Granola

On the 27th April, our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team, Carlson Gracie Essex had an awesome seminar at the Chelmsford gym. Including the instructors, and our head coach and black belt Alain Pozo, we had around 60 people on the mats training. It was a celebration of 2 years of the Chelmsford gym being open that myself and James Costa started back in 2012. We went from having classes in a rented space at Fitness First, to a huge purpose built Martial Arts gym called Chelmsford City Martial Arts.
We run 4 classes a week there and each week we have new people coming and trying the classes, and now have over 30 members training.

Carlson Gracie Essex

The seminar was taught by Alain and Chelmsfords Friday night class instructor, brown belt Sam Gibson. Alain taught some passing of the guard, and Sam taught an Omoplata sweep.
All the team then lined up in grade order and Alain presented a lot of students with stripes on their belts, and me included was given my 3rd stripe. Then came the belts and a few students from Colchester and Chelmsford were promoted to their blue belts. Alistair Tweed who trains in Chelmsford was promoted to a very deserving Purple belt.
The great thing about Carlson Gracie team, when someone is presented with their belts, they really do deserve it and have worked so hard to achieve their belts.

Receiving my 3rd stripe on my blue belt

 A new Gi courtesy of my sponsors, scramble

The atmosphere was brilliant on the day, and we ended the seminar with plenty of hard sparring. Then on to a meal at Frankie & Benny's.
With a competition coming up this weekend, I had to make sure that my diet was good, so I opted for a Crab salad.

Keeping a good diet hasn't been too much of a problem. Don't get me wrong, I do crave unhealthy foods, but I think about how they make me feel after I eat them, and instantly it puts me off.

I saw a low carb Granola for sale at the strength gym that I go to, but they were out of stock when I wanted to buy some. After searching on the internet for a good recipe to make my own Granola.
After a few attempts and one burnt batch, I found the perfect recipe of my own.

Here is how I made it:

Ingredients:

120g Mixed Nuts (Brazils, walnuts, almonds, cashews.... you get the picture)
40g seeds
20g Flaked Almonds
40g Cranberries
20g Raisins
40g Coconut strips
Tbspn Coconut oil
Tbspn of honey

Method:

Whizz the nuts, seeds and coconut strips in a food processor for about 10 seconds. Put in a bowl and add the raisins, cranberries and flaked almonds.
Melt the coconut oil and add the honey together and pour over the nuts and seeds etc.
Mix well, then place on a baking tray with baking paper and place in the oven for 10-12 minutes at 180 C.
Cool completely. You may want to put it in the fridge. Once hardened, break in to pieces and keep in the fridge until you want to use it to sprinkle over smoothies, or eat handfuls at a time for a snack.
Be warned! This is so yummy, you will be addicted!!!

 Before the Granola is baked in the oven

When its ready to eat

Enjoy!
Jolie