and separate orange. Lay orange slices out on baking sheet covered with wax paper. Melt chocolate in microwave or double boiler. I always use the double boiler. Dip half of each orange section in chocolate and lay on wax paper. Set all orange slices in refrigerator for about 10 minutes til set. They will be gone instantly!