Pumpkin Pie Granola

I have just recently became aware of seed cycling as a method of lessening symptoms of women's monthly cycles. Men can benefit as well because seed cycling is thought to regulate hormones. Either way, in one phase of seed cycling you consume pumpkin and flax seeds, so I wanted to combine them in recipes to make things easier.

I thought of granola and created a pumpkin spiced granola with both pumpkin and flax seeds. This granola has just a hint of pumpkin flavor and is lightly sweetened.

Pumpkin Pie Granola

Ingredients:

4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup flax seeds
scant 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
pinch of ground ginger

1/4 cup coconut oil, warmed
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tbsp canned pumpkin
1 tbsp brown sugar

1/3 cup raisins

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Combine the oats, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger in a large mixing bowl.

Melt the coconut oil and stir in the maple syrup, pumpkin, and brown sugar. Pour this over the oat mixture and stir well to combine.

Put the oats in a greased baking dish and put it in the pre-heated oven. Bake for 35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so (in the last 15 minutes, I stir it every 5). When the oats have turned golden brown and have crippled up, remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature. Finally, add the raisins and enjoy.

For 9 servings. Nutritional information from caloriecount.about.com

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 81 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 316 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 13.0g 20%

Saturated Fat 6.5g 32%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 135mg 6%

Potassium 305mg 9%

Total Carbohydrates 44.3g 15%

Dietary Fiber 5.2g 21%

Sugars 15.2g

Protein 7.5g

Vitamin A 11% • Vitamin C 1% Calcium 4% • Iron 22%

Nutrition Grade B

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet