• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Mental Health
  • About

Feelin' Whisky logo

July 10, 2018 By Emily

Not-Too-Sweet Granola

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
Pin
Share
Tweet

Big, crunchy clusters of Not-Too-Sweet Granola with plenty of flavor from cinnamon, turmeric, maple syrup, and nut butter!

Not-Too-Sweet Granola | Feelin' Whisky

Granola and I go way back. Our love affair began around 2014, when I got pretty chummy with granola bars. I’d chuck Nature Valley Fruit & Nut bars into every bag I owned, “just in case.” I probably ate one a day. Sometimes even two.

But when you peel back the label cleverly hiding the nutrition facts on a standard-issue granola bar, you’re greeted by added sugar after added sugar. Corn syrup. Added fructose. Barley malt extract. All things that the food industry uses to make you want their products more. The waistline inflation is just an unfortunate side effect of their crafty marketing.

With the help of my hurried-Chinese-takeout-for-dinner habit, my hurried-granola-bars-for-snacks habit caused my weight to skyrocket—and my body image to plummet—within a matter of months. Only after the damage was done did I realize that what I was putting in my mouth was actually hurting my body and my mind.

Not-Too-Sweet Granola | Feelin' Whisky

It took me a long time to take down the sweet tooth I’d built up. Things that had previously tasted sweet enough, like fruit and a drizzle of honey, suddenly seemed lacking. My taste buds had been reengineered to crave that punch of artificial, syrupy sweetness. They were NOT HAPPY when I decided to cut it out.

And at the same time, I’d been drinking about 40 ounces of soda a day. Sugar was just a part of my daily routine. I consumed mass amounts of it without even thinking twice.

Once I started reading more about real food and cooking, I took a good hard look at my own habits, as well as the habits of others around me.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that, while certainly detrimental, my sweet tooth was actually rather tame in comparison to a lot of my friends’. Eating sugar, drinking sugar, thinking and talking about sugar, celebrating with sugar, conceding to our failures, emotions, and regrets by diving into a big pile of sugar… These were all things that we just did. Because, at its core, sugar is biologically rewarding.

Let’s go back in time for a sec. Once upon a time, we were all walking around with our knuckles on the ground (anthropologists pls confirm), and it occurred to us that sweeter fruits supplied us with more energy. We seek out sweet things because our brains are hard-wired to see sugar as a sign of nutrient density. Meanwhile, the food system was evolving to make food as appealing and cheap as industrially possible.

Not-Too-Sweet Granola | Feelin' Whisky

Before I go on, I’d like to set the record straight on one thing: I do not think sugar is inherently evil. Everyone should be allowed to enjoy their favorite desserts without feeling guilty for days afterward.

I do, however, think that we should all take a moment to turn inward and confront the habits that aren’t nourishing our bodies and our minds. I also think we need to examine how we interact with sugar to make sure we aren’t using it as a crutch.

After cutting daily processed sugar out of my diet, I realized that my unhealthy habits were actually a sign of deeper problems with my mental health. Filling my plate with wholesome foods helped me improve my mindset, which made it easier to choose healthful options. And it really made it easier to keep those glorified candy bars masquerading as health food out of my grocery cart.

Not-Too-Sweet Granola | Feelin' Whisky

Perhaps my favorite part of eating mindfully, though, is the discovery process.

Chances are, if there’s a food you love that isn’t the healthiest, there’s a healthier choice waiting just around the corner. You just have to find it first. It does take a little bit of digging, since the market is really saturated with sugary-salty-fatty products. My solution?

Make the dang thing yourself. It saves you money and it usually tastes better, as is the case with this granola.

I’ve probably posted about this granola on my Instagram about six times already. I can’t help it, though—it REALLY IS the best granola I’ve ever made. I make a batch of it once a week, and we demolish it all the way to the crunchy, oaty shake left at the bottom of the jar.

