Sweet and Spicy Nut Mix

A little sweet, a touch of heat ( optional) and a hint of fresh rosemary. A perfect snack or party favorite! Make sure you buy raw, unsalted fresh nuts! This makes approx 5 1/2 cups to enjoy ( but not at one time!)

Ingredients:

2 cups raw walnut halves or pecans

2 cups of whole raw almonds

1 1/2 cup pepitas

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary

2 tablespoons unsalted butter( if salted adjust salt measurement) Vegan option: use olive oil

1 teaspoon of flake salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. For less spice use cinnamon or pumpkin spice

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat so the maple syrup doesn’t get stuck to the pan (this is important).

Pour the almonds, pecans and pepitas in a bowl and set it aside.

In another bowl, combine the optional rosemary (or any other added seasonings), maple syrup, melted butter, salt, vanilla, and cayenne (if you’re using). Gently combine nuts and toss until coated

Put the nut mixture on the prepared baking sheet. Spread the mixture in a single layer on the pan.

Place in the oven, stirring after the first 10 minutes and then every 5 minutes , until the nuts are a deep golden color, 23 to 25 minutes. (The maple syrup coating will be a little sticky right out of the oven, but will harden as the nuts cool.)

Remove the pan from the oven and stir the nuts one more time, spreading them into an even layer across the pan. Let them cool down for about 10 minutes.

Let the nut mixture cool completely on the pan. Store in a glass jar at room temperature.

Overnight Oats

For a quick AM breakfast or “on the go” breakfast, add ingredients the night before in a 8 oz glass jar w/ lid or container and refrigerate. In the AM you will have breakfast or a snack ready to go.

Here is my personal favorite.

Ingredients

• 1/ 2 cup raw oats (quick, regular, or mixed)

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

• 1 tablespoon chia seeds

• 1/8 tsp hemps hearts ( optional)

• 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract

• 1 tsp maple syrup

Add in’s

1/2 diced apple ( 1 tablespoon applesauce), 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tablespoon chopped pecans

1 tablespoon nut butter, 1 tablespoon of my Chia Seed Jam (pb&j) and fresh berries to top

1 tablespoon protein powder, 1 teaspoon of peanut butter, 1/2 sliced banana, goji berries, top w/ cacao nibs.

The Best Berry Crispy Crumble (GF)

This gluten free berry crisp is one of those recipes that feels like comfort but still stays light and wholesome. I even love it cold the next day with a spoonful of plain yogurt!

Ingredients for topping:

1 1/2 cups of oat flour

1/2 cup rolled or quick oats

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1/3 cup organic can sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2-1 teaspoon of lemon zest

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter ( or plant based) melted and cooled

Ingredients for filling:

2 tablespoons of cornstarch

4 tablespoons of brown sugar or cane sugar.

1 tablespoon of lemon zest

8 cups of fresh berries or fruits ( blueberries, raspberries, cubed peaches, plums, pitted cherries, apricots, or a combo)

Vanilla ice creme or whipped creme for topping if desired.

Instructions:

Heat you oven to 350 degrees

Make your topping: Whisk together in a bowl, oat flour,oats,salt, spices, sugar. Stir in cooled butter and with your hands mix until you have coarse crumbles about 1/2 inch or some smaller.

Take a rimmed baking sheet ( ungreased) and spread topping evenly. Bake for about 15 minutes. Topping will not change too much in color but will be solid to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack to cool ( you may make your topping a day ahead and store in an airtight container)

Time for the filling: In a large bowl, whisk togther sugar and cornstarch. Add fruit and toss carefully to coat. Pour your filling into a 2 quart dish or a 10’ cake pan.

Spoon crumble over your filling and place on a baking sheet. Bake until it starts to bubble around the edges, about 50-60 minutes.

Let cool. Serve warm or room temp with ice creme or fresh whipped creme!

Great the next day re-heated on oatmeal or from the fridge on plain yogurt.