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Recipes

Cosmopolitan Carrot-Granola Smoothie Bowl

 

Spring is officially upon us, and with it, a new season and all the changes this season brings. We hope you have had a chance to enjoy all that April offers, whether it’s an April Fool’s joke, Easter festivities, or Spring Break. I am personally enjoying the extra sunshine and all that is blooming.  Although April weather can be a bit all over the place, cold and rainy one day to warm and sunny the next, it reminds us that summer and warm days are around the corner. 

As the weather shifts, our meal routines start to shift from the heartier winter meals to lighter fare. Granola smoothie bowls are a great way to start off the day with a light but filling and nutritious breakfast. 

Our Cosmopolitan carrot granola smoothie bowl is a great way to get more servings of fruits and vegetables into your routine and blends carrots with your favorite tropical fruits.  Greek yogurt provides a good source of calcium, protein, and probiotics.  Our handmade granola rounds out both the flavor profile and nutrition with heart-healthy fiber and protein.

Granola Smoothie Ingredients:
  • 1 cup of frozen tropical fruit blend (or your favorite frozen tropical fruits, pineapple, mangos, etc.)
  • 4 baby carrots
  • 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt 
  • 2 Tbsp of coconut milk
  • 4 Tbsp of orange juice 
  • 1/4 cup of Little Red Wagon Cosmopolitan Granola (or your favorite flavor)
  • Additional toppings of your choice: shredded coconut, chia seeds, fresh fruit
Granola Smoothie Directions:
  1. In a blender, add your frozen fruits, carrots, yogurt, coconut milk, and orange juice.
  2. Blend until there are no large chunks of fruit or carrot. You may see small bits of the carrot or fruit, but that should be fine.
  3. Using a rubber spatula, pour/scrape the smoothie into a bowl.
  4. Sprinkle granola on top and top with any additional toppings of choice.
  5. Enjoy!
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News

Little Red Wagon Granola Earned Our Safe Quality Food Certification! Here’s Why It Matters

 

The Little Red Wagon Granola team is proud to announce that after much hard work with The Safe Quality Food (SQF) Program, we have earned our SQF certification! We’ve been working towards this certification for quite a while, and it’s so gratifying to achieve it. Our goal is to provide food products that meet extremely high standards, and the Safe Quality Food certification ensures actions behind those values. But what does this program do, and how did we get certified? We’ll cover all that and how it impacts granola lovers like you!

What Does the SQF Program Do?

SQF was a division created in 1994 by the Food Marketing Institute to address increasing concerns surrounding food safety, especially after foodborne illnesses like E.coli affected fast food customers.

Before the SQF Institute was established, quality control was up to local food supply chains. Consequently, there needed to be a globally standardized approach to assess food safety, quality, or traceability. 

That’s where SQF stepped in. Their mission was, and is, to establish unilaterally standard practices ensuring food producers, manufacturers, processors, retailers, packagers, and transporters follow SQF regulations. Part of this mission is to educate food production brands on proper SQF protocol to ensure consumers’ safety and earn certification.

How LRWG Earned Its Safe Quality Food Certification

Little Red Wagon Granola is more than just a business for us. It’s our legacy and our passion. We hand-make each batch using natural ingredients. Those are lovely sentiments and aspects of our brand, but earning our SQF certification was the natural next step. 

To prepare for the SQF site audit, one of our team members got a separate certification to help Little Red Wagon identify gaps and our current processes. At the same time, the rest of us studied the SQF code, analysis, and standards. Luckily, they provide classes and resources online to educate the team. All of this helped us understand where we needed to improve and re-organize. Then came the exciting (and nerve-wracking) day we’d been working towards. 

And…drumroll, please…we passed! We have our Safe Quality Food certification, and soon our packaging will bear this hard-earned emblem. Plus, we’ll be re-certified every year, so you know that we’ll never reduce our standards.

Enjoy Your Favorite Granola With Confidence

All this industry jargon means for you is that it’s not just lip service when we say our granola is handmade by us, using sustainably sourced, natural ingredients. It also means that you and your family can feel safe enjoying your favorite Little Red Wagon Granola flavors because each has passed quality and safety standards. Shop on our website to stock up, or find us in your local market!

