Healthy Granola Without Any Gimmicks

When many people think of granola, two words pop into mind: healthy and natural. After all, granola and granola bars are one of the most diet-conscious foods we can eat, right? Guess again. The truth is that most of the granola varieties found in our local supermarkets contain more than the fair share of sugar, high fructose corn syrup and other artificial additives. In some cases, they’re no healthier than a candy bar.

After realizing that granola was merely posing as a health food, Misty Watkins took matters into her own hands and kitchen to bring granola back to what it should be. Ten years later she and her company are known as Granola Girl. It sells healthful granola throughout Southern California.

“I started baking the granola 10 years ago just for myself, friends, and family because I couldn’t find another granola without added sugar, preservatives and other additives,” Watkins said. “It wasn’t until three years ago that I started marketing it and selling it.”

Granola Girl offers two varieties- Maple Pecan and Cranberry Almond- both of which are made with all locally grown and organic ingredients. Watkins bakes the granola in small batches each week to guarantee its freshness, and doesn’t use any added sugars. Instead, she uses raw honey and pure maple syrup.

Since she began marketing the product, Watkins’ granola has become wildly popular both locally and out of town. She currently sells at several farmers’ markets including the , Little Italy, and Oceanside. In addition, customers can order her product online if they can’t make it to the market of their choice.

“I love that I can offer people a healthy product for their families and also their children,” Watkins said. “It feels good to make something that’s good for people, and benefits the health and happiness of their life too.”

To learn more about Granola Girl products, visit Misty on Sunday at the Open Aire Market, or check out her Facebook page to read customer reviews.