Don’t skip breakfast.
Many skip breakfast, and when asked why, everyone seemed to agree that they cannot be bothered preparing breakfast in the morning, and many said they got tired and bored of eating the same things. Others thought that they eat more throughout the day once they have breakfast, so they prefer to go on empty instead!
Here is the thing… Breakfast can in fact make you eat more throughout the day! Yet not all breakfasts do that. If you have a highly sugary, fatty or simple-carb loaded breakfast, you are likely to eat more throughout the day. Because simple-carbs and sugars take you on an instant insulin high, which leads to a sharp drop of sugar levels, shortly after that meal. This leads you to start craving sugars and keep picking throughout your day. But the good news here is: you can avoid that! You need slow sugar-releasing meals, low GI options that do not cause spikes and lows. In other words, you need sustainable, clean energy in your system. These foods will give you the required energy, kick start your metabolism, and the slow release of sugar, keeping you energised and feeling full for the first part of the day (until lunch time), then you will follow the same guidance throughout.
A good granola is one of these options that can set the pace for your healthy, energetic day. Not only technically, but Granola, when done right, is a super delicious breakfast that will have you waiting for that first meal. You might even not resist it as a snack during the day, which is also fine.
This recipe includes all the ingredients that are super good for your body.
Like oats, which are known to decrease your cholesterol levels and are good for your blood circulation and heart. Flaxseed is one of the most celebrated foods at the moment. The Flaxseed craze is due to its low carb content, high fiber, good fat, and Omega 3 load. It is now known to be a dieter’s best friend as it loads you up with all things good, and will keep you satisfied therefore keeps hunger at bay. Another ingredient in this recipe is organic extra virgin coconut oil. This EV coconut oil is right now the hottest thing out there. It is full of essential fats that do not store in your body, rather are transformed into pure energy as soon as you consume them. This delicious and highly aromatic oil is full of fantastic nutrients for your body, and studies have shown that it can tremendously improve your immune function and acts as a tool against immune system diseases. Then there is another very hot ingredient these days, the beautiful, vibrant, red goji berries. These are the same berries that have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. They are fat-free, low in calories and full of fiber as well as highly packing antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and a wide range of phytonutrients. As such they have been named the “superfood berries” by many health experts.
Legendary Goji Berries
Some legends report that, thousands of years ago, the monks in the Himalayan Mountains, ate goji berries and steeped them in hot water to help aid their meditation and to obtain greater health, vitality, longevity, energy and stamina.
In fact, according a study published by the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, goji berry benefits include experiencing: increased ratings for energy levels, athletic performance, quality of sleep, ease of awakening, ability to focus on activities, mental acuity, calmness, feelings of health, contentment, and happiness and significantly reduced fatigue and stress.
I am exploring these properties with you, to let you know the health benefits of this recipe, however, most importantly to inspire you with good choices and options as you go grocery shopping. Little changes to our diets, and our choices can tremendously impact our lives.
Since we are talking healthy options, superfoods and incorporating them into our diets wherever possible. Almonds are also another superfood that I have included in the granola here. For a change from dairy (don’t stop dairy if you are not intolerant, just go sustainable and mix and match on different days), I have included for you a video on how you can make your own Almond Milk at home. Once you make the milk yourself you will see how different it tastes from those bought at the stores! Also how delicious that extracted goodness of almond really is.
These products are all mostly organic (if farmed), or 100% natural in the case of naturally growing (not farmed) components. We source straight from farmers at source and only use real, natural ingredients. We produce artisanal, small batch, no mass production, or industrial scale products. We only produce in season and thus our products are highly seasonal. Everything is handmade, to home quality using the season’s most outstanding produce and source. We follow old school and at times ancient techniques for food preservation, and hence use no chemicals nor any preservatives or artificial additives/colours/flavourings.
