Often times I think we tend to over complicate things. I’m referring to life in general. We carry with us expectations of how we think things should be or not be based often on what we see around us and what we experienced in the past. As we create these cookie cutter ideals we often lose sight of what it means to flow. Physically in a yoga class you flow from pose to pose creating fluid movement which you connect with your breath. There becomes no expectation of what is next other than creating that smooth transition letting your mind and body do its thing. In the real world, the fluidity is lost among our experiences. We don’t flow from day to day or week to week or even minute to minute. Rather we anticipate what will happen next. If it doesn’t turn out as expected, chaos erupts in our minds. We begin to question our abilities, our worth and even our own paths. Maybe we’ve just chosen wrong? No, the expectation is what is wrong. As busy people going about our day to day we function in life using our heads more than our hearts. The simplicity of living day to day in the present moment is lost with the logic and expectation that we carry with us. What kind of life is that really? In truth, it’s not really living at all. We become so set in that cookie cutter way that we shield our hearts from truly experiencing what can be if life were to just flow from moment to moment without any expectation of heartache, disappointment, regret, sorrow, among various other complications. The heart physically is the most vital organ in the human body. It is the center of all that is who we are. Why are we not allowing it its full potential? If it is capable of giving us life it is also strong enough to see us through moment to moment, breath to breath and from sadness to happiness and everything in between. The heart doesn’t need all of those extra things like fear, anger, sorrow or negativity to beat. It will continue to beat regardless. Though what will make it beat stronger is when we allow it to just be present in the moment, not the past, not the future, just right now. With this we can open our world to all of the possibilities life has to offer without making it complicated and having any expectation of what’s to come. This way we can truly just live.

This pumpkin spice granola is as simple and uncomplicated as granola gets and it’s so good! It makes a perfect snack on the go without the excess sugar and fat that many granolas have. Feel free to add in dried fruit, nuts or seeds if you want a little something more but I promise you with the delicious pumpkin flavor bursting from this snack simple is best!

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Simple Pumpkin Spice Granola

Author: The Happy Hungry Yogi

Gluten-free/Vegan/Nut-free

Makes: about 3 cups

Total bake time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups gluten-free old fashioned oats
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 c pumpkin purée
• 1/4 c pure maple syrup
• 4 tbsp coconut oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a medium sized bowl combine the oats, spices, salt and stir.
3. In a smaller microwave-safe bowl, melt the coconut oil in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Then add in the pumpkin and maple syrup and mix well.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until all of the oats are well coated.
5. Using a spatula, spread the mixture evenly into a thin layer onto the baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
6. When ready, remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool completely before breaking granola apart.
7. Store in a tightly sealed jar or container at room temperature until ready to enjoy.

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