Hello! It’s Molly; it’s been a while, but I’m still here! I’m currently sitting here looking at pumpkin decor, smelling fall-scented candles, and really wishing I had a warm slice of pumpkin bread. It’s starting to *kind of* cool down, fall decorations are coming out, and the holiday season is in sight. All of this can only mean one thing: aside from eating all the goodies, of course, it’s time to bake the goodies! However, if you’re like me, you still get a little sweaty turning the oven on; I’m also still slightly sleep deprived from having my second baby only five months ago, so any extra energy I have is usually devoted to tidying up. I would love to be able to bake more, but right now most dessert recipes are a little too time intensive for me. So what’s a sweaty, tired mama to do when Fall comes a-knocking asking for goodies? Make this recipe! It is super simple, delicious, sweet, crunchy, and salty; these two ingredient Chocolate Nut Clusters satisfied my third trimester cravings, and are the perfect go-to in this busy season if you’re craving a treat but short on time. Hope you enjoy!

Chocolate Nut Clusters

Servings: 12
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Ingredients

6 ounces of dark chocolate, chopped
1/3 cup of nuts of your choice, chopped (I used pecans and almonds)
Flaky sea salt (optional)

Directions

Toast nuts for about 2 minutes on a dry skillet on medium heat, just until aromatic. Set aside
Melt chocolate in a microwave safe bowl, stirring well after 30 second increments.
Stir nuts into melted chocolate
Drop spoonfuls of chocolate covered nuts on a parchment lined (or my favorite silicone mats)
Sprinkle with sea salt, if desired
Refrigerate until firm
Store covered in the fridge for a week, but they’ll be gone long before that hehe

For more fall goodness, check out my Pumpkin Pecan Muffins, Apple Pie Parfaits, or my No Bake Pumpkin Pie. I hope everyone has been healthy and well during this post-apocalyptic movie of a year we’ve had. You will find plenty of comfort food on this site, and feel free to reach out to chat if needed. Stay healthy, hug your family, eat fall goodies…and enjoy your Pinch of Crazy!

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A Healthy Snowball

If you’ve read my other breakfast posts, you know that mornings are early and slightly chaotic around here. If you haven’t read my other breakfast posts, you should 😉 I’ll even make it easy for you and leave you links here and here for some easy and healthy breakfast prep! But, seriously, it is tough to get in a healthy breakfast when you are trying to rush out the door in the morning. However, it is so important for your blood sugar and your metabolism…there’s a reason why they (whoever “they” is) say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

A healthy breakfast is good for your body, but I’ve found, also important for my mind. If I eat a donut for breakfast (and let’s be real, who eats just ONE donut?!), it is so much easier for me to make unhealthy choices the rest of the day. I will have low energy from my donuts so I won’t want to work out, but I will still be hungry because my nutritional needs weren’t met, so I may binge eat for lunch, and so on. But if I start my day out with a satiating, nutritional breakfast, that sets me on a healthy track for the rest of the day. After my healthy breakfast (and of course coffee), I will have the energy for a morning jog, then eat a healthy snack and drink some water when I get home, and it just snowballs in a healthy way.

So here I have refined sugar free Fruit and Nut Granola which you can prep ahead of time and grab and go! I hope you can make a batch to enjoy throughout your week and start your days with a healthy snowball!

Fruit and Nut Granola

Delicious with milk, plain Greek yogurt, or by itself! Makes about three cups.

Ingredients:

One cup of old fashioned oats (GF if needed)
1/2 cup of almonds, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup of walnuts, coarsely chopped
One tbsp of chia seeds
One cup of dried fruit, chopped (I did half a cup of apricots, half a cup of dates)
1/2 to one tsp of cinnamon
Pinch of salt
One generous tbsp of raw honey, plus more for drizzling
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 F
Prepare large baking sheet with baking spray
Combine dry ingredients except sugar on baking sheet
In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, sugar, and honey
Pour over mixture on the baking sheet
Stir until everything is evenly coated
Spread out in a single layer on baking sheet
Bake for five minutes, stir, then bake for another 3-5 minutes until desired toastiness
While still warm, drizzle with additional honey and let cool and harden

I mean no ill will against donuts, but if I start my day with donuts I know my sugar monster will stalk me all day. Who wants a monster stalking them all day?! I hope making this granola gets your monster off your trail and sets your healthy intention for the day. Eat a healthy breakfast…and enjoy your pinch of crazy!