{"id":1275,"date":"2011-03-09T06:12:52","date_gmt":"2011-03-09T06:12:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/therealhousewife.com\/blog\/?p=1275"},"modified":"2011-05-11T14:00:07","modified_gmt":"2011-05-11T14:00:07","slug":"goin-granola","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/therealhousewife.com\/blog\/goin-granola\/","title":{"rendered":"Goin’ Granola"},"content":{"rendered":"

MORNINGS…<\/p>\n

I am a bear, a grump, a grouch in the morning…every morning! \u00a0 It’s not intentional.\u00a0 I know that every day is a blessing and I should rise from bed each glorious day singing praises to the Lord, but it just takes me a while to put on a happy face.\u00a0 The Proverbs 31 woman “gets up while it is still dark.” (vs 15), but I just can’t!<\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

One time, about a year ago we had a conversation that went like this:<\/p>\n

Preston: “Mama, you’re grumpy this morning.\u00a0 It’s because you stayed up too late, isn’t it?\u00a0 You stayed up too late because you’re nocturnal.”<\/p>\n

After a few moments of deep thought Lilly Katherine said, “Mama, why are you a turtle?”<\/p>\n

Oh, my confused little woman!\u00a0 She’s so funny!<\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

Anyway…MORNINGS…I don’t like them!\u00a0 My sweet hubby has learned not to talk to me in the morning.<\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

My kids HAVE NOT.<\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

Usually Brad gets the maniacs their milk and breakfast while I try to pretend it’s still nighttime.\u00a0 However, it often stresses Preston out if I’m still asleep at 7:20 and his lunch isn’t made yet.<\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

All that’s to say that I try to simplify mornings as much as possible.\u00a0 My kids often eat sugary, (bad) carb loaded cereal.\u00a0 They love “cim-a-non crunch” (cinnamon toast crunch) but i really would like their little bodies to get a healthier start.\u00a0 Granola bars are their favorite, but they’re expensive and they seem to be packed with more sugar than cereal.\u00a0 Soooo, I’ve been making my own granola bars, thanks to the inspiration from a sweet friend of mine, Jana,<\/a> and her wonderful healthy blog.<\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

These granola bars are so yummy and good for you, and they are so easy.\u00a0 Our whole family loves them, and you can change them to meet the desires of your fam.<\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

Goin’ Granola…Granola Bars<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

The full recipe is at the bottom.\u00a0 Here’s what you need:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Use 2 cups of whatever dried fruit\/nuts you want to use.\u00a0 In these granola bars, I used craisins, raisins, golden raisins, apricots, dates, and cherries (because that’s what I had in my pantry.)<\/p>\n

Cut the larger dried fruit or nuts into small pieces.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Then add the fruit and nuts of your choice.\u00a0 (Look at those sweet little hands in the background trying to “help” hold the bowl.)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Now look at that sweet little face saying, “Uh oh, Mama!”<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>I’ve learned that you must have patience when cooking with 3 children.\u00a0 Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t.\u00a0 AnnaLeigh was trying to stir the dry ingredients, and they got away from her.\u00a0 We all laughed!\u00a0 I don’t always laugh, but we really did have a good time making these granola bars.<\/p>\n

Make a well in the center of your dry ingredients.\u00a0 Add your remaining ingredients to the well.\u00a0 (Little trick…measure and add your oil first.\u00a0 Then measure your honey in the same measuring cup.\u00a0 The oil makes the honey slide right out of the cup.)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Stir to combine.\u00a0 Unless you have a magical stirring power that I don’t have, you will have to use your hands and sort-of knead it until it looks like this.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Put it in a greased pan or cookie sheet and press to the desired thickness.\u00a0 I like my granola bars to be thin and even, so I use wax paper to mash it down and spread it evenly.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Bake at 350\u00b0 for 15-20 minutes or until the edges start to brown.\u00a0 If you like crispier granola bars, bake them longer.\u00a0 I like them soft like a cookie!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Let them cool for about 5 minutes, but cut them while they are still warm.\u00a0 These were pretty large – perfect for Preston, but too large for the girls.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>After they have cooled completely, store them in an air tight container or wrap them individually.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I wrapped a few in wax paper, because we took a them to my sweet nieces and nephew.\u00a0 I usually just throw them in a zip-lock because I’m lazy!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

These really are wonderful, and I think they’re even better the second day.\u00a0 They keep well, but they don’t last long around here.<\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

Goin’ Granola – Granola Bars<\/strong><\/p>\n