Sunshine in a jar

Granola of the gods

This is the best granola you will ever eat. Don't bother buying store-bought stuff...just buy some fresh ingredients and give this a try. It's healthy candy. I'm not joking!!!

6 cups whole rolled oats

2 TBSP cinnamon

1 TBSP pumpkin pie spice (optional, but I love it)

1 TBSP cardamom (this is very expensive, but totally worth it. I skipped this on the first batch and splurged on the second, and oh boy this spice gives a very nice flavor!)

1 tsp sea salt (I don't like my granola very salty, so just use as much as you'd like. CAUTION: if you are using any salted nuts, cut back on the salt here)

1/2 cup flax seed

1/2 cup chia seed

Mix all together in a big bowl

6 TBSP coconut oil

1/2 cup pure maple syrup (not Aunt Jemimas!)

1/2 cup raw wild honey (use local to help with your allergies!)

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Mix all together in separate bowl then mix in with granola mixture.

If you are using raw nuts, go ahead and mix in with the granola before baking. If you are using pre-roasted nuts, follow directions below. NOTE: I prefer going to the bins at Whole Foods and picking out my own raw nuts rather than buying pre-packaged roasted nuts. 

Spread out on 2 baking sheets covered with parchment paper.

Bake at 300 degrees for about 30 minutes or until deep golden brown

Take out and sprinkle the granola with nuts and dried fruit of your choice and put back in the oven for about 10 minutes.

Take out and let cool. It will be kind of soft and moist while hot, but gets crunchy as it cools. Transfer to a air tight container once cooled.

Goodies I used:

Cashews

Pistachios

Sunflower Seeds

Pepitas

Walnuts

Slivered almonds

Dried cranberries

I didn't measure out the nuts, but roughly chopped the walnuts, cashews, and pistachios, and left the seeds and pepitas whole. It was about a healthy handful of each. If you want a chunkier granola, go nuts with the nuts, or if you prefer more granola than nuts, just add less nuts. Duh!

This granola is great for snacking on, or adding to yogurt! Enjoy!!!

Sunday in the country

Water flowers, prune grapefruit tree, pick oranges and tangerines, pick plums, prune pears, pick lettuce, radishes, carrots, and strawberries, trim back rosemary and salvia, dead head roses, trap gophers, feed succulents, pick weeds in garden, read on the patio, squeeze oranges, freeze plums, make granola, prep lettuce wraps, juice last years frozen apples with spinach and carrots from the garden, turn the music up and eat fresh!!

Love this life!!!!