Christmas Spice Granola

Hello Beauties!

This a bit of a quick last minute Christmas idea post, that is thoughtful, eco friendly and most importantly tastes amazing !

The holidays have crept up on us already! This year really has flown by, and that could be because we have a new member to our family keeping us very busy (: Our Benji is 8 months old and this is his very first Christmas!

To be honest my husband and I are not “big” festive people. We don’t usually hang decorations, put up a tree and buy gifts for everyone! When we go to our family we join in on the usual traditions: lunch and relaxing together, and presents are handed out mostly for the kids. Since we now have Benji to think of, I have in turn taken more time to think about Christmas and what it means to me, and what we want Benji to learn and know about it. And I don’t want to be the Christmas grinch family that doesn’t celebrate at all. Its all about balance and before we had Benji, I didn’t want to celebrate too much as I saw a lot of Christmas being about consumerism , materialism and so much waste. Instead of love, family , being kind and giving to people that need -these are the things I want Benj to enjoy. Our world is so full of STUFF, our lives are SO full of STUFF. People often buy gifts just to buy a gift – without much thought. Then there is all the wrapping paper, the plastic toys wrapped in plastic and oh so much food that could feed an army. According to the Wall Street Journal, gift wrapping sales in the U.S. totaled $9.36 billion in 2010 (more than the combined GDP of Africa’s 9 poorest countries). One of the problems with traditional wrapping paper is that its dying and lamination make recycling difficult. This means that most of that paper does not end up in a plastic bin targeted for reuse, but in trash bags headed for a landfill and we produce 4 million pounds of it.”

 I encourage you to take a moment and think about what you are consuming, getting caught up in the rush of Christmas and all the material stuff. We are all guilty of it. 

Look into re-use wrapping paper and gift bags from birthdays and Christmas last year, buy gifts from second hand stores or e-bay, or look for local busineses making good products, good for our planet..Or make something- like this granola ! I have posted some gift ideas over on my Instagram (kirstyloves_za)

The last few years I have made Granola or ginger bread cookies as a gift for my family. It is so easy , so yum, and inexpensive. And it also makes your kitchen smell amazing while it bakes.

 

Recipe

2 cups Oats

1/2 Cup Almonds

1/2 Cup Pecans

1 Cup Cranberries

1/2 Cup Pumpkin Seeds

2 tsp Fresh grated Nutmeg

3 tsp Cinnamon

2 tsp Powdered Ginger

1 tsp Vanilla powder

1/2 Cup Coconut Oil

1/3 Cup Maple Syrup

Directions

Preheat your oven at 190 degrees. In a large bowl, add in your oats, nuts, half of the pumpkin seeds and your spices. In a pot, melt down your coconut oil and add in your maple syrup. Mix it up well. Then add your coconut mixture to your oats mixture and mix together. Place in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Allow to cool and then add it the rest of your seeds and cranberries. Place into jars for loved ones or put some straight into a bowl with some plant based milk to enjoy!

I hope you enjoy this recipe – please let me know how yours turns out! I wish you a happy Christmas filled with so much love and laughter.

 

Some great documentaries to check out

Minimalism

The true cost

 

 

 

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