Half a cup of maple syrup seems like a lot, but it really isn’t once you mix it with all those oats and nuts and seeds. It just gives this granola a little kiss of sweetness. It hangs out so nicely with some yogurt, fresh fruit, and a little honey drizz.

The moral of the story here? Sugar isn’t the enemy. Sugar is fine, it’s sweet, it’s delicious, and sometimes it’s just what your taste buds want. But be sure that you’re eating it mindfully. Think twice before you tear open that wrapper. Eating the things that are good for your body just so happen to be good for your mind and soul as well.

More Not-Too-Sweet Breakfast Ideas:
Sweet Potato Crust Quiche
Asian Breakfast Salad with Sesame Vinaigrette
Southwest Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash

Not-Too-Sweet Granola | Feelin' Whisky

IF YOU MAKE THIS NOT-TOO-SWEET GRANOLA, DON’T FORGET TO SNAP A PHOTO AND TAG ME IN IT ON INSTAGRAM @FEELINWHISKY! I LOVE SEEING WHAT YOU DO WITH MY RECIPES!

Print

Not-Too-Sweet Granola

Not-Too-Sweet Granola | Feelin' Whisky

Big, crunchy clusters of Not-Too-Sweet Granola with plenty of flavor from cinnamon, turmeric, maple syrup, and nut butter!

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Breakfast

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 1/2 cups raw (unsalted nuts and/or seeds)
  • 1 Tbsp chia seeds
  • 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp natural nut butter
  • 2 egg whites
  • Optional: raisins or other dried fruit (like cherries or chopped apricots)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325º F and line a large rimmed baking tray with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, stir together oats, nuts and seeds, chia seeds, cinnamon, turmeric, and salt. Add in maple syrup, olive oil, nut butter, and egg whites. Stir together to coat completely.
  3. Turn granola out onto baking tray, using a rubber spatula to spread into an even layer. Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, stirring halfway, or until granola is golden brown and toasty. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before breaking into clumps and stirring in dried fruit.
  4. Granola will stay fresh in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks, but don’t worry, it won’t last that long.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @feelinwhisky on Instagram and hashtag it #feelinwhisky

Pin
Share
Tweet

Filed Under: All Tagged With: cinnamon, disordered eating, granola, health, healthier, healthy eating, maple syrup, mental health, mindful eating, mindfulness, naturally sweetened, oats, processed food, sugar, wellness

Recent Posts

A stack of blueberry pecan hand pies with filling oozing out

Blueberry Pecan Hand Pies

Cucumber Orzo Pasta Salad | Feelin' Whisky

Cucumber Orzo Pasta Salad

Herby Avocado Egg Salad Bagel Sandwiches

Spiced Sweet Potato Fries with Chipotle-Honey Mayo | Feelin' Whisky

Spiced Sweet Potato Fries with Honey-Chipotle Mayo

Previous Post: « Grapefruit Poppy Seed Scones
Next Post: Asian Breakfast Salad with Sesame Vinaigrette »

Primary Sidebar

Feelin' Whisky profile image

You’ve reached the corner of the internet where I share recipes made with whole foods and a lotta love. I don’t believe in fad diets or trends — just cooking real actual food and enjoying it with real actual people.

About Feelin’ Whisky →

Let’s Be Friends!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Follow Me on Instagram!