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Recipes

Need Green Desserts For St. Patrick’s Day? Little Red Wagon Granola Has You Covered

 

We hope that your March is off to a great start!  As winter turns to spring, we hope that you are able to enjoy longer days and warming temperatures.  Depending on where you live, you may be starting to see flowers bloom and trees turn green. If you’re anything like us, you’re looking forward to one of the heralds of Spring, St. Patrick’s Day, and need some ideas for green desserts to bring to St. Paddy’s festivities. 

When you are out about and want a quick no-bake treat, try our no-bake Leprechaun Granola Squares. They are a fun treat to whip up on St. Patrick’s Day or can be modified to fit any festive occasion.

No Bake Leprechaun Granola Squares 

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups mini marshmallows 
  • 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
  • 1 bag of Little Red Wagon Big Apple granola
  • 4 tablespoons of festive sprinkles, 1 tablespoon reserved
  • 3 tablespoons of mini green chocolate coated candies, 1 tablespoon reserved ( optional and can be modified to suit the occasion)

Instructions:

  1. In a medium size microwave-safe bowl, add butter and marshmallows.  Microwave in intervals of 30 seconds until butter and marshmallows are melted together.  Stir in between each interval to ensure the butter and marshmallows combine thoroughly.
  2. Add a whole bag of Little Red Wagon Big granola to the butter and marshmallow mixture.  Mix until everything is incorporated.  Add sprinkles and chocolate candies to the mixture (reserving some to garnish on top) and mix just until incorporated.
  3. Using a silicone spatula, spread the mixture into well greased 13×9 baking pan or parchment paper lined pan.  Garnish with the remainder of the sprinkles and candies, then gently level with a spatula or more parchment paper.
  4. Let sit in the fridge for 15 minutes, then remove from pan and cut into squares or desired shape. Enjoy! 
  5. Store any leftovers in an air-tight container and eat within a few days.

This is one of those green desserts that is actually satisfying and a nice change from green beer and green cupcakes! 

From Little Red Wagon Granola to you: Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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Get The Freshest Take on Apple Cinnamon Granola With Little Red Wagon

If we had to guess America’s favorite fruit, the apple would be a top contender. The balance of crispness and sweetness make it a perfect snack staple or star ingredient anytime of the day or year.  Our Big Apple Granola, plays homage to the all american fruit and brings together the delicious flavor of apple with comforting notes of cinnamon.

Why We Call It “Big” Apple Cinnamon Granola

Some may think of New York City when they hear “Big Apple”, but we think apples are a star in their own right!  To ensure our take on this classic flavor hit all the right notes, we mixed both dried apple chunks and unsweetened applesauce.  Pecans add a nutty crunch, raisins a delicious chewiness, and cinnamon a subtle warmth that ties it all together.

Although our Big Apple Granola is a winter seasonal, it’s so popular we make it year round, so you never have to miss out!  

Ways To Enjoy Our Apple Cinnamon Granola

We love adding granola to yogurt as much as the next person, but why not shake up your routine with some of the following combinations? 

  • Crumble and sprinkle on top of a berry compote for an easy topping.
  • Add to an arugula salad for a sweet crunch and extra fiber.
  • Layer it on fresh apple rings with peanut butter for a sweet and savory snack. 
  • Mix with walnuts and puffed brown rice for a hearty trail mix.

The versatility of apple cinnamon granola makes it a great choice for families with a wide variety of palettes.  Even the pickiest eaters seem to

An Apple (Granola) A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

Don’t let the indulgent taste fool you; there’s nothing to feel guilty about when eating Big Apple Granola.  It’s packed with nutritious ingredients that fuel your body. Complex carbohydrates plus six grams of protein and five grams of fiber will keep you full and provide sustained energy for your busy day. Plus, potassium, calcium, and iron will support your muscles and bones.

Stock Up On Little Red Wagon Granola Today!

Hungry for more? At Little Red Wagon, we handmake our granola with fresh, natural ingredients. Find flavors like Big Apple and more available online or in a store near you!

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Recipes

No-Bake Cheesecake Bites With Granola

 

If you’re on the hunt for an easy no bake dessert, try our no bake cheesecake granola bites.  These bite sized treats are the perfect blend of creamy cheesecake and crunchy granola, and they come together in no time at all!  They are also packed with phytonutrients like flavonoids from the dark chocolate that are great for brain and heart health.  These bites are great for a quick snack, a fun party treat, or even a sweet little gift.  So indulge with confidence, these no-bake cheesecake bites are small, delicious, and nutritious: a trio of absolute perfection!

