Today’s Post
Back to Basics: Granola
This week, we’re talking about granola! If you were reading about a year ago, I was on a granola kick. There were bars, sticky bites, loose granola. It was crunchy, sticky, one burnt batch from not watching close enough, and some were fruity or full of good spices. We went through a lot of Quaker Oats!
Recently, I’d been thinking about granola again. I like it with breakfast, on top of yogurt for a snack, and I had a lot of raisins in my pantry.
I referred to my favorite recipe from last year and made some modifications based on what I had in the pantry. From the original recipe, I accidentally left out the brown sugar and didn’t notice in the taste. I don’t have flax meal in the pantry anymore, and I used more raisins instead of craisins. I also didn’t have almonds so I used more pecans and peanuts. Use what you have!
Oatmeal Raisin Granola
Ingredients:
- 2.5 C old-fashioned oats
- 3/4 C pecans, chopped
- 1/4 C unsalted peanuts
- 1/4 C sweetened coconut
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 C gold rainsins
- 1/2 C black raisins
- 1/4 C maple syrup
- 3 T applesauce
- 2 T smooth peanut butter
Instructions:
- Mix maple syrup, applesauce and peanut butter in a small pan on the stovetop and let simmer for 8-10 minutes over low heat. It will get thick and caramel-like. Don’t let it burn.
- Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl and add the wet to the dry once thickened.
- Pour on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
- Bake at 300* for 45 minutes, stirring every 12-15.**
- Cool for 20 minutes before eating.
For this batch, I actually had to take Lily for a walk while the granola was baking. She insisted. I turned the oven off at about 20 minutes and left the tray in. It was perfectly done when I got back. Just watch your batch so it doesn’t burn!
| Oatmeal Raisin Granola |
- Oatmeal Raisin Granola
- 2.5 C old-fashioned oats
- 3/4 C pecans, chopped
- 1/4 C unsalted peanuts
- 1/4 C sweetened coconut
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 C gold rainsins
- 1/2 C black raisins
- 1/4 C maple syrup
- 3 T applesauce
- 2 T smooth peanut butter
- Mix maple syrup, applesauce and peanut butter in a small pan on the stovetop and let simmer for 8-10 minutes over low heat. It will get thick and caramel-like. Don’t let it burn.
- Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl and add the wet to the dry once thickened.
- Pour on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
- Bake at 300* for 45 minutes, stirring every 12-15.**
- Cool for 20 minutes before eating.
My Pregnancy Journey: Week 33
Well it is Week 33 and I am just trucking along. January has been a crazy month, and it does seem to have gone by quickly. I can’t believe February will be our last month before some very major life changes! Originally, our February and March were left empty of plans to let the baby dictate what’s going on, and now we have lots happening and are curious when the baby will be making its appearance! And I think we are getting really excited to know if it’s a girl or boy!
Anyway, at Week 33, BabyCenter says the baby is over 4 pounds and 17 inches long and the size of a PINEAPPLE. While that sounds large, I know two fruits coming up that sound ridiculous–the pumpkin and watermelon. It really is amazing that a lentil can grow to a watermelon.
This week, I have been a little more uncomfortable, but I’ve still been sleeping pretty good (except for Tuesday night when I was pretty much up from 12-4 because Lily the dog sensed a storm brewing). I wake up every two hours or so, am sometimes awake for a long time in the middle of the night, but do go back to sleep. I still feel good during the day, and still have spent quality time in the kitchen. I am getting some major kicks and rolls, and they are actually the most profound while I’m sleeping. It wakes me and then I’m awake while the baby has a dance party. It’s pretty bazaar.
Last Saturday, we took our second baby prep class called Prepared Childbirth. It was the longest of all the classes–7 hours! It was educational and ended with a tour of the labor and delivery floor, and it was also nice to get a little more familiar with the hospital. I think we both have a better idea of the series of events of labor and delivery.
I also had a doctor’s appointment yesterday. Everything is looking good and sounding good, and I’ll be back again in two weeks, and then every week after that.
Here are a few notable stats:
- Total weight gain: 23 lbs
- Weeks to go: 4-7 (hopefully in that range!)
- Days until my shower: 9
- Baby furniture in the house: none, but it’s in Houston
- Average time I fall asleep: 9:30 p.m.
- Currently wondering: if it’s a girl or boy, and if we’ll get moved before the baby comes or not!
Here’s hoping that the final 4-7 weeks are as easy as the first 33!
Earlier Posts This Week
Homemade Veggie Burgers
Trying to make a veggie burger from scratch has been on my to-cook list for months. I … [Read More...]
Maternity Fashion
Now that I am over the cute stage of pregnancy and into the "how much longer?" phase, I thought I'd … [Read More...]
We Tried Chicken Again
If you are like our house, you are always looking for a better way to cook chicken. I am not much of … [Read More...]
Week 32: My Pregnancy Journey
Welcome to Week 32! If you're counting in months, that makes it 8 months of 10. If you're counting … [Read More...]
Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge
On Sunday, we had some friends over to watch football. I wanted to make a sweet treat for the noon … [Read More...]
Happy birthday to Lily
Happy birthday to Lily! She is TWO today! When Lily came home in March 2010, she looked like … [Read More...]
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