I love, love, love this time of year. Crisp fall mornings and the ritual of digging out my old sweaters and jeans. So fabulous! I have been suffering a bit from my allergies and refuse to succumb to them. Something that carries in the air as it cools just knocks me out!
I was told by a very smart Chinese herbalist years ago to not take my honey hot. 'From the spoon, swallow and then the tea.' I didn't really understand why back then. Now, I do. The heat can break down the very reason honey is so amazing. It can be quite difficult to find local honey even here where you can drop off the radar in about a half hour if you drive straight north. The purpose of using local honey, is to expose myself to the very things in the plants here that make me sneeze or my nose wiggle.
A week ago my allergies started bothering me again and I have decided to heal myself with food. Hippocrates wrote of this and knowledge of spices and chemistry is in the lore and tradition of many cultures. I prefer to use more homeopathic methods in my daily life; rather than some drug made from ingredients I cannot spell.
Nature has the answer to all things that heal and preserve. If I'm going to eat raw honey, I may as well make myself some lovely granola to accompany it. It isn't that hard to incorporate things like this into your life. You must first be willing to find what is right for you. Perhaps you think I'm silly for this? All I know is that I am feeling much better and this recipe is delicious.....
Bibiana’s HearthFires Granola
Ingredients:
6 cups of raw, organic oats 1/2 cup organic wheat germ 2 T natural applesauce 2 T local honey 1/2 cup rough chopped nuts 1/8 tsp Himalayan pink salt 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. olive oil 5 large, pitted and chopped dates drinking water ***Please note pregnant women or children under the age of two are cautioned for eating honey. You should consult your doctor if you are unsure because of the strong hormones in honey. Directions:
In a large bowl combine all ingredients, except water. Preheat oven to 300 F. degrees.
Stir ingredients together gently. If it's not making soft balls, add a small amount of drinking water, 1 teaspoon at a time until the pieces are kind of sticky.
Spread thinly on two cookie sheets with a rim. Bake approximately 30 min and stir every once in awhile to be sure the edges don't burn until the oats are browned and slightly golden.
Store in an airtight container on the counter. *This version will not be overtly sweet. *If you want to make trail mix, just add raisins or dried apples and bananas and take it to go for a healthy snack. I like to eat mine with raw honey and Greek yogurt for a power breakfast after a big workout. I think people miss the point on food in general and don't realize that there are ways to feel better every day. Why eat processed foods with mystery ingredients? Yes, it is so much easier to just buy something rather than make it. Nourishing our bodies is as important as intellectual stimulation and exercise for an all around good life.
The new wealth of the world is good health and it is important to understand that we can take care of ourselves in little ways and live the life we wish for. I grew up eating extremely healthy and had no idea what a huge gift my mother gave me in her vast knowledge and pursuit of the old ways. There is a reason people used to be healthier and the answer is to simplify , unplug, laugh more and eat with purpose.
This morning I am going to take my own advice and then I am going to get out there and get some fresh air too! Until next time-take life in small bites and love like there's no limit. If you need something to read and love autumn the way I do... please take a look at my latest work with author Veronica Cline Barton, Hearth Fires is on pre-order almost everywhere and coming September 7th, 2020 in a gorgeous paperback for your reading pleasure.
Take care out there– Bibiana Krall
Comments