Cranberry-Almond-Coconut Granola

So this week is an off week working out... I hate that...boo. Working out is my time to do something I like and it makes me feel good about life in general. When it doesn't go well, weights feel heavy, failures happen it is just a major bummer. The only highlight this week was not dying during Tuesday's workout (running, ring dips on the high rings- aka including a muscle up, dead lifts, rope climbs in 90 degrees) and Friday night when I got to do "Heavy Grace" with Kelly. Her power cleans are so ridiculously better than mine... I have the bruise on my chest to prove that slow elbows are my thing... but we did a weight that is heavy for both of us and I have never clean and jerked it that many times. Go us!

Friday night was good for another reason... I ate a steak for the first time in over 10 years! From being vegetarian and then vegan I just haven't had a steak. I know I have eaten steak cut up on a skewer and in my beef and broccoli... but this was the first time actually eating a literal hunk of meat on a plate... a filet. I went on my first official date with Rudy to the Clawson Steakhouse which is fantastic because it hasn't changed inside or out since probably the 80s. We got a table right by the dance floor and the band was made of men all in their 70s playing Frank Sinatra and all of the other "crooner" classics. We danced, ate steak, and watched the older people of the restaurant still so in love twirl their sweethearts around the floor. Perfect way to end my week.

Granola is my new breakfast (although it would have killed my date from last night- nut allergy). It's getting hotter, I am getting sick of eggs... time for a change. I don't love it plain, but I love it with the thick sweet, taste of raw milk. My friend Carrie suggested this combination and I thought I would give it a try. Carrie's baby is going to be on the 2030 Regional team with my little one... hers comes to competitions, was at Regionals.... we are both starting them early and I can't say that I'm not thrilled that my daughter is seeing so many strong women, working, lifting weights, and having babies. :) Another friend I workout with found the green mason jars I have been looking for... score! My collection is complete. I decorate, store food, and drink from them... below is a picture of my built in shelves where I keep some of them when not in use.

Cranberry- Almond- Coconut Granola

- 3 Cups Sliced Almonds (try to find them in bulk... cheaper!)
- 1 Cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
- 1 Cup Unsweetened Cranberries (if you can't find unsweetened, read the ingredients at least)
- 2 Tbsp Almond Butter
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/3 Cup Grade A Maple Syrup

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until well combined.

2. Spread in a thin layer onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

3. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Stirring at the 10 minute mark. REALLY watch it after 15 minutes... it can go from perfect to burned quickly so stir often. It will be softer until it cools. Remove from the oven and cool completely before storing in air tight containers... or my favorite... mason jars.

Nutrition Facts
Servings 6.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 456
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 36 g	55 %
Saturated Fat 10 g	50 %
Monounsaturated Fat 17 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 7 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg	0 %
Sodium 203 mg	8 %
Potassium 414 mg	12 %
Total Carbohydrate 29 g	10 %
Dietary Fiber 9 g	36 %
Sugars 16 g
Protein 12 g	24 %
Vitamin A	0 %
Vitamin C	4 %
Calcium	18 %
Iron	13 %
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.