homemade granola...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7ml5G4ylkUvZEt3_7N7Jq6uebJ0rACCWE4i2CHzy2sG8pNwcRtekT6J8Ywp2KPtcjrSqPWLoIbXFltvxZ-6kSMiL1f2DngGinM-6HeaVNFUYWVxAdCHVdMrn6eQMx6GcHHVEno35rPk/s1600/holiday+2013+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7ml5G4ylkUvZEt3_7N7Jq6uebJ0rACCWE4i2CHzy2sG8pNwcRtekT6J8Ywp2KPtcjrSqPWLoIbXFltvxZ-6kSMiL1f2DngGinM-6HeaVNFUYWVxAdCHVdMrn6eQMx6GcHHVEno35rPk/s640/holiday+2013+104.JPG" width="550" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know I don't post a lot of food here on the blog... but I am hoping that will be changing.  </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just like last year I wanted to challenge myself to do a little something in hopes of bettering myself in the year to come.  So here is a confession.. I don't cook much- shh.  Life is busy and to be honest I am not a food lover, I have often wished there was a way to be full and eat without taking all of the time.  I know I know- there are so many things out there that taste so wonderful, I just don't like to take the extra time.  Anyway, that leads me to my challenge for this year (I am counting the year from my birthday to my birthday) I am going to try and make dinner for my family at least 3 times a week.  Please don't gasp or judge!  I am hoping that it will become a good habit much like my habit (obsession) with reading that is still going strong.  I am also hoping to be better about sharing here on the blog because we can all use some great yummy ideas to keep food interesting right?  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>I would love to hear how you keep your food life interesting (this girl needs ideas).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This granola is something that I make fairly often and it is simple and delicious sprinkled over yogurt or simply with milk and some fresh berries.  I have twe<i>a</i>ked it a little bit from the original...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Homemade granola </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4 1/2 cups Old fashioned rolled oats (not instant)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3/4 cup shelled, raw, unsalted sunflower seeds</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 1/2 cups slivered raw almonds</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 tablespoons ground cinnamon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 1/4 cups pure maple syrup, preferably grade A dark amber</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/3 cup canola oil</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">salt to taste (I usually use a couple of pinches)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tablespoon ground flax seed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">optional: 1 cup dried cranberry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. Preheat oven 325 degrees</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. Place oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, salt, flax seed and cinnamon in a large bowl and combine.  Add the maple syrup and oil, stir until all the dry ingredients are moistened.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Spread the granola on a 12 x 17" rimmed baking sheet.  Bake until it begins to brown, about 25 minutes, then stir with a spatula.  Let the granola continue to bake until it is lightly browned, dry and fragrant, about 15-20 mins longer.  Stir the granola at least one more time while it continues to bake and watch carefully as it can burn quickly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. Let it cool on the baking sheet, add in cranberries or dried fruit.  Transfer to to an airtight container. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">recipe from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Food-Live-Earthbound-Organic-Cookbook/dp/0761138994/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386793751&sr=1-1&keywords=earthbound+farms+cookbook" target="_blank">Earthbound Farm Cookbook: Food to live by</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><img align="right" alt="Photobucket" border="0" img="" src="http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb350/littlebluedeer/littlebluedeers%20album%202/signature-8.png" /> <span style="font-size: small;">If you would like help creating inspirational spaces for yourself <a href="http://www.greigedesign.com/index2.php?v=v1#!/CONTACT" target="_blank">contact us</a>!</span>

homemade granola...

  I know I don't post a lot of food here on the blog... but I am hoping that will be changing.  Just like last year I wanted to challeng...

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