Crunchy Granola

I can't believe I made this recipe this weekend, but it will become a staple item now. I don't know what possessed me to make it. I saw this, it looked good, so I made it. Clay also told me a few weeks ago he likes the granola on top of the yogurt at McDonald's. I know this is much healthier than that! :) So, here it is:



Ingredients:

• 4 cups of old fashioned oats


• 1 cup nuts, toasted and chopped (optional)


• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar


• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon


• 1/4 teaspoon of salt


• 1/2 cup butter


• 1/4 cup honey


• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract


• 1 cup of chopped dried fruit (I tried raisins and apricots this time)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F


2. Line a rimed baking sheet with foil and grease generously with oil or spray.


3. Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl


4. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and honey, stirring to combine. Add the vanilla and stir.


5. Pour the honey butter over the oat mixture and stir to combine. Turn the mixture into the prepared pan and spread over an even layer.


6. Bake for 15 minutes, remove from the oven and stir. Return the granola to the over and bake for 10-15 minutes more, checking to make sure it doesn't burn


7. Cool in the pan on a cooling rack, the transfer to an airtight contain.

Healthy Snacks During and After School

For those who don't know, our mom, Jane, is a dental hygienist. Tracie and I grew up in a very sugar sheltered world. I was probably seven before I tried Lucky Charms. As deprived as I thought I was then, I can't believe that stuff is still on the shelves now. My girls are growing up in the same kind of household 25 years later. Mom gave me this list of healthy kids snacks over Christmas, and I have now uncovered it on day 3 of being off for snow. So, here it is. . .there are some great ideas!

• Fruit kabobs; melons, grapes, and berries
• Slivers of carrots of celery with hummus
• Whole grain bagel with peanut butter
• Soft, whole wheat taco shell with melted low-fat cheese
• Mozzarella string cheese with whole grain crackers
• Smoothies made with low-fat yogurt and frozen berries
• Trail mix made with popcorn and nuts
• Salsa and chips
• Mini pizzas made on whole wheat English muffin
• Turkey roll ups
• Whole grain cereal with fresh fruit
• Slice banana with peanut butte and cereal sprinkles

Delicious and Easy Snack

So this isn't exactly a recipe, but roll with it. My new favorite snack to munch on at work is this:

dipped with this:

and this:

It is delicious and healthy! The light cheese has only 35 calories per wedge and it is a great way to make you eat your veggies. The little bit of cheese is enough to make you feel like you got a treat and since it's in an individual serving, you won't eat too much. I've tried the cheese in Original, French Onion, and Garlic & Herb. They are all great. So next time you are at the store, pick some up and give it a try.

(PS- No one is paying me to advertise this, but I wish they were)