Paleo "Granola"

Recipe idea from @oursweetjourney on Instagram. 

4 cups raw, unsalted nuts and seeds (I used pecans, walnuts, and almonds... couldn't find any raw seeds!) 

1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

1/4 c coconut oil 

1-2 T coconut butter (I bought this at TJ maxx) 

2 tsp spices (I used cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice) 

Optional* Drizzle of honey or maple syrup (think 1-2 Tablespoons)

1. Pulse nuts and seeds in food processor. 

2. Melt coconut oil and coconut butter. 

3. Pour over nuts/seeds mixture and stir well to combine. 

4. Spread over parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

5. Bake at 350 for 20-25 mins. Stir half way through. Remove from oven.

6. Drizzle on honey or maple syrup. Stir. Let cool lying flat. Store in mason jars or airtight container. I may even try to store it in the freezer! 

Today...

This has been a great day. I got off work early and was able to make it to the Farmer's Market! I love going when I can because a rancher there sells different cuts of local grass fed meat, including really good ground beef for only $5 per pound! There are always lots of fruits, vegetables, honeys, salsas, and homemade goods to check out too.

On another note, I've really been enjoying our snacks lately. I usually pack two snacks in Billie's lunch (boys can EAT) and one snack in mine. And sometimes, it's hard to get creative! But a friend at church gave me some peaches, which I've been eating with cinnamon and almond butter. 

Also I made extra pesto from THIS RECIPE this week. And I've been dipping veggies like cucumber, bell pepper, and carrot sticks in the pesto. YUM. Here is another great paleo pesto recipe- sans sun-dried tomatoes. 

One last note... I have a good friend who is doing her first Whole30...Or a 30-day strict paleo challenge. And I decided to join her for the last few weeks (kind of like a Whole21.)

One problem: I LOVE coffee... it's one of my favorite things. And I usually use heavy cream in it (therein lies the problem- no dairy.) But I've had some persistent eczema lately (TMI?) and I know that dairy irritates it. I thought that the small amount I was having in my coffee couldn't hurt. But I think I am wrong! So I am looking forward to seeing if using coconut milk for 21 days instead will help! I have never been crazy about cold coconut milk in my coffee. But it is a lot better when FROTHED, with cinnamon... using my fancy Capresso cappucino machine. Yay for awesome wedding gifts!