Categories
News

When Life Gives You Lemons, Try This Summer Granola Flavor

 

The bright, citrus flavor of lemons has always seemed symbolic of summer, with their sunny skin and tart bite that makes cold lemonade so refreshing on a hot day. So naturally, we wanted to encapsulate those qualities in our seasonal Lemon Drop granola, and suffice it to say; we hit the mark! Discover the ingredients to make your mouth water and learn fun ways to enjoy this summer granola.

How Our Summer Granola Shines So Bright

At Little Red Wagon Granola, we don’t shy away from big flavors, and our Lemon Drop granola is no exception. To ensure the essence of lemon is felt, we added lemon oil to impart juicy aromatics that warm the tongue. Next, sweet white chocolate chips balance the fruit’s mouth-puckering sensation, while crunchy almonds add a nutty texture to crispy, toasted oats. Finally, brown sugar binds each flavorful note into one tasty song! 

Treat Yourself to These Flavorful Pairings 

Granola purists can enjoy our Lemon Drop flavor on yogurt or straight out of the bag, but if you want to get creative, try some of these inventive combos:

  • As a topping for ice cream: The lemon crunch goes great with strawberry or Mexican vanilla ice cream.
  • Mixed in with cottage cheese: The white chocolate chips and creamy cheese combo give lemon cheesecake vibes. Yum!
  • As a crust for lemon panna cotta: Puree the granola with a bit of coconut oil and press it into a small dish. Layer the panna cotta on top, and enjoy with espresso for a lovely Italian dessert.

Try these sweet delights anytime you need a filling indulgence!

Taste The Sun With Little Red Wagon’s Seasonal Flavor 

If you’re a lemon lover, head to our online shop to stock up on Lemon Drop granola before it’s gone! While you’re there, check out other fan favorites like the richly-flavored Crunchy Monkey or our versatile Original flavor that the whole family can enjoy! Need more recipe inspiration? We’re always mixing something up in our blog

 

Categories
News

Why Our Clean Granola Ingredients Are Better for You and the Environment

 

Little Red Wagon Granola has been committed to natural, sustainably sourced ingredients since our inception in 2004. As a result, our granolas are high in fiber and protein with a sugar content that’s about half the amount of major granola brands. Let’s explore the clean granola ingredients we use as alternatives to the high fructose corn syrup, sorbitol, and palm oil often found in popular granola bars and mixes.

Instead of Corn Syrup and Sorbitol, We Use…

We prefer to use real brown sugar and dried fruit to sweeten our granolas rather than high fructose corn syrup, which is difficult for your body to digest and can increase cholesterol. 

Eating large amounts of high fructose corn syrup or pure sugar will have negative health consequences. The American Heart Association recommends that women limit added sugars to 25 grams daily and men limit their intake to 36 grams daily.  That’s why we combine brown sugar and fruit to sweeten our granola, which never exceeds 11 grams of sugar per serving. That’s about half of the amount popular brands pack into a similar-sized serving. 

Don’t get us wrong, we love including sweet treats like chocolate and dried fruits in some of our granolas, but a little goes a long way. We’re careful to add just enough so that you taste it but not so much that it overpowers your palate. 

Instead of Palm Oil, We Use…

Many granola manufacturers use palm oil, while we use butter or vegetable oil. Palm oil actually has some health benefits that butter and vegetable oil don’t. Still, its negative impact on the environment and wildlife outweighs the health perks of its vitamin E and A content

To further our Healthy Earth mission, we opt to use butter or vegetable oil in our recipes. They deepen the flavors and don’t add to deforestation, and have a lower carbon footprint.

Get Your Clean Granola Fix With Little Red Wagon’s Online Shop

At Little Red Wagon, our granola is an extension of us and our values. If we don’t want our kids to eat it, it’s not going in our granola. Plus, we add nutrient-dense ingredients like almonds and pecans whenever possible. Check out our online shop to try one or all of our mouth-watering flavors packed with fiber and protein!

 

Categories
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!

Categories
News

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!

Categories
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. 

Categories
News

Is Yogurt and Granola Healthy For Breakfast?

 

At the start of the New Year, healthy foods are a hot topic. And yogurt and granola is 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, preference low-sugar options, and choose varieties of yogurt that are low in fat and 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 unflavored Greek yogurt and add some honey for a little natural sweetness. 

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.

 

Categories
News

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.

Categories
News

Easy Fall-Themed Snacks with Pumpkin Spice (and Everything Nice)

 

Fall is all about snacks chock-full of warm flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and the long-awaited favorite: pumpkin spice. With so many great foods to choose from, you can make some creative, fall-themed snacks! So whether you’re planning a spooky movie marathon or a harvest party for your friends, embrace the best that fall foods offer with these easy, delicious ideas.

Make a Harvest Snack Mix With Pumpkin Patch Granola

Nothing spells fall like Chex Mix. It’s a versatile savory or sweet treat your kids will love to eat by the handful. But instead of buying the premade grocery store seasoned mix, create your own with the bounty of the season’s flavors. Start with plain rice, corn, or cinnamon Chex, and add in white chocolate chips, mini pretzels, dried apples, and our favorite: Pumpkin Patch granola. Crunch your way through November with this fall-themed snack that’s sure to be a favorite!

For The Ultimate Fall Themed Snack: Apple Slices with Caramel Dip

This simple pleasure both adults and kids will love! A caramel apple without the chewy, sticky mess is a real crowd-pleaser. You can cut up several varieties. We suggest a tart or green variety to contrast the sweetness of the dipping caramel. Cut apples into wedges, serve fanned out on a plate with the dip in the middle, and watch it disappear before your eyes.  

