This is one of my favourite recipes and it is very nutrient dense and therefore a great start to your day or a nutritious snack. The nuts and seeds in this recipe provide high levels of Omega 3, Vitamins and Minerals, such as Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc. Folic Acid, Niacin and other B Vitamins.

Blackstrap Molasses adds sweetness to the recipe and it contains high levels of iron, calcium, potassium, selenium, Vit B 6, and is low in calories.

Coconut helps to aid and support overall Immune system functions and has many health benefits (more info on that to follow)

Recipe

200g Oats

100g Sunflower Seeds

100g Pumpkins Seeds

200g Shredded Coconut

75g Sesame Seeds

500g chopped mixed nuts (Pecan, Walnut, Brazil Nut, Hazelnut, Cashews, etc.)

·      In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients well.

·      You can adapt the dry ingredients to what you have in your cupboard or your likings.

200ml Blackstrap Molasses

2ooml Coldpressed Vegetable Oil , ideally use warmed (liquid) coconut oil

1 tsp Vanilla Essence

·      Whisk the Molasses, Oil and Vanilla together into a thick liquid.

·      Pour over the dry ingredients and mix well. Ensure everything is covered well.

·      Cover a number of Baking tray’s with parchment paper.  

·      Spread the mixture in a thin layer onto the Baking Tray.

·      Roast in the oven for 10-15min or until golden brown. (170degree centigrade) Keep an eye on it as it can easily burn.

·      Remove from oven, let it cool and store in a large airtight container.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with Milk Kefir or Organic Natural Yoghurt. If you are dairy free Coconut or Almond Milk are delicious, plus any fruit you have to hand.

My favourite combo is Almond Milk and Berries or Pear.

Let me know your favourite combos.

During our visit to see my family in Germany during the holiday, we took a trip to the local area called ‘Schwaebische Alb’.

The area used to be cover by the sea many thousands of years ago. It therefore has many layers of slate and sand in between which beautiful fossils can be found.

Whilst I sat there watching my girls looking for fossils and seeing all the layers, I began to think about the layers within our bodies.
It seemed so obvious that our planet earth was providing me with a wonderful insight.
We too have many layers of being.

In Yoga tradition we have 5 layers, called the 5 Koshas.
Each layer is a deeper, more subtle layer of the previous one.

Through Yoga practice we can keep each layer in good condition, which will allow us to live a fully balanced and healthy life as described in the Taittiriva Upanishad.

Physical layer, Annamaya Kosha
‘ Human beings consist of material body built from the food they eat. Those who care for this body are nourished by the universe.’

Energetic layer, Pranamaya Kosha
‘Inside this is another body made of life energy. It fills the physical body and takes its shape. Those who treat this vital force as divine experience excellent health and longevity because this energy is the source of physical life.’

Mental layer, Manamaya Kosha
‘Within the vital force is yet another body, this one made of thought energy. It fills the two denser bodies and has the same shape. Those who understand and control the mental body are no longer afflicted by fear.’

Wisdom layer, Vijnanamaya Kosha
‘Deeper still lies another body comprised of intellect. It permeates the three denser bodies and assumes the same form. Those who establish their awareness here free themselves from unhealthy thoughts and actions, and develop the self-control necessary to achieve their goals.’

Bliss, Anandamaya Kosha
‘ Hidden inside this is yet a subtler body, composed of pure joy. It pervades the other bodies and shares the same shape. It is experienced as happiness, delight and bliss.’

As you practice yoga, you are releasing blockages in one or more of these layers of the body.

This can be old memories – good or bad or emotions floating to the surface like tears or laughter.

So next time you practice yoga, bear this in mind and sense your way into your layers of being.