Macrobiotic Granola???

[Ludlum'sDaughter14]

Does anyone know if there is such a thing as macrobiotic granola? For some reason I can handle eating baked oats (like in granola), but boiled oats (like oatmeal) tend to make me feel sick. So I would like to find a way to make granola that doesn't have tons of sugar in it, since even most "organic" kinds have a ridiculously high amount of sugar (at least where I shop).

I suppose the question would be, is there a way to bake oats in a granola-type fashion without using sugar or honey or syrup?

[Flygirl]

I have no answer for you Kristina but I'm really interested to know the answer to this too. I imagine there probably is a granola with all organic ingredients. Not one with the chocolate chips and M&Ms though.

Just a thought... I've been overusing the 10-day diet thread. I wanted it to be just for people to share their 10-day diet experiences so I'm going to stop posting to that one. I wonder if we need another board category under macrobiotics. We have one for sharing experiences and this one for sharing recipes. Could we also have one for product requests and recommendations...? (e.g., what's the best brand of tahini? or where can I find a macrobiotic granola?)

I'm an over-organizer, though. This probably works fine. What do you think?

[John Pickard]

The best granola is what you make yourself. That way you have absolute control of the ingredients.

And it's incredibly easy. Even I can do it.

We take 3 cups of organic rolled oats, and a half-cup (or so) each of our favorite raw nuts and seeds - pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cashew pieces, slivered almonds, walnuts and/or pecans - basically, whatever you like - combined with a quarter-cup of oil (use a mild-flavored oil, like peanut) and a quarter-cup of whatever natural sweetener you like - brown rice syrup, even honey works well. Mix well, spread it on a cookie sheet/sheet pan, and bake at 275ºF (no hotter - you want this to bake slowly), stirring every 15 minutes until golden brown and delicious - or partly burnt and really crunchy, whichever your preference might be.

This makes granola that is just sweet enough for me - not too sweet. It's wonderful mixed with a little home-made peanut butter as a snack, or with unsweetened almond milk for breakfast.

OK, I'm hungry now.

[LittleMonkeyDog]

Originally Posted by flyngirl5

I have no answer for you Kristina but I'm really interested to know the answer to this too. I imagine there probably is a granola with all organic ingredients. Not one with the chocolate chips and M&Ms though.

Just a thought... I've been overusing the 10-day diet thread. I wanted it to be just for people to share their 10-day diet experiences so I'm going to stop posting to that one. I wonder if we need another board category under macrobiotics. We have one for sharing experiences and this one for sharing recipes. Could we also have one for product requests and recommendations...? (e.g., what's the best brand of tahini? or where can I find a macrobiotic granola?)

I'm an over-organizer, though. This probably works fine. What do you think?

I love your idea. I'm an over-organizer myself Didn't see any organic Granola up to now.

[Ludlum'sDaughter14]

Originally Posted by John Pickard

The best granola is what you make yourself. That way you have absolute control of the ingredients.

And it's incredibly easy. Even I can do it.

We take 3 cups of organic rolled oats, and a half-cup (or so) each of our favorite raw nuts and seeds - pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cashew pieces, slivered almonds, walnuts and/or pecans - basically, whatever you like - combined with a quarter-cup of oil (use a mild-flavored oil, like peanut) and a quarter-cup of whatever natural sweetener you like - brown rice syrup, even honey works well. Mix well, spread it on a cookie sheet/sheet pan, and bake at 275ºF (no hotter - you want this to bake slowly), stirring every 15 minutes until golden brown and delicious - or partly burnt and really crunchy, whichever your preference might be.

This makes granola that is just sweet enough for me - not too sweet. It's wonderful mixed with a little home-made peanut butter as a snack, or with unsweetened almond milk for breakfast.

OK, I'm hungry now.

That sounds delicious. Thank you! I might try to make some this evening.

Now I'm hungry too.

[Ludlum'sDaughter14]

Originally Posted by LittleMonkeyDog

I love your idea. I'm an over-organizer myself Didn't see any organic Granola up to now.

I think either way is fine. Recipes have to do with food so I could see grouping shopping info here too, but whatever you want.

[ojai22]

Originally Posted by flyngirl5

Just a thought... I've been overusing the 10-day diet thread. I wanted it to be just for people to share their 10-day diet experiences so I'm going to stop posting to that one. I wonder if we need another board category under macrobiotics. We have one for sharing experiences and this one for sharing recipes. Could we also have one for product requests and recommendations...? (e.g., what's the best brand of tahini? or where can I find a macrobiotic granola?)

I'm an over-organizer, though. This probably works fine. What do you think?

Flyngirl, in the Share the Health section there is a thread about macrobiotic websites, cookbooks, products, etc. You might find something there. The summits are outdated as they were held last year.

I just read a recipe for MB granola, but didn't book mark it, If I find it again, I'll post it.

[Flygirl]

Originally Posted by John Pickard

It's wonderful mixed with a little home-made peanut butter as a snack, or with unsweetened almond milk for breakfast.

Home-made peanut butter? Is that really self-explanatory or do you add anything to the peanuts? Sorry I'm slow...

Evidence of my cooking reputation: I just went to make the tahini-tamari sauce, and I took out a pan and put it on the stove, and my kids stared at me warily. They looked at each other and Abby said, "Hey, mom? What are you doing?" I said, "I'm cooking something". And Bryan said, "burnt toast or burnt vegetables?" Grrrr.

