Last week, while I was updating the design of my website I took a deep dive through all of the content I've ever shared on this platform. After hours of editing, sifting through photos, ingesting multiple cups of tea, and lots of tedious layout tweaking, I found myself slightly cross-eyed from staring at my computer for too long, and—more importantly—face to face with all of the original posts on this blog circa 2013.

Looking back is hard to do, I also think it is important to do. Many of my early posts had spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and were accompanied by (I'll say it... ) straight up shitty photos. This unfortunate realization left me twinging in embarrassment. When I'd see a former post that didn't meet my current posting standards, I would think to myself, "how could I have put this out there?!" It was a humbling to say the least. 

Despite the challenges associated with looking back on early work, there were some significant take aways, too. The first being that there was some quality stuff hidden behind my poor spelling and uninspired photos. For example, this recipe for Winter Granola. Today, I am very glad to have the opportunity to refresh and re-share this granola recipe with you along with a new set of appropriately delicious images.

The second lesson is in cultivating an appreciation for having taken the risk of putting (less than ideal) work out there in the first place. My spelling, grammar, and photography are still very far from perfect, but if I hadn't shared all that lackluster stuff when I first started this journal I wouldn't be where I am today. Thankfully there are sure signs of growth and improvement and that's all I can really ask or hope for. All this to say, be where you are, trust the process, and don't be afraid to put your work out there—it's the only way to get better. Oh, and don't be afraid to look back every once in a while to acknowledge your growth. 

Okay, okay, that was a very long winded intro to almost get to the recipe. But there are a few more things I'd like to share! I actually created this granola on a whim. I mixed all the ingredients together very early one winter morning, popped them in the oven, and it turned out perfectly. Since this kind of success is something that rarely happens when developing a recipe—akin to a golfer's hole-in-one—I was compelled to bake another batch that same night. Again, it was perfectly delicious. I've since made this granola many times and even packed it in mason jars for holiday gifts. I think of it as a luxurious granola—rich with pecans, abundant with seeds and spices, and held together with just the right amount of maple sweetness. In these photos I am serving it with coconut yogurt and some sliced persimmons—which are in season and so delicious!

Winter Granola ( V + GF ) 

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats ( GF )
• 1/3 cup raw Pecans, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup Raisins
• 3 Tbsps Pumpkin Seeds
• 3 Tbsps Almond Meal
• 3 Tbsps Maple Syrup (adjust to your sweetness preference) 
• 2 Tbsps Hemp Seeds
• 1 Tbsp Chia Seeds
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla
• 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Salt

Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Place all dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and stir thoroughly.
3. Add maple syrup and vanilla to your dry mixture and blend with your hands until small clumps start to form. 
4. Spread mixture evenly onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, paying close attention to the look and smell of your granola while it cooks as it can burn very easily. 
6. Let cool & Enjoy!

**granola is great because all of the ingredients are negotiable. This combo is tried and true, but feel free to get creative and use whatever you have in your pantry.