Modifying Original Recipes to Fit Your Needs!

A blog about healthy eating, healthy living and happiness. Join me and I'll show you how easy it is to substitute, modify and enhance your favorite recipes to accommodate your special diet, all without missing a thing!

December 16, 2012

Oat Free Quinoa Apricot Granola

I've come to a realization lately. Well, really more of a re-realization.

Granola, some sort of fruit be it fresh or dried, and yogurt, is a breakfast that I'm sort of... obsessed with. I guess it's really not that bad seeing as how granola can be made in a variety of ways, showcasing a multitude of flavors and textures all depending on the ingredients chosen. It's a healthy snack, a filling breakfast, something that may just become my everyday fall-back.

Anyway... during this re-realization I thought about the many people who are intolerant to oats... *gasp!* How sad it must be to go to your local grocer and not be able to pick up your weekly batch of granola, simply because, the sweet little oats don't act so sweet when settled in your belly. Naturally, I was just not okay with this fact. And thus... the oat free granola was born!


This recipe still follows closely to my many others, packed with nutrition and protein, a hint of sweetness and the perfect crunch to accompany your smooth and creamy yogurt of choice. The best part? It takes about 15 minutes to make, start to finish. I'm sensing you're ready for the recipe, am I right?

Oat Free Quinoa Apricot Granola
3/4 c quinoa flakes
1oz raw pumpkin seeds (just under 1/4c)
8 dried apricots (cut into small pieces)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
3/4 c Perky's Crunchy Flax Cereal

2 tbsp cashew butter (I used Artisana)
2 tbsp pure maple syrup
1/4 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside. Combine quinoa flakes through cinnamon in a medium bowl. Slowly heat cashew butter, maple syrup and vanilla in a small saucepan until stirred to a smooth consistency. Add wet ingredients to the quinoa flake mixture, start the mixing with a spoon but you'll need to get dirty for this yummy granola, using your hands to finish off the mixing process. Place mixture in the oven for 6 minutes, remove and stir. Place back into the oven for 2-3 more minutes (at this point the granola should be golden and slightly brown at the edges). Remove from oven and add in the Crunchy Flax Cereal. Let granola cool, place into a mason jar and store on the counter.

Enjoy this oat free granola over yogurt, with a banana and almond milk for a delicious non-traditional cereal treat, or munch for a portable snack any time of day. It's delicious, it's oat free, and it's packed with good for you nutrients!

Let's take a look at the nutrition facts, shall we?

Per 1/2 cup serving
217cal
34g carbs
4g fiber
6g protein
10g sugar

Eat up and enjoy, and maybe keep a secret stash away from the public eye of your kitchen... it just may disappear faster than you'd like!





December 6, 2012

Pumpkin Pie Bread, a Cutie and a Giveaway!

Quite the title, right? Let me explain...

Today, I'm going to do things a little different... less words... more pictures!




a cutie!!! 

My adorable cousin I finally got to meet! He's a ball of energy with smiles all the time... love you Tyler!


and a giveaway!

Rocky Mountain Popcorn Co. wants to give one lucky winner a Holiday Notta Tin! And let me tell you... it is quite a wonderful holiday gift!













Alright... let's get back to that simply divine pumpkin bread pictured above... I had been craving something full-on-fall, melt-in-your-mouth, something with loads of pumpkin flavor. Well my friends, thanks to an incredible gluten free blogger, and really, one of my favorites - Gluten Free Goddess... mission accomplished. I followed this recipe for Pumpkin Pie Bread, and made only a few minor substitutions...
  •  I used oat flour in place of the buckwheat flour
  • reduced the brown sugar to 1/2 cup
  • used only 1/2 tsp. of xanthan gum
  • *I did use 2 real eggs for this one and truly, I think it makes all the difference
This bread is soft, moist, yet somewhat crumbly - just enough to have you licking the plate for every last taste [just be sure to do this with class ;-)]. The flavor is unbelievable, just sweet enough with a prominent pumpkin flavor, yet not overwhelming. Perfect with a lovely cup of coffee, or as an afternoon snack, or perhaps, heating this up with a dollop of dairy free ice cream would be a magnificent way to round out a meal. Any way you eat it, all will love it and be begging for more (I have proof!)

And now... drum roll please... the giveaway! I mentioned this in the last post but want to emphasize the great gift you will receive! I personally received my Notta Tin a few days ago and the bags well... they are starting to run a little low ;-)

It's so simple to enter, but act fast, this giveaway is almost over!

Each of the following will count as one entry (and yes, each person can do all of these, that's up to four entries!)

  1. Become a follower of It Really Works! and leave a comment below telling me what you plan on doing this holiday season to stay healthy!
  2. Follow us on on Facebook and mention the giveaway to your friends, tagging It Really Works!
  3. Follow me on Twitter @melainadaniel and tweet about this great contest! (You could say something like, "Check out this great #gf popcorn giveaway by #melainadaniel of It Really Works!" - (be sure to include the link to this post!)
  4. *Extend the joy and tell your friends! I know, I can't really count this one but in the spirit of giving, give your friends a chance at this great prize!