Breakfast: Granola

Recipe by /contributors/george-weld On those mornings when you don't want to do anything but get up, pour coffee, and sit with your face in the sun, homemade granola is a good thing to have around. Ours is meant to be not too sweet. We serve it over very

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Wheat Germ, Sesame Seeds, Honey, Flax Seed

Health and fertility benefits of Granola

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). Wheatgerm is a natural source of Inositol, which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS due to its ability to effectively reduce insulin resistance and improve insulin sensitivity. Sesame seeds help with progesterone balance. Lignans found in in sesame seeds help to prevent excess estrogen production. One tbsp of honey has a glycemic index (GI) of 55. Flaxseed can be used to combat PCOS as it helps decrease androgen levels. It contains lignans that increase the production of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) that binds testosterone in the blood, thereby preventing it from wreaking havoc in the body. Being high in fiber, flaxseed helps slow down glucose metabolism and lower cholesterol levels. The omega-3 fatty acids in this flaxseed also reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup raw wheat germ
1/2 cup flax seed
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1 cup blanched almonds, chopped
1 scant tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp kosher salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup 2 tbsp (3 oz) canola oil
3 tbsp honey
3 tbsp molasses
1/4 cup dried fruit

Instructions

Heat oven to 300 °F.
Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. add the canola oil, honey, and molasses (if you measure the oil in your measuring cup first, the honey and molasses will pour more easily). Stir until well combined and all the dry ingredients are coated.
Spread the granola on a baking sheet with a spatula—if you like your granola with clusters, make sure it's packed together tightly.
Bake for 10 minutes before stirring. If you want to preserve clusters, just be sure you don't stir it too thoroughly.
Continue baking and stirring every 10 minutes until the granola is golden brown—about 30 –35 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and add dried fruit. Allow the granola to cool completely (it will get crunchy as it cools). Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

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