Homemade "No Oats" Granola

growing up, I always "assumed" granola was healthy.  I would see folks eating it with yogurt... berries... parfaits, etc.  and I just thought it was good for you.  but when I dug deep and started reading labels- YIKES- I noticed MOST granola is loaded with sugar!!!   with all the added sugar, the granola I was getting OFF the shelf should be considered a TREAT and not a daily consumption. 
 
so.  I did what I typically do when I learn something is bad for me... I give it up... completely.  I'm not good with having temptation in the house... seriously.  I can eat a WHOLE bag of tortilla chips if left in the pantry.  YIKES, again. 
 
then I started seeing all those yummy PINTEREST recipes... berries, granola, etc.  and it got me thinking... "why can't there be a healthier version?" ... hmm... "I bet we can whip one up!"  
 
now.  to stay true to our health goals which promote optimal brain and gut health... we try to limit sugar, gluten, grains, legumes, etc.   
 
here's a recipe we whipped up in our household... obviously our little miss LOVED the recipe so much she was LICKING the bowl (always a good sign)!!!  

GROCERIES: 

• 1 cup almonds, sliced (splurge and buy sliced almonds... I sliced ours by hand... TEDIOUS!)
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped (don't splurge on this... this is super simple and less tedious)
• 1 cup pitted dates, chopped 
• 1/2 cup coconut flakes, unsweetened 
• 1/4 cup of flour, almond or coconut (we used almond)
• 1/4 cup of coconut oil, melted 
• 2 tbsp of maple syrup 
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract 
• dash of cinnamon 

 
NOW WHAT? 

1. Preheat your oven to 350F  and grab a baking sheet to line with parchment paper (YOU WANT PARCHMENT PAPER!!!) 
2. Place all ingredients in the bowl... I place all dry first, mix with hand then add oil/syrup/vanilla extrac then mix together!!! 
3. Spread on the parchment paper in a single layer
4. Bake for 15 minutes... then let COOL!!!  You need the coconut oil to solidify before you eat it!  When it cools, this will allow the granola to get hard and form clusters :)  

 
ENJOY!  
 
Note:  our little Gillies think the dates are actually CHOCOLATE and will pick these out FIRST!!!  so I use a full cup of dates :)  you may want to use less if dates aren't your favorite, but 1/2 cup should be the least amount!