Granola is probably one of the easiest things to make with a handful of ingredients at home. But like all things, ingredients matter... Especially when it comes to granola using oats. We include organic, gluten-free rolled or steel-cut oats a couple of days per week for the kid's breakfast or in granola as a snack. But, did you know the importance of purchasing organic rolled oats?
The big concern is the presence of glyphosate found in oats. Glyphosate, also known as Roundup, is the most widely used herbicide in the US. It is the most commonly used pesticide in parks and is even found in foods that adults and kids love. Glyphosate is sometimes used to dry out oats just prior to harvest.
Despite claims by the EPA that American families are at “safe” exposure levels, glyphosate has been shown to be toxic and can cause a host of problems. Here is a list of confirmed and potential dangers of glyphosate:
1. Endocrine (Hormone) Disruptors
A 2012 study published in the scientific journal Toxicology shows that mice exposed to glyphosate-based herbicides at levels lower than the EPA safety recommendations suffered liver and kidney damage, breast tumors, hormone imbalance and early death. Endocrine disruptors also have the potential to put excess weight on you, increasing your chance of obesity.
2. Birth Defects and Tumors
Since the 1980s, many studies have shown that glyphosate at high levels can cause birth defects and malformations in experimental animals. A study published by the American Chemical Society in 2010, showed malformations in frog and chicken embryos. This could be due to its role as an endocrine disruptor, adding to the dangers of glyphosate.
3. Chelator
A chelator, such as a glyphosate, is a chemical compound that binds to metal ions in molecules and removes them. Glyphosate, therefore, strips these crops of micronutrients, like iron, magnesium, and zinc, according to Mercola.com.
4. Antibiotic
Acting as an antibiotic, glyphosate kills not only bad bacteria but also destroys good bacteria and other beneficial organisms in both the human body as well as in the soil. Good bacteria is needed to help fight the bad. This imbalance means that healthy flora in your intestines gets pushed out, creating problems that can lead to gut-related diseases, like gluten intolerance, leaky gut, diarrhea, and more. Read more about that at “Toxicology Expert Speaks Out About Roundup and GMOs” on Mercola.com.
These are HUGE reasons to steer clear of potentially contaminated foods, purchase the higher price tag organic oats and use them more sparingly.
On to the recipe…
Ingredients:
4 cups old-fashioned organic, gluten-free rolled oats 1 cup pecans 1 cup pumpkin seeds 1 tsp real salt 1 tsp cinnamon 6 egg whites 1/4 cup honey 1 tsp vanilla 3 Tbsp Chia seeds
Putting it all together:
Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine all ingredients and stir well.
Evenly distribute the mixture on the baking sheet and bake for 23 min or until lightly golden brown. Let the mixture cool completely!
Nutrient data:
24 servings Calories: 127 Carbohydrate: 18 g Protein: 5.4 g Fat: 7.7 g Fiber: 3.4 g Sugar: 3.3 g
Once cooled, store this recipe in a clean mason jar for up to 3 months!
