Nom Nom Mom: Paleo-go-go

Oh, the holidays! I went to Trader Joe’s with Roo the other day and there were gingerbread samples! Cocoa! And the fellow checking our groceries gave us a spoonful of Cookie Butter. Yes, Cookie Butter.

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it is also a time when our scales tip about .8 lbs heavier on average. A pound may not seem like much, but most of us don’t take it off afterward, contributing to a steady creep up in weight. 

In other words, I think my New Year’s resolution needs to start a month early this year.

So I met up with Stephanie from Primarily Paleo. Mom, blogger, nutritionist, and personal trainer, she had this alternative to offer.  

Paleo Granola

2 cups walnuts

1 cup raw macadamia nuts

1 cup raw hazelnuts

1 cup raw pumpkin seeds

1 cup raisins

1 tsp cinnamon

Cover the nuts and seed in water and leave overnight. Soak the raisins in another bowl with about 1/2 cup of water and leave overnight. Puree the raisins with their soaking liquid in a food processor. Drain the soaked nuts, discard the soaking liquid, and add them to the food processor. Pulse until the nuts are broken up into large chunks. Spread mixture on a parchment lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake in a 250 degree preheated oven until crunchy about 45 minutes, or to preserve the 'living' nut use a dehydrator or bake at your lowest oven setting for about 24 hours.

Additions: You can add various dried fruit prior to baking, like blueberries, chopped apple, banana, cranberries or you can add a dash of a savory spice like cayenne or sage. You can also substitute other raw nuts.

Danielle