I LOVE traveling. I've been adventurous ever since I was a little shy girl. I didn't let my shyness stop me from getting lost and climbing just about anything. Anyways, when I was in India for a month the only thing I missed was cooking my own food! Ah, what I privilege I took for granted! The food there was DELICIOUS! But food taste better when you make it for yourself. That's why I love cooking. No one knows your taste buds like you do. How much salt you like in your food, how spicy, sweet? Greasy or not greasy? Besides, you add in the love. 

Cheesy. In a vegan way. 

I'd be eating Masala Dosa and it's SO good, but all I can think about is "oh god, if only it wasn't so salty and was spicier" or "Oh if only they didn't add celery to this!!" and so on..

Now I have a long ass list on my phone of all the Indian recipes I want to make. Plus the other dishes I craved while I was there.

Like Muesli. 

The reason I was craving muesli was because one day I was watching Bonny Rebecca's channel on Youtube and oh her bowl just looked mouth watering so here I am making me one. Bonny is one of my favorite Youtubers. She's just so sweet, kind, and funny. Authentic. Maybe that's the word I'm looking for. 

We had muesli at the Ashram but it was bland for me plus a generous amount of unnatural sweeteners and preservatives. Same as most of the brands you find at the store that label themselves as being "healthy". So I hope you're here to make your own because it's fun, economic, and personalized! 

Toasted Spiced Muesli

Ingredients

• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup raw almonds (pieces or whole)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla powder
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• Pinch of allspice, ginger, cardamom, & nutmeg
• 1 cup popped quinoa
• 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds (or any kind of seed/nut)
• 1/2 cup dried fruits (I used goji berries)
•  1/4 cup ground flaxseeds

For serving

• fruits: sliced bananas, mangos, berries, kiwi etc
• almond butter or any kind of nut butter
• natural fruit spread! (A favorite of mine + no need for extra sweetener)
• maple syrup, date syrup, or coconut sugar to taste
• rice, oat, hazelnut, cashew, almond, soy, or coconut milk!

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 325F ~160C
2. Mix the oats, raw nuts, and spices all together then spread in an even layer on a baking sheet
3. Bake for 15 minutes stirring half way
4. Meanwhile mix all of the remaining ingredients together and prepare your fruits and your camera ;)
5. When your oats and nuts are toasted, let them cool for a few minutes then mix them with the rest
6. Store in a jar and use the remaining with some cold or warm milk and your favorite toppings.

*Note: You can also use it to make overnight oats!