Pumpkin Granola

The most delicious thing I've made all week. And that is not just because I let my friend talk me into a 6 week health challenge...I am pretty confident I can win because the parameters are these:

1. Drink 64 oz water a day = easy

2. Exercise 30 minutes a day = easy

3. 3 servings of fruit a day = easy

4. 4 servings of vegetables = easy

5. Eat clean = easy

6. No eating after 8 pm = hard

Every day you do each thing you get one point per item up to 36 points per week. So you basically get one cheat day a week. Luckily for me, I already live my life this way except for the not eating after 8. I usually eat a bowl of cereal every night before bed, so that part has been hard, but other than that it has been fine.

Anyway, the reason I got off on this tangent is because my "clean eating" goal is to not eat anything that has more than 4 g refined sugar per serving. So to satisfy my need for cereal on a daily basis I made this granola and it is so good. I LOVE IT. It is so good. My kids love it. My husband loves it. It is great.

Ingredients

5 c Rolled Oats or GF Oats

1/4 c Hemp Hearts

2 T Chia Seeds + 5 T Water

1/4 c Flax Seed Meal

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Cinnamon

1/4 tsp Ground Cloves

1 tsp Fresh Ginger, ground

1/3 c Coconut Oil, melted OR Avocado Oil

1/3 c Pure Maple Syrup

2 T Black Strap Molasses

1/2 c Pumpkin Puree

Dried fruit of choice, optional

**I used chopped dried apricots, dried blueberries, and dried plums**

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

2. Combine chia seeds and water and stir. A few minutes later, stir again so they plump up but don't clump up. 3. Combine dry ingredients. 4. Add oil, molasses and syrup. Stir to combine. Fold in pumpkin and chia goop. Taste and add more sweetener and spices as needed. 5. Spread on baking sheet. Bake 30 minutes. Stir every 10 minutes to prevent burning and to have an even bake. 6. Let cool a few minutes to crisp up. Add the dried fruit if using. 7. ENJOY