Healthy Living Recipes- Granola

Easy, Nutritious Granola Recipe

Healthy, nutritious granola is easy to make and will keep about 10 days in a sealed container or ziploc plastic bag. Here is a basic repipe which you can adapt to your personal tastes.

Begin by melting 1/2 cup of smart balance or some form of heart-healthy margarine. Add 1/2 cup honey and 1/2 cup brown sugar-or for lower calories, 1/4 cup brown sugar Splenda.

While these ingredients are melting, combine:

3 cups oatmeal

3 cups of healthy flake type cereal with the flakes crunched up somewhat. I use various brands, including Kashi cereals.

Set this mixture aside. In another bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients which are up to your individual tastes. Here are a few examples:

raisins

nuts-any type

sunflower seeds

dehydrated berries, cranberries or cherries

carob chips or chocolate chips-if you don't mind the calories

dried fruit-either buy fruit bits or cut up your own

If you have any odd bits of trail mix around, throw that in too. You need to end up with at least 2-3 cups of these ingredients, depending on how you like your granola.

Once your honey/margarine mixture is melted, mix it in with the oatmeal, cereal combo. Spread this mixture on a cookie sheet or two. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Remove from oven and allow to cool, then mix in the fruit/nut mixture. Sprinkle on 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and mix thoroughly.

Seal in a ziploc bag or plastic container. Use within 10 days.

Granola can be eaten as a cereal alone, it can be sprinkled on yogurt or ice cream or taken along in a sealed bag as a nutritious snack on the go. Most kids love granola - they don't realize they are eating a healthy snack!

Nutritious Granola as made above contains fiber, vitamins and minerals.