[John Pickard]

Originally Posted by flyngirl5

Home-made peanut butter? Is that really self-explanatory or do you add anything to the peanuts? Sorry I'm slow...

Evidence of my cooking reputation: I just went to make the tahini-tamari sauce, and I took out a pan and put it on the stove, and my kids stared at me warily. They looked at each other and Abby said, "Hey, mom? What are you doing?" I said, "I'm cooking something". And Bryan said, "burnt toast or burnt vegetables?" Grrrr.

I don't make it myself - my Mrs. does so. But it is really easy. Roasted unsalted peanuts, a drizzle of peanut oil, a pinch of salt, and a food processor is about all you need. She makes it a cup at a time, as we need it.

Peanuts are naturally oily, but sometimes you need to add just a little bit more to get the consistency right. Start with dry peanuts and add the the salt and any oil toward the end. Be careful with the added oil, though - it's really easy to get too much. You can process it as smooth as you like, too.

[Ludlum'sDaughter14]

Just thought I'd let you know, made some of the granola a while ago and loved it, so I made an even bigger batch this weekend. Used organic peanut oil and raw local honey. Delicious! Thanks for the recipe, John.

[galactica_love]

I love homemade peanut butter. It is absolutely delicious! I love it with dried fig, yum! Perfect snack, just put a little of the peanut butter on the fig and there you go.

As far as a macrobiotic granola, the recipes shared here sound delicious!

The other day I made something like this with pumpkin seeds. (its pumpkin season again!) lol. I had a fresh pumpkin, which I baked for another recipe, but kept the seeds and roasted them in the oven. So crunchy and good.

I really loved this topic. Macrobiotics interest me not just from inspiration of Dirk, but also my own personal food/life journey.

So I was really excited to discover this part of the board! hurray!

-galactica love x

[Kellie]

Originally Posted by galactica_love

I love homemade peanut butter. It is absolutely delicious! I love it with dried fig, yum! Perfect snack, just put a little of the peanut butter on the fig and there you go.

As far as a macrobiotic granola, the recipes shared here sound delicious!

The other day I made something like this with pumpkin seeds. (its pumpkin season again!) lol. I had a fresh pumpkin, which I baked for another recipe, but kept the seeds and roasted them in the oven. So crunchy and good.

I really loved this topic. Macrobiotics interest me not just from inspiration of Dirk, but also my own personal food/life journey.

So I was really excited to discover this part of the board! hurray!

-galactica love x

Hi galactica- love! 😀
I’m quite an healthy eater and wouldn’t mind trying some of his ideas. Does he have a book out on the macrobiotic diet that he swears by?
I love pumpkins! My Nan used to serve it up to us grand kids all the time.

[Ludlum'sDaughter14]

Originally Posted by Kellie

Hi galactica- love! 😀
I’m quite an healthy eater and wouldn’t mind trying some of his ideas. Does he have a book out on the macrobiotic diet that he swears by?
I love pumpkins! My Nan used to serve it up to us grand kids all the time.

I think anything by Michio Kushi is fair game. He was sort of the original prolific macrobiotic writer in the US, and he discussed macrobiotics from the level of philosophy upward, not just a list of "eat" and "don't eat." Different books of his emphasize different areas of macrobiotic living, so the question is, are you more interested in learning about the philosophy, the diet, or physical diagnosis and applications?

When I get home I might start a thread with a list of the books I have and what they are helpful for learning about. Hope that might be of some help!

I had homemade pumpkin soup at a relative's house last week, and it is now on my list of foods to eat again! If you have any good recipes, I'd love to hear about them.

[LittleMonkeyDog]

Originally Posted by Ludlum'sDaughter14

When I get home I might start a thread with a list of the books I have and what they are helpful for learning about. Hope that might be of some help!

I had homemade pumpkin soup at a relative's house last week, and it is now on my list of foods to eat again! If you have any good recipes, I'd love to hear about them.

That's a great idea !!! I'd love to read some of Kushi's books, but I don't know which one to start with. So that would be a big help for me.

I made homemade sweet potatoe soup last week (followed the same recipe as the carrot soup) and it turned out to be very good.

[LittleMonkeyDog]

Originally Posted by Ludlum'sDaughter14

When I get home I might start a thread with a list of the books I have and what they are helpful for learning about. Hope that might be of some help!

I had homemade pumpkin soup at a relative's house last week, and it is now on my list of foods to eat again! If you have any good recipes, I'd love to hear about them.

That's a great idea !!! I'd love to read some of Kushi's books, but I don't know which one to start with. So that would be a big help for me.

I made homemade sweet potatoe soup last week (followed the same recipe as the carrot soup) and it turned out to be very good.

[Michele Ann]

Hmmm, I've attached a picture of the book I got by the Kushis but not sure if it will show.

[Michele Ann]

Originally Posted by LittleMonkeyDog

That's a great idea !!! I'd love to read some of Kushi's books, but I don't know which one to start with. So that would be a big help for me.

I made homemade sweet potatoe soup last week (followed the same recipe as the carrot soup) and it turned out to be very good.

LMD and anyone else interested in a book by Kushi and his wife, you might like this one. I do very much.