HELLO come hang out with me while I drink a glass HELLO come hang out with me while I drink a glass of wine, talk about books and embarrass myself by talking about the little preteen romances I used to write when I was in middle school 🙃😬😅 I read so many good books in September and October and I can't wait to share em with y'all! Get the full video at the link in my bio 👏🏼📚
.
.
.
.
.
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #fictionaddiction #instabooks #booksofig #booksbooksbooks #bookreview #bookrecs #readersofinstagram #readingtime #igbooks #bookaholic #bibliophile #bookrecommendations #readingwrapup #booktuber #newbooktuber #octoberwrapup #whattoreadnext #whattoread #bookstoread #bookreviewer #bookreviewers #newyoutubers #romancereadersofinstagram #romancebookstagram #romancereaders #antiracisteducation
I'M BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER Y'ALL (jk i am back I'M BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER Y'ALL (jk i am back but i'm mostly just the same). I've been feeling Big Sad lately so I did a lil bit of fall baking and it definitely helped 🧡🍂 and these Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Muffins are the result!! Impossibly pillowy inside and coated with sparkly, crisp cinnamon sugar, these are without a doubt one of the best recipes I've ever created. Get the recipe at the link in my biooooo 👏🏼
.
.
.
.
.
#fallbakingrecipes #easyfallbaking #feedfeed #huffposttaste #foodblogfeed #food52 #f52grams #foodgawker #pumpkinspicemuffins #tastespotting #foodbloggers #kitchn #inthekitchen #madefromscratch #makesmewhole #theeverygirlcooks #pumpkinrecipes #pumpkinrecipe #cherrybombe #bombesquad #bakefromscratch #bakestagram #onebowl #bakersofig #bakersgonnabake #wsbakeclub #whatibakedtoday #lifeissweet #easybaking #fallbaking
HELLO AGAIN! So in case you missed it, I mostly li HELLO AGAIN! So in case you missed it, I mostly live on youtube now 🎥 and today I've got a lil cooking video for ya! Come hang out, eat some soup, drink some wine - it'll be a grand ol' fall time 🍂🍷 get the full video (AND SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL PLS THANK U) at the link in my bio!
.
.
.
.
#whatieatinaday #fulldayofeating #fdoe #foodbloggers #foodblogfeed #cookingvideostutorials #whatieattoday #whatiatetoday #newyoutuber #cookingvideos #cookwithme #fallfoods #fallrecipes #autumnrecipes #soupstagram #fallcooking #autumncooking
Hello hello! Long time no see! I've been reading, Hello hello! Long time no see! I've been reading, watching and creating a LOT for the past few months and this is the first result 👆🏼 I'm shifting away from making content exclusively about food, and instead pivoting to a more all-encompassing approach. And I'm making youtube videos! 🎉🎥 Follow my new account, @emilyreadsandeats, and subscribe to my YouTube channel at the link in my bio if you'd like to follow along. Ok I love u all hope to see u there!! ❤️✨
Wishing I could go on a dreamy tropical vacation, Wishing I could go on a dreamy tropical vacation, but I'm still in my apartment (day 75) so this Tropical Mango Pineapple Smoothie will have to do for now 🌴 brimming with mango, pineapple, banana, orange and coconut 🥭🍍🍌🍊🥥, it'll really make you feel like you're chillin on the beach, even if the closest you've gotten to travel is logging on to Animal Crossing 🙃 Link is in my bio, friends! [Tropical Mango Pineapple Smoothie on feelinwhisky.com or linked in profile]
.
.
.
.
.
#foodphotography101 #eeeeeats #feedfeed #huffposttaste #foodblogfeed #food52 #f52grams #foodgawker #eatrealfood #tastespotting #foodbloggers #tropicalsmoothie #smoothierecipes #healthyish #kitchn #TOHfoodie #inthekitchen #madefromscratch #makesmewhole #theeverygirlcooks #shareyourtable #eatprettythings #forthemaking #droolclub #cherrybombe #bombesquad #foodtographyschool #smoothierecipe #mangopineapple #smoothieporn
