Today was a quintessential Seattle day. The kind of day that people must assume is our everyday reality.

“Oh you live in Seattle? Doesn’t it rain all the time?”

No, it doesn’t. We just tell you that so you don’t move here.

Ha HA. Jokes on you. Suckers.

Needless to say, it was a Friday where I felt like doing nothing. I am feeling yet another tickle in my throat (honestly children, I love and adore working around you 24/7, but if you get me sick ONE MORE TIME… I will have the immune system of a god by the end of this year). In order to fight off this impending sickness I cancelled all plans and had a day to myself.

It was lovely. I spent the morning walking my hound dog, took a sauna to fight the illness, cleaned my room while catching up on This American Life and made granola.

The thing about this granola is it tastes like candy. If candy took the form of healthy breakfast cereal, that is. It is the kind of granola where you find yourself sneaking to the kitchen at midnight, standing at the counter pondering your decision to eat just ONE more bowl.

Yeah, it is addicting and delicious. The mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg and coconut oil make it spicy and sweet and like an explosion of goodness in your mouth.

This recipe is from the Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook (aka my bible). I try to make a batch or two of this every week so as I never have to go a day without. It really is that good.

Having my pup curl up behind my knees while munching on a bowl of ‘nola and watching Bridesmaids? That is the perfect remedy for a throat tickle.

Cinnamon Granola (adapted from Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook)

4 cups rolled oats

1 cup coarsely chopped almonds (or hazelnuts, whatever tickles your fancy)

1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

¼ cup maple syrup

¼ cup melted coconut oil

1 tbsp cinnamon

¼ tsp nutmeg

¼ tsp cloves

¼ tsp sea salt

Dried cranberries

Dried apricots

Coconut

Chocolate (if you are feeling extra crazy)

Directions:

-Preheat oven to 300 degrees

-Combine rolled oats, spices, syrup and oil together in a bowl. Mix together with hands if you don’t mind getting messy, or use two spoons if you are a wuss. (sorry, I’m just sayin.)

-Add in nuts and coconut. (You can also add in the dried fruit, but I usually add it after baking so it doesn’t get weird and dry).

– Bake for 35-40 minutes.

-Cool and toss in dried fruit.

-Enjoy with almond milk and a sliced banana. PERFECTION.

This is the kind of recipe that loves to be tweaked. Wanna add dried mangos? Shoot yeah you do, go right ahead. Feeling like it should be cashews and dark chocolate? GO BIG OR GO HOME. I do love a recipe that allows creative wiggle room.

Wiggle away my dears, wiggle away.