Ingredients

Cheesecake filling 

8 oz block of cream cheese ( at room temperature)

1/2 cup powdered sugar 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Crust 

1 1/2 cups of Original granola

1 tablespoon melted coconut oil 

Chocolate Coating

2 cups dark chocolate chips

1/2 tsp of coconut oil

Ice tray or silicone mold 

Instructions

  1. Microwave the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil in a medium bowl for 30 seconds. Stir and microwave again for 30 seconds until just melted.
  2. Pour about a teaspoon of the melted chocolate into each ice cube mold. Use your fingers or a spoon to cover the sides of the mold completely. Save the remaining chocolate mixture and freeze the ice tray until the chocolate is solid (about 10 minutes).
  3. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese and vanilla and beat with a hand mixer until smooth. Add powdered sugar and mix until incorporated. Set aside.
  4. Using a food processor, pulse granola until a crumb consistency is reached. Add melted coconut oil and mix to incorporate.
  5. Fill ice tray cubes with a thin layer of granola crumb mixture, add the Cheesecake mix, and top with chocolate. Keep the ice tray in the fridge until the chocolate hardens.
  6. Enjoy!
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News

Buying Bulk Granola Wholesale? Look For This In The Best

 

Whether you’re buying bulk granola wholesale for your big family, your business, or to save the earth from a little less packaging waste, one thing is for sure: we’re glad you’re here! Sometimes more is more, especially when it comes to your favorite granola. 

When placing a big order of anything, it’s important to get it right. At Little Red Wagon, we believe anyone buying bulk granola should use these quality markers to find a supplier they can rely on.

Consistent Product Quality In Every Bag Of Granola

With our small-batch granola baked onsite, you can count on freshness in every order. Transparency in our process is key to maintaining the highest level of quality. That’s why every bag of granola is stamped with a date and batch number for traceability and quality assurance. And should a question or problem arise with your order, our small team can answer any questions or dispatch a last-minute order. 

Timely Bulk Granola Wholesale Orders In Any Amount You Need

Want a certain type of granola in bulk that you can’t find on the website? How about bag sizing options? We are a small and flexible team that is happy to accommodate your requests. Our bulk granola wholesale orders do not require you to buy so much that the product goes bad before you use it! 

Our granola comes in cases of two packaged unit sizes: our retail 10 oz. bags and our bulk options, which range from 4 lb. family-size packages on up! Choose from granola flavors in these unit sizes, including our Cosmopolitan, Chunky Monkey, or our OG favorite: Original. 

Going Bulk Means Going Green & Saving A Few Bucks

Saving the planet maybe wasn’t on your to-do list when you ordered granola in bulk for the first time, but it certainly can be! Bulk foods are great for a few reasons: ordering more helps keep costs down, it cuts down on packaging waste of the smaller volume bags sold in retail, and it is more efficiently packaged, which cuts down on transportation costs. Ta-da! We see a community garden already in your future. The icing on the cake is also the cost savings. Cost per unit drops when you buy in bulk, and who doesn’t love saving a few extra dollars?

Choose Little Red Wagon For Your Next Bulk Granola Wholesale Order

Whether you want to sign up for a regular distribution of granola or need a one-off order for a big event, we’d love to be your granola people. Premium quality and freshness matter deeply to us. That’s why our granola is baked lovingly in small batches to ensure that crisp crackle of perfectly baked whole-grain oats in every bite! 

Please fill out our bulk granola wholesale form to find out more about our pricing, shipping, and how ordering works. Want some inspiration on all the creative things you can do with granola? Check out our blog to get a feel for our products and the recipes that make life better with our granola. 

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Recipes

Cranberry Orange Cosmopolitan Blondies

Happy New Year! We hope this joyous and relaxing holiday season has recharged you.  Every year brings new adventures and many possibilities and opportunities. As you conquer the year ahead, we encourage you to take time to prioritize cultivating joy in your day alongside accomplishing goals or tasks. 

Incorporating little things, like a warm cup of your favorite tea or a fun playlist, can bring life into the daily routine and make it a great year ahead! 

