Several months ago I made some healthy changes in my life, particularly to the way I eat. While I still let myself have the occasional “cheat meal” or dessert, I’ve done really well overall. I’m eating eggs for breakfast instead of cereal, and salads or smoothies for lunch. Andrew and I have been eating much healthier dinners as well.
The only thing I still needed to work on was healthy snacks! A lot of times I find I don’t have anything in the house, so I get really hungry by dinner time. I’m now on a mission to find some healthy snack options.
Two of my favorite ingredients for Fall are pumpkin and apples. Baking anything with one or both of those will make your house smell heavenly! This granola is no exception. When I was making it I sent a picture to Andrew with the caption “if I could send you a smell along with this picture, I would!”
This granola is so good for you! Make sure that you buy dried apples that aren’t sweetened (or make them yourself!). You could even make this granola completely sugar-free by substituting an artificial sweetener for the maple syrup.
We also found that this Pumpkin and Apple Granola goes great with some greek yogurt! Andrew and I had some for “dessert” one night and it definitely kicked my dessert craving that night. It would also make a good breakfast.
Pumpkin & Apple Granola
Ingredients
- 4 cups rolled oats
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup dried apples
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, salt and dried apples.
- In another bowl, combine the coconut oil, syrup, pumpkin and vanilla.
- Pour the liquid mixture over the dry mixture and mix well.
- Spread evenly on the cookie sheet.
- Bake for 40-55 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Check it often after 40 minutes to be sure it doesn't burn.
- Let cool before eating.
An Introduction to my YouTube Channel & The Golden Vlog
I am so excited to introduce my new YouTube channel! I have been wanting to incorporate some fun cooking videos into my posts, so I finally got around to setting everything up. Today I’m joining my friend Faith from Life w/ Mrs. G. and the Artist for The Golden Vlog!
Meet one of my sponsors!
Meet Kelly from Jack and Parker! She shares delicious recipes and stories from her life with her son, Parker, and her dog, Jack.
What is your favorite type of blog post to write?
I recently started working on cocktail-related posts and I’ve been busy researching (read: tasting!) classic cocktails and their components and it’s been really fun! There’s so much history around classic drinks from their invention to their ingredients and some of these liquors have the most interesting back stories. So in the next coming weeks I’ll be posting everything from homemade bar garnishes to drink recipes and highlighting flavors and ingredients with the goal of really building up a library to reference for your home bar. You can find that growing list here: http://jackandparker.com/
What is your favorite meal to make? My absolute favorite meal is so, so simple– roasted chicken with lemon. I like to take a whole chicken, throw it in a pan on top of some brussel sprouts or asparagus, chunks of onion and garlic and rub everything down with olive oil, lemon salt and pepper and just shove it in the oven. It’s so simple to throw together and I can walk away from it while it cooks, coming back to the oven in an hour or so to a meal that looks like it took some effort. I made this last night for dinner in fact..
Coffee or tea? Coffee AND tea. I’m religious about my morning coffee.. but I love tea too. My grandmother always made tea with cream and sugar, and that makes me think of her. Whatever I’m drinking though, it has to be burn-the-roof-of-your-mouth hot, because I am a crazy weirdo.
Faith Golden says
Jenna!!!! I loved it!! So glad you joined and you are a total natural! I can’t wait to see more videos from you! 🙂 thanks for joining us today!
Jenna Brussee says
Thanks Faith!! I was kind of nervous to do it, but it was fun! Definitely keep me in the loop for next month.
Katie says
I can’t wait to try that recipe out! Ahh, I am so glad that you did a vlog! yay! I’m posting my vlog tonight! Maybe I’m crazy but I feel like we kind of look alike?? Yeah, maybe it’s just me. haha.. I am loving the pumpkin mocha too! I just had it for the first time last weekend. And I’m so jealous that an anthro is opening close to you.. I love that store! Subscribing to your channel now! 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
Yay! I can’t wait to see your vlog and see if we look alike. Thanks for subscribing! I can’t wait to get working on more videos.
Melissa Camacho says
That recipe looks SOO good! I came here from the Golden Vlog link up 🙂 You’re so cute with your vlog I love the intro music! 🙂 So fancy!
Jenna Brussee says
Thanks for stopping by! This was my first time joining the Golden Vlog and it was a lot of fun! I’m enjoying watching everyone else’s videos.
Anna @ The Beauty Section says
Jenna!!!! This was so cute! I’m so glad I was finally able to hear what you sound like! You seemed so natural!! You go girl!!! 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
Aww thanks Anna! I’ve been watching the videos from the other girls who did this link up and it is so fun to see more of their personalities. You should do a video sometime!
Rebekah Stark says
first of all – I make granola every week and this one looks delish I’m gonna have to add it to my fall list. Also, I’m SOOO excited you’re making a youtube channel and I’m jealous you get to work from home!
Jenna Brussee says
Make it, girl! You will love it. Thanks for watching the video! I stopped by yours. It was fun to put a voice to your blog. I’m glad Faith convinced you to do it!
Sarah @ 12 Twenty Seven says
I’m so glad you joined The Golden Vlog! It’s so great to put a voice to your face! That granola sounds amazing, too! 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
Me too! I had a lot of fun watching your video.
Leah Mancl says
That recipe looks delish! There’s something about the combination of pumpkin and apple that I always love. And I really like the idea of incorporating a YouTube channel with your blog… especially with cooking. So great!
Jenna Brussee says
Pumpkin and apple are great together! Especially this time of year. Thanks for checking out the video! I am excited to start working on some fun cooking videos.
Jenna Brussee says
Thanks Nicki! I was nervous to start doing videos, too, but I think there is a lot of opportunity to grow my blog with YouTube. It’s nice to start with something simple like this. Eventually I would like to get some better software to make my videos even better.
Nicki Lewis says
Maybe I will have to try it. Really want to grow my blog.
Jenna Brussee says
Isn’t it fun? You should do a vlog sometime!
Megan Walker says
Loved your video!!! It is so fun to see how people look and sound in real life. I’ve been tossing around the idea of doing blogs, so maybe I’ll join this challenge to get started!
Jenna Brussee says
Thanks, Megan! You should definitely join in next month! I can ask Faith to add you to the email list for the questions if you like.
Megan Walker says
That would be great, thank you!
Miz Helen says
Hi Jenna,
I have Granola with my yogurt every morning, this would be so good. Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with Full Plate Thursday and have a fabulous day!
Hope to see you soon,
Miz Helen
Jenna Brussee says
You will love this recipe! I’ll see you later this week for Full Plate Thursday.
MeganReablog.wordpress.com says
This sounds amazing! Never thought of using Pumpkin in Granola, great idea Jenna! 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
It was really good! If you like pumpkin, you will love it.