It’s been a whirlwind of a week. I recently lost my job. I’m struggling with how my identity is tied to that and the money I make. All big things I need to work to over come. Maybe it’s time for something new. I’m not 100% sure, but I have some ideas. Here’s to the future and whatever it may hold.

I had been eating granola for breakfast and during work meetings. It’s not really cheap when you buy it from the store. I figured it couldn’t be too hard to make. I was really shocked by how easy it is to make. You just basically mix the ingredients together, spread on a pan, and then pop it into the oven. Not only is it shocking at how easy it is to make, but it’s endlessly customizable. Choose whatever nuts you want, other flavorings, mix it all up, and bam you have something new.

The essentials for granola are oats and then a few things to hold it together and give it some sweetness. Then you need a bit of oil. You can use maple syrup or honey as your sweetener. If that’s not sweet enough you can always add granulated or brown sugar. Then for your oil you have options! Coconut oil, vegetable oil, or butter all work well. The oil/fat helps crisp up the granola and hold everything together. Besides that everything else is up to you. Dried cranberries, or blue berries, or may just raisins instead. (Add the fruit after it’s baked to avoid burning it). Do you want pumpkin spiced granola? Change up the spices. How about apple cinnamon. Boom! Done! If you don’t like almonds switch them out for pumpkin seeds or cashews.

As if granola isn’t customizable enough you can eat it however you want. What about popping it into some pancakes? Eat it over yogurt. Pop it into a bowl of milk. Are you on the go? Just eat it right from the bag.

Ingredients

• 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar

• 1/4 Cup Maple Syrup

• 1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil

• 1 teaspoon Vanilla

• 3 Cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

• 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon Salt

• 1/2 Cup chopped Pecans

• 1/2 Cup slivered Almonds

• 3/4 Cup dried Cranberries

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees

2. In a large bowl mix the oats, cinnamon, salt, pecans, and almonds

3. In a small container mix the oil, maple syrup, vanilla, and brown sugar until the brown sugar is dissolved

4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir to evenly coat everything

5. Spread on a parchment lined sheet pan

6. Bake for 25 - 30 mins

7. Cool on the pan for at least 45 minutes

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