Weekday Routines

I found something that I consistently like to eat for breakfast on the weekdays. It's become my routine. Every morning I have my homemade Granola. Here is another recipe where I deviate from worrying about calories and focus more on health and satisfaction but it seems to be working. Granola is something we are always told to stay away from because it isn't a diet food. Well, I am not on a diet, I don't believe in diets, I believe in eating well, being sensible and reducing my portions. The basic recipe for this granola came from a book but I added spices and every nut/grain that I thought would work. The result is very healthy and really delicious. I have 2/3 of a Cup every morning with 2% milk. That doesn't sound like a lot but the whole grains keep me fine until lunch. The recipe looks overwhelming with all the ingredients but once you have them in the house it's easy to prepare. I just get out a big bowl and start dumping the dry ingredients in. Then I use a glass measuring cup for the honey, heat it up in the microwave to make it easier to mix and add the vanilla and oil. To me, it's worth the time to get these grains and nuts in my diet with something that tastes this good and it isn't adding any weight to me.

Nighthawk's Granola

Basic recipe from Fred Rohe’s book:

“The Complete Book of Natural Foods”, then embellished by me.

6 cups Oatmeal                       ¾ C Flax Seed

1 ¼ C sunflower seeds            ¾ C Oat Bran

¾ C sesame seeds                   1 ¼ C Almonds chopped

¾ C Wheat Germ                    1 ½ tsp Cinnamon

½ C Wheat Bran (opt.)           1 tsp Coriander

½ tsp Nutmeg                          1 tsp Cardamom

½ tsp Allspice                         1tsp Dried Orange Peel (opt.)    

½ C veg oil                              1 ¼ C Honey, Molasses or Maple Syrup

1 tsp Sesame Oil                       or Combo (I use ALL Honey)

3 tsp Vanilla extract

In a big Bowl combine all the dry ingredients and stir well.

Mix the liquids together and pour over dry, mixing well. 

Spread on cookie sheets sprayed with oil, and roast in over 325 degrees

(no hotter) stirring often (about every 10 minutes or so) to

roast evenly. Remove when a golden brown (about 20 to 30 min.)

Allow to cool before storing. May add raisins or

other dried fruit when cool, I don’t.