The Life of a Future Homemaker...

I finally took a trip to the grocery store today, after a week of being back in school... I had to take last week to re-settle into my environment... and tonight was the first time I had time to run to Trader's before they closed. So I did a massive shopping trip today, but made sure to get ingredients for some new recipes. Except, the one lesson I learned was to never assume that certain ingredients still remain in your pantry, because I got home tonight planning to make muffins, but woops, no flour. Instead I made enough granola to sink a ship and some trail mix... yes I'm developing some motherly traits early, packing homemade lunches to provide more nutrients in every bite... except I'm just feeding myself instead of a gaggle of children (thankfully... I'm so not ready for kids yet).

Cook Yourself Thin's Homemade Granola

5 cups jumbo rolled oats
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup runny honey (add more if too dry)
1/4 cup dried cherries (I didn't add them)
1/4 cup dried cranberries
(doubled this to make up for the cherries)
1 cup barley flakes/rye flakes (optional)
1/2 cup flaxseed (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper cut to size. Place the oats, almonds, sunflower seeds & salt onto the baking sheet and place in over for 10 mins. Dip your measuring cup into hot water & remove (empty) and measure out the honey (this is so the honey is able to pour). Run the warm honey over the hot granola and give a good stir to coat evenly. Return pan to the oven for the final 30 minutes. Toss the ingredients halfway through their cooking time in order to cook evenly. Remove from oven and add the dried berries, flaxseed, cinnamon, and barely or rye flakes (if using). Cool well before storing or it will lose it's crunch. (Makes about 15 breakfasts - so this will last me a while)


Then with the leftover ingredients I created my own trail mix...

Cait's Trail Mix

1 1/2 cups peanuts
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup sunflower seeds (raw/unsalted)
1/3 cup almonds (sliced)
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1 bag plain m&m's

I was able to split the trail mix up evenly into four separate zip lock baggies to make a perfect snack for school... and it's easy to grab when I'm running late in the morning since it's "pre-packaged."

***Remember to reuse your plastic baggies, especially if the don't get dirty because otherwise it'll generate more waste to pile up in our landfills!***