Yogurt Parfait Cups With Big Apple Granola

Tangy, protein-packed Greek yogurt is an excellent way to fulfill your protein needs without even noticing it. And, of course, it can always be replaced with a nut or soy-based yogurt if you’re dairy free. These parfaits can be served by the tray full as an after-school snack or a great, quick, premade breakfast. 

Start with a layer of yogurt at the base of the parfait. Then, sprinkle in something crunchy like our Big Apple granola, roasted almonds, your seeds of choice ( we recommend roasted pumpkin seeds). Then layer on a seasonal fruit like persimmons, apples, or pears, finish off with a drizzle of honey, a dusting of cinnamon, and dip in your spoon. 

Sprinkle Some Granola On Your Favorite Pumpkin Loaf or Apple Muffins

Did we mention we love granola because it’s good on everything? Add some crunch to your family’s favorite pumpkin loaf recipe or apple muffins by using our Original granola as a topper. It’s a great way to add some crunch without all the extra sugar. Spread the love and share this snack with your family and friends. They’ll love it! 

Celebrate Fall Themed Snacks with Free Shipping 

Stock your fall pantry with Little Red Wagon Granola. If you live in the continental U.S., we offer free shipping on any of our granola bags, in 10 oz. or our new 4 lb. bags! Or, if you’re the type that loves a little of everything, order our variety pack and try every flavor of our small batch healthy granola. 

Categories
News

What’s It Take To Make The Best Healthy Granola?

 

From a farmer’s market favorite to a national brand, Little Red Wagon Granola has a mission everyone can love: feeding people the best healthy granola. We still believe that small-batch granola tastes the best (and is the best for you)! Making the best healthy granola requires top-quality ingredients. From the warmth of cinnamon to the subtle crunch of almonds and pecans, our original flavors will keep you coming back for more. 

Handmade with Love In Small Batches

There’s just no replacement for homemade. You know this when you bite into our crunchy, fresh-baked granola. The oats have a crisp edge to them that is unmistakable, and the ingredients are sprinkled perfectly in every bite. We pay attention to detail, and our customers know to expect the best every time they pick up a bag.

If you’re a granola every morning type of person (or just love to share) try our new 4 lb bags for even more of a good thing.

The Best Healthy Granola Is Never Sugary Sweet 

At Little Red Wagon Granola, we would never dream of layering our beautifully crafted oats with low-quality sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup. And you won’t find any sugary clumps in our batches! We are thoughtful in our approach to healthy food. Our oats are flavored with real brown sugar for that deeper molasses flavor that adds contrast and depth of flavor. 

Nutrient-Dense and Packed With Fiber

The best healthy granola isn’t just tasty; it’s also good for you. Foods rich in fiber also keep you full and satisfied longer, not to mention the benefits for your gut health! Our fresh, preservative-free whole-grain oats have healthy fiber and nutrients in every bite. In addition, our oats are packed with beta-glucan, the fiber that stabilizes blood sugar and boosts immunity. Add monounsaturated fats from nuts like pecans and almonds to keep bad cholesterol levels at bay, and you’ve got a heart-healthy snack!

The Best Healthy Granola Is Little Red Wagon

When you’ve got a good thing going on, you share it! Our granola is passed around by the handful across picnic blankets and breakfast tables to friends and family. And we love sharing the best healthy granola varieties with you.

From seasonal flavors like Pumpkin Patch, and Big Apple to classic favorites like Crunchy Monkey or Original, try our variety pack in four, eight, or 12-pack options! 

Categories
News

Practical Uses For What To Do With Leftover Granola

If you’re a granola lover, then you already know the dilemma: what to do with those last few bites of sweet and crunchy granola that always seem to be left at the bottom of the bag? It’s not enough to be a bowlful or even a filling snack. But you’d never dream of tossing it out! Well, you’re in luck. This month we’re taking a creative look at what to do with leftover granola. 

Mini Fruit Crumble With Stewed Apples And Leftover Granola Recipe

This treat couldn’t be easier and it’s perfect for fall! Just dice one or two apples (or a cup of your favorite fruit), transfer to a bowl, and add one to two tablespoons of butter, half a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, and a bit of lemon zest. 

Mix ingredients until the apples are well coated, then place them on the stove in a small pot. Cover and heat on medium for fifteen to twenty minutes, stirring occasionally. 

As the mixture cooks, grab your granola (we love our original granola for this recipe) and chop it up in a food processor, making it extra crumbly. Sprinkle on top of your stewed apples, and enjoy! 

Stone Fruit Smoothie Bowl Topped With Leftover Granola

Power up your morning with this nutrient-dense leftover granola recipe: blend two cups of frozen cherries with half a banana, one cup of coconut water or milk, and a half cup of frozen peaches. 

Once the mixture is smooth, pour it into a bowl. Sprinkle it with chia or flax seeds and some Crunchy Monkey Granola. 

Not only will your body appreciate the anti-inflammatory benefits of the cherries and healthy fats from the seeds, but your tastebuds will love the indulgence of Crunchy Monkey’s chocolate chips!

Buttery Baked Sweet Potato And Leftover Granola Recipe

Look no further if you want a filling snack that packs a punch in the health and comfort department! 

Take a baked sweet potato and mash the insides to a creamy consistency. Add a little coconut oil and a pinch of Maldon salt and turmeric. Mix these with the mash before drizzling a tablespoon of maple syrup over it. 

Then top it with those last few handfuls of our nutty and citrusy Cosmopolitan granola for some crunch and diversity. 

Shop Little Red Wagon Granola To Find More Flavors 

Hungry yet? Us too! Check our online store to see what other granola varieties are available and create your own leftover granola recipes. You can also find where Little Red Wagon Granola is sold near you to pick up a bag (or five).