We, of course, love to bake and enjoy sharing our granola and recipes with you all. Our cranberry orange blondies are a great treat to share with family and friends. The orange and cranberry flavor combination is a match made in heaven.  This recipe can easily also convert into a breakfast blondie by cutting back on the sugar.  No matter the occasion you choose, we hope it brings a little joy to your day!

Ingredients

¾ cup melted butter

1 ¼ cup brown sugar

A pinch of salt

A pinch of cinnamon

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 egg

1 ½ cup wheat or all purpose flour

½ cup dried cranberries

Zest from one orange

½ cup cosmopolitan granola crushed

¼ cup rolled oats

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F, lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan with spray and line with parchment paper, both sides overhanging for easy release.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, vanilla, and egg.  Whisk by hand until blended.
  3. Fold in flour, cranberries, crushed granola, and orange zest. 
  4. Spread batter into the lined baking pan and sprinkle rolled oats on top of the batter.
  5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. 
  6. Let cool completely, cut into squares, enjoy!
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News

Is Yogurt and Granola Healthy For Breakfast?

 

Yogurt and granola maybe a traditional breakfast go-to. But you might be wondering: is yogurt and granola healthy for breakfast? When considering your options, pay attention to serving sizes, prioritize lower sugar options, and choose varieties of yogurt that are high in protein. 

Is Yogurt and Granola Healthy? Here’s Why Serving Size Matters

Everything in moderation, the old saying goes, and the same is true about yogurt and granola. Even with a ‘healthy’ food, we can get too much of a good thing when it comes to portions. Starting the day out with six to eight ounces of high-protein yogurt, like Greek yogurt, paired with your favorite granola is an easy go-to. A nut-milk or soy-based yogurt is also a great substitute if you are lactose intolerant. Next, we turn to toppings!

High Fiber, Nutritious Oats Keep Your Gut Happy

Things like oatmeal and granola provide that signature contrast of fiber and crunch when it comes to choosing the perfect pairing for yogurt. Fiber helps to slow everything down in the body during digestion, preventing a blood sugar spike after eating. The whole-grain fiber from oats makes for a happy gut. The oats in granola help to move things along in the digestive tract and reduce inflammation. Fiber is also great for heart health, helping lower cholesterol when it’s part of a healthy diet.

So the next time you reach for your bag of granola, you’ll have a whole new appreciation for what this crunchy, snack-time favorite is doing for your health!

Source Your Probiotics and Protein From Yogurt

To kickstart the day, yogurt is a probiotic-packed protein source that also includes calcium and B vitamins. In a cup of Greek yogurt, there are 13 grams of protein which helps you stay full during the busy rush of the morning. When choosing yogurts, it’s easy to fall into the sugar trap of flavored varieties at the grocery store.  Our advice is to stick to lower sugar options like unflavored Greek yogurt and add some honey or your preferred sweetener so you can control the sugar content. 

Is Yogurt and Granola Healthy For Breakfast? Yes, If You’re Watching Sugar Intake. 

The same goes for the quality of your granola. The American Heart Association sugar recommendation for men is to consume no more than 36 grams of sugar per day, and women to consume 24 grams or less. Note that this is only for added sugars, so not counting sugars that naturally occur in dry or fresh fruit (which is actually fructose).

Keeping your breakfast under 10 added grams of sugar is a good guideline to ensure you don’t spike your blood sugar too early in the day. 

Some types of granola can be high in sugar content, so we recommend something made with high-quality ingredients like our original granola! Two-thirds cup of our original granola contains 7 grams of sugar, which is just under the recommended threshold for a balanced breakfast. 

Enjoy Your Morning Crunch With Little Red Wagon Granola

For your next breakfast, you don’t need to ask “is yogurt and granola healthy?” because now you know it meets your expectations for a high-protein, low-sugar jumpstart to the day. Your morning scoop of yogurt contains all the vitamins, proteins, and probiotics to keep a healthy lifestyle fueled. Check out our delicious, small-batch granola flavors to shake up your morning breakfast bowl.

 

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Recipes

Peppermint Latte Brownies

 

The holiday season is synonymous with baking in our household. Our peppermint brownie recipe brings together familiar flavors and helps usher in the holiday season. These brownies make a great treat to share with family or friends.