Ya know when you open up a can of tomato paste jus Ya know when you open up a can of tomato paste just to scoop out one tablespoon? And then you've got a whole can of tomato paste sitting there and you're just like... wtf do I do with this 🙃🤷🏼‍♀️🍅 Well, let me introduce you to these Indian Butter Chickpeas. They're crazy-fast, super delicious, and have the added feature of using an ENTIRE can of tomato paste. I can assure you there is nothing more satisfying than dumping that whole can into one pot 🥴 And then, 20 minutes later, you'll be greeted with a big ol' bowl of creamy, comforting, curried deliciousness. Best dinner ever. 👏🏼 [Indian Butter Chickpeas on feelinwhisky.com or linked in profile]
.
.
.
.
.
#foodphotography101 #eeeeeats #feedfeed #huffposttaste #foodblogfeed #food52 #f52grams #foodgawker #eatrealfood #tastespotting #foodbloggers #veganrecipeshare #healthyish #kitchn #TOHfoodie #inthekitchen #madefromscratch #makesmewhole #theeverygirlcooks #shareyourtable #eatprettythings #forthemaking #droolclub #cherrybombe #bombesquad #cooktheworld #foodtographyschool #butterchickencurry #butterchickenrecipe #veganfoodshares
Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, these adora Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, these adorable Blueberry Pecan Hand Pies are fresh on the blog today! 💙🤗 With toasted pecans blended into the crust and heaps of blueberry filling in the center, they're one of my all-time favorite desserts. I'm definitely a pie person, not a cake person. Just me? Fellow pie people, you know what to do 👉🏼 [Blueberry Pecan Hand Pies on feelinwhisky.com or linked in profile]
.
.
.
.
.
#bakefromscratch #bakestagram #onebowl #bakersofig #bakersgonnabake #wsbakeclub #whatibakedtoday #lifeissweet #easybaking #foodphotography101 #eeeeeats #feedfeed #huffposttaste #foodblogfeed #foodgawker #kitchn #inthekitchen #madefromscratch #eatprettythings #forthemaking #droolclub #cherrybombe #bombesquad #foodtographyschool #memorialdayrecipes #summerrecipe #pierecipe #handpies #blueberrypie #summerbaking
Really missing the farmers market right about now. Really missing the farmers market right about now. My weekly trips to the crowded, colorful marketplace are one of my favorite parts of summer. But at least I can still appreciate the beauty in the small things, like a bunch of asparagus fresh from the ground. Hopefully soon I'll be able to get back to my favorite place ☀️🧺🌾
.
.
.
.
.
#foodphotography101 #eeeeeats #feedfeed #huffposttaste #foodblogfeed #food52 #f52grams #foodgawker #eatrealfood #tastespotting #foodbloggers #farmersmarketfresh #bareaders #foodtographyschool #kitchn #compositionessentials #inthekitchen #asparagusseason #makesmewhole #theeverygirlcooks #shareyourtable #eatprettythings #forthemaking #localfoodmovement #cherrybombe #bombesquad #eatlocalthinkglobal #localgrowers
My favorite part about summer? Cookouts. Most defi My favorite part about summer? Cookouts. Most definitely. Truly, is there anything better than standing barefoot in the grass, beer in hand, with good good smells wafting off the grill and a table filled with side dishes? 🥰🍻☀️ Pretty sure nothing can top that. This summer will undoubtedly look a little different. But I'll still be cooking like it's peak grilling season, and you best believe this Cucumber Orzo Pasta Salad will grace my table QUITE often 👏🏼 This super-simple side packs a whole lot of flavor with a shockingly short ingredients list. [Cucumber Orzo Pasta Salad on feelinwhisky.com or linked in profile]
.
.
.
.
.
.
#foodphotography101 #eeeeeats #feedfeed #huffposttaste #foodblogfeed #food52 #f52grams #foodgawker #eatrealfood #tastespotting #foodbloggers #heresmyfood #foodtographyschool #healthyish #kitchn #TOHfoodie #inthekitchen #madefromscratch #makesmewhole #theeverygirlcooks #shareyourtable #eatprettythings #forthemaking #droolclub #cherrybombe #bombesquad #summercooking #orzosalad #pastasalad #lemonherb
Follow on Instagram

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2021 · feelinwhisky.com · WordPress · Log in