i have high hopes that some day i will be an early riser.
i’ll happily roll out of bed to see the sunrise. i’ll sip a fresh cup of coffee as i sit and enjoy the quiet house. maybe read a few passages of a devotional to center my day and whisper soft prayers for each of the people i love. i’ll even complete a few simple chores before the day gets started. heck, maybe i’ll even shower in the morning again.
that day is not today…
today, i’m dragging myself out of bed. feeding tiny people. getting big people dressed and ready for school. hoping the coffee is ready in time to load the car full of my crew to get to school on time.
today needs a quick, healthy breakfast option. something that can be served quick while i cook and bag up lunch. that’s why i love this delicious nutty coconut granola. it’s full of healthy fats and protein, whole grains and natural sugars. we also only use gluten-free oats.
yes, oats themselves are gluten-free, however many oats are grown in the same rotated fields or nearby fields of wheat. then they’re often processed in the same manufacturing plants as wheat, so cross contamination potential is high. certified gluten-free oats are processed separatedly and tested to ensure no gluten has snuck in.
if you follow a gluten-free diet there are a few other things to consider regarding adding oats, in addition to eating only gluten-free oats.
- check with your doctor or dietitian before adding oats into your gluten-free diet. some people who cannot tolerate gluten may also react to a protein in pure oats called avenin. in these people, the body responds to avenin as though it is gluten. your medical professional can watch you for any symptoms resulting from eating oats.
- begin oat introduction by adding only 50 grams of gluten-free oats a day. this is approximately ½ cup dry rolled oats, ¼ cup dry steel cut oats, 1 packet instant oatmeal, ½ cup oat flour or ½ cup granola.
- adding gluten-free oats to your plate also means an increase in fiber. be sure drink lots of water. if you experience bloating or gas, let your medical professional know. it could be a reaction to the oats, but it could also be caused by the increase in fiber.
whether you’re an early riser or not, this simple granola can be a great whole grain, gluten-free way to start your day.
Gluten Free Nutty Coconut Granola
Ingredients
- 6 cups gluten-free oats
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1 cup walnut halves
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup unsweetened toasted coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 1/2 cups maple syrup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°.
- Combine all ingredients in a very large bowl. Stir well to coat oats with wet ingredients.
- Spread mixture onto an extra-large jellyroll pan or two large jellyroll pans.
- Bake at 325° for 45 minutes, stirring once or twice, or until oats or toasted and fragrant.
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container.
