Sunday, December 7, 2014

Have a #FeelGoodHoliday with @NaturesPath (review, recipe and #giveaway)

I've been a fan of Nature's Path cereal for ages - between their chocolate-laced Love Crunch granola and puffed grain options, at least one variety is on our shelf constantly. Obviously, I pleased someone in karma-land, because the kind folks who make those organic, delicious options sent me an early Christmas gift - a #FeelGoodHoliday box packed with goodies!

So much goodness in store for my #feelgoodholiday

Of course, I dug in right away, and after sampling some of the Love Crunch® Gingerbread and Chia Plus™ Coconut Chia granolas straight-up I knew I had to try them in a baked treat. The cereal is chunky, crunchy and a perfect topping for things like the vegan banana muffins I adapted from Kitchen Treaty. The gingerbread one had the perfect hit of spice and sweetness to it, which would also pair perfectly with pumpkin or apple desserts (think crisps, crumble topped pies and coffee cake fillings). The coconut variety's pieces were a little too "large" to fit neatly on the muffins, but nevertheless I wouldn't hesitate to fold it into carrot cake, make pinwheel pastries or sprinkle it on a larger dessert.

Vegan Banana Muffins with Crunchy Topping
Large Pieces in the Chia Plus™ Coconut Chia Granola

The "chunky" factor in those two granolas is mirrored by most of the other Nature's Path granolas, and even some of their cold cereals (Sunrise® Crunchy Maple being one in particular), which keeps the clusters nice and crunchy even when covered in milk or mixed into yoghurt. On the "cold cereal" front, the company offers organic (and occasionally gluten-free) versions of many mainstream cereal choices such as Whole O’s™ and Flax Plus® Flakes. The Whole O's are delicious as either breakfast or a snack, and make an awesome trail mix addition too. For anyone who's a fan of bran flakes, the lightly sweetened Flax Plus flakes offer the same texture with ALA Omega-3 fatty acids to boot. I was confused as to whether the Qi'a™ Superfood (Chia, Buckwheat & Hemp) Cereal was intended to be a hot or cold preparation, but after looking at the website it appears that the mixture of seeds is really more of an addition to the other cereals as well as other foods like salad.

Vegan Banana Muffins with Crunchy Topping
The Love Crunch® Gingerbread Granola is definitely Chunky!

While the cereals are perfect fodder for morning munching, they make perfect additions to a host of holiday (or anyday) recipes too! After the jump, you'll find one of the many recipes you can make with the goodies in the #FeelGoodHoliday box!


Coconut Cranberry Macaroons
Makes 16 cookies
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup canned coconut milk
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp coconut flour
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla
Pinch salt
3/4 cup Nature’s Path Whole O's™ Cereal
1/4 cup dried cherries, apricots or cranberries
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Combine shredded coconut, coconut milk, honey, coconut flour, coconut oil, vanilla and salt in a small saucepan set over medium heat.
  4. Bring to boil and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 5 minutes or until mixture thickens and a spatula pulled through leaves a trail.
  5. Cool slightly.
  6. Fold in cereal and dried cherries.
  7. Spoon tablespoons of mixture onto prepared pan, spacing 2-inches apart.
  8. Bake in middle of the oven; cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly golden.
  9. Cool completely.
  10. Store in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 62
Fat 3.5g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 28mg
Carbohydrates 7.5g
Fibre 1g
Sugar 5.5g
Protein 0.5g

Here are some more delicious #FeelGoodHoliday ideas!

Crunchy Apple Pie Parfaits: Layered with spiced Greek yogurt and Pumpkin Flax Granola, not-too-sweet apple pie parfaits are a gorgeous dessert on weeknights or for special occasions!

  
Chocolate Gingerbread Crunch Cookies-Mason Jar Cookie Mix: Give someone the gift of a beautiful, ready to mix cookie recipe, all in a mason jar. Try with a variety of Love Crunch flavours to mix up the cookie mix and create handy gifts for your friends and family.

Gingerbread Crunch Brittle (V): The most heart-felt gifts are homemade. In just 20 minutes, this brittle recipe can be made and put aside for either snacking or giving to loved-ones. Add a little ribbon to a mason jar and give out to your party guests.

What's your #FeelGoodHoliday tradition or secret? Leave a comment below and have a chance to WIN your very own #FeelGoodHoliday Box box worth $50!
@NaturesPath #FeelGoodHoliday Prize Pack

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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