Breakfast: Maple-Almond Granola with Dried Berries

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Cranberries

Health and fertility benefits of Maple-Almond Granola with Dried Berries

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060). Researchers believe that cranberries contain substances that prevent infection-causing bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls. However, store-bought cranberry juice is typically all sugar - so make sure to stick with straight cranberries.

Ingredients

5 cups old-fashioned oats
2 cups slivered almonds
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup pure maple syrup (preferably Grade B)
1/2 cup hot water
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons almond extract
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 1/4 cups dried blueberries or cranberries (about 6 ounces)

Instructions

Arrange 1 rack in top third and 1 rack in bottom third of oven; preheat to 300 °F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment. Toss oats, almonds, and cinnamon in large bowl. Whisk oil, maple syrup, 1/2 cup hot water, both extracts, and sea salt in medium bowl. Drizzle over dry ingredients; toss to coat. Divide mixture between sheets, spreading in even layer.
Bake granola 20 minutes. Stir granola; reverse sheets and bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes longer. Transfer granola on sheets to racks. Sprinkle dried fruit over and cool completely, stirring occasionally. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 week ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

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