When it's chill outside and the flu is closing in, my energy reserves down, the only thing between me and a week in bed is keeping on top of my diet and getting as much sleep as possible. For years on weekdays I ran without breakfast, figuring I was cutting out unnecessary calories, but as I've gotten older I've discovered that I simply can't. If I start the day empty, by the time I get to work I'm feeling nauseous and cranky and ain't nobody got time for that! Bacon and eggs don't cut it – I don't have time to do them every day and by the time 11am comes around, I'm back to feeling cranky, or getting dizzy when I stand.
For me, granola is the answer. I just adore the stuff. Crunchy, delicious, adaptable with yoghurt, milk, fruit and honey, and transportable…it's perfect for busy busy me. I try to make my own, but when I can't, I love Lizi's Granola.
Lizi's was developed by Dr Mick Shaw and his wife Lizi after guests at their B&B used to rave about hers, and after farming organically in Wales taught them more about organic farming and food science. The main 'thing' with Lizi's is that it was the first company in the world to measure the Glycemic Load (GL) of their products – GL is a direct measure of how food effects blood sugar and helps keep us feeling fuller for longer. It's endorsed by a lot of people much smarter about nutrition than me, including sports nutritionists and several Olympians! I won't try to talk about the food science more because….frankly, I can't but I will talk more about the taste – after all, you all know that's where my expertise (/greed) lies.
There's a whole range of flavours (ten in fact!) including their Original, Organic, High Protein, Gluten Free and some 'treat' varieties such as Treacle and Pecan and Belgian Chocolate. I tried the Gluten Free first, figuring that if any of them weren't going to be up to par on taste, it was going to be that. I couldn't have been more surprised. It was….delicious. It's made with desiccated coconut, black treacle, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and sunflower, pumpkin and linseed seeds and is warm, toasty and nourishing. The Treacle and Pecan was equally good. It won a Great Taste Award in 2009 and when I tried it, I wasn't shocked – it was tasty. All are suitable for vegetarians and vegans and have been GL tested to ensure a slow release.
I like mine with Greek yoghurt and drizzled with honey, but it's also good with milk or even sprinkled over ice cream! There's also a few recipes for cooking with it on the Lizi's website, including smoothies and banana bread! https://www.lizis.co.uk/blog/our-recipes/
In short, I'm a fan of this granola and I hope you are too. After all, friends, winter is coming and it's time to look after yourself. There's nothing worse than a sniffle over the New Year's Eve count down!
This post was sponsored by Lizi's Granola.