The end of the year offers a time of reflection for the year behind us and hopes and plans for the future. We are so happy for the opportunity to bring you our granola and look forward to sharing more with you in the year ahead. We hope this holiday season allows you to rest and spend time with family and friends. We wish you all a Happy New Year ahead!

Ingredients

11/2 sticks of butter (12 tablespoons) of butter at room temp.

1/1/2 cups light brown sugar

21/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon instant coffee

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (based on preference)

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup chocolate chips

3 eggs 

1 cup cocoa powder

1 cup whole wheat or all-purpose flour

1 cup crushed mocha granola

Instructions

  1. Start by creaming your room-temperature butter and sugar. Use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a handheld mixer. Beat until the butter/sugar mixture is light and fluffy. 
  2. Add in baking powder, salt, instant coffee, peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and mix until well incorporated.
  3. Melt chocolate in a microwave bowl. Heat for 30 seconds and stir. Repeat heating and stirring chocolate in 30-second intervals until chocolate is just melted.
  4. Using a rubber spatula, scrape in melted chocolate into batter mixture and mix until incorporated.
  5. Slowly add in 3 eggs in three additions separated by scraping the bowl.
  6. Add in cocoa powder and flour and mix until just combined.
  7. Lastly, add crushed granola and fold batter together using a rubber spatula. 
  8. Grease a 9/13 pan with butter and parchment paper and bake brownies at 350 F for 25 minutes or until the edges look baked through and the center is firmly set. A toothpick should come out clean from the edges of the pan and have a few moist crumbs in the center of the pan.
  9. Allow the brownies to cool to room temperature.
  10. Cut into squares and enjoy! 
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Not Your Average Granola Bowl: Take Your Breakfast To New Heights With These Superfoods

 

As the weather turns and your farmer’s market favorites disappear until next season, your morning breakfast routine might feel a bit lackluster. Craving more depth of flavor from your morning granola bowl? Switch it up with these easy superfood additions. Acai and other healthy, antioxidant-rich ingredients keep your immune system supercharged in a fun way. 

For a Granola Bowl With Flair, Try Cacao

Cacao. What’s not to love about this raw, unrefined version of chocolate that’s sure to give your morning a mineral-rich start? Cacao is the perfect ingredient to liven things up for your granola bowl if you like a hearty way to start the day off right. 

 We recommend you start with a few spoonfuls of your favorite yogurt and a scoop of Crunchy Monkey Granola with accents of a delicious mix of dried bananas, chocolate chips, pecans, and almonds. Then sprinkle in a teaspoon or more of unrefined cacao powder, a drizzle of honey, and voila: The perfect, warming, nutty granola bowl. 

For The Perfect Hint of Fruity Sweetness: The Acai Bowl

Acai berry is hard to describe if you’ve never had it before, but it’s truly delicious. It has tart notes of blackberry and even dark chocolate and is more bitter than sweet. Acai berry scores low on the glycemic index, which provides a stable morning start to your blood sugar. 

Mix a premade frozen acai pack in a blender with a scoop of your favorite protein powder (vanilla or chocolate pairs well with acai). Blend in a scoop of your favorite frozen berries or a frozen banana for thickness, add in a scoop of nut butter for even more power, and blend. Sprinkle our Original Granola over your acai granola bowl for that essential crunch, and go to town!

For The Daring To Be Different, Spirulina Is The Way To Go

Spirulina is a nutrition-dense form of algae packed with minerals like potassium, magnesium, iron, and B vitamins. You may know it for the vibrant aquamarine color it brings to any dish. Yes, like the kind in the ocean, but it’s safe to eat. Many vegetarians and vegans adore spirulina as a protein source. 

Start with a half to a full teaspoon of spirulina to add this inflammation fighter to your usual morning smoothie. Then, pour it out into a bowl. Add a few slices of fresh fruit and a sprinkle of seeds, top off with granola and be on your way. 

Stick With Granola As Your Mainstay For Every Breakfast Adventure

When you’re feeling tired of the same old combinations, a few new ingredients can put a spin on an old favorite.  A good granola is your trusty sidekick to wherever your palette may take you. Trust your gut and go with the foods you love, day after day, for fiber-packed, gut-friendly ingredients. Granola is easy, fuss-free, and pairs well with nearly any breakfast food. So go forth and conquer the day. We’ll be here, providing the same top-quality oats and an irresistible crunch, and that’s a good thing.