Homemade Granola

I haven't posted a recipe and I figured it was about time again!

Kyler loves granola. I had never had it before I met him, but at one point I bought him some for Christmas and I got a little taste and it was some good stuff! Unfortunately it cost a TON for a small amount so we figured it'd be something just for special occasions. However, Kyler found a great homemade recipe and after I switched it up a bit, it's become a staple in our pantry. Let me note here that this is not necessarily a healthy recipe. It's a delicious, easy and cheap recipe, but it's not healthy. :)(although you can make it healthier- see recipe for details.) 

When I make it, I times the recipe by 5 and make enough to fit inside a 5 gallon bucket which lasts us for a few months. We love us some granola. :)

Alrighty- enough intro- here's the recipe!

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3 cups quick oats

3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 

1 1/2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons maple syrup (hence the unhealthy part. You can just skip this part and do 1/3 cup of honey overall to make it healthier. The syrup is just yummy and cheaper.) 

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions: 

1. Pre-heat oven to 300°F.

2. Mix oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl; set aside.

3. Mix the honey, syrup, oil, and vanilla in a small bowl. Pour over the oat mixture and mix until the oats are completely coated.

4. Spread the mixture in an even layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, then stir and continue baking until the granola is a light golden brown, about 5 to 15 minutes more.

5. Place the baking sheet on a wire rack and cool the granola for at least 20 minutes before serving or storing. (Note: It will harden as it cools.)

And there you have it- Delicious granola to munch on!  

Peanut Butter and Jelly Toast

Okay, so technically this isn't really a recipe, but it is a delcious idea that I grew up with in my home and I wanted to tell the world about it. :) I was always shocked as a kid when I'd tell my friends about pb&j toast and they looked at me like I had 3 heads. Sure, they had pb&j sandwiches, but toast? Maybe you already do it, but seriously, for some reason eating a pb&j that has been toasted is just too good to be true. And it's the easiest thing ever. :) 

It has become a favorite breakfast item for me since having Henry, mainly because of the peanut butter! Peanut butter has the good kind of fat that beefs up your breast milk and keeps your baby feeling full. Plus it's delicious so... it's a win. :) 

Well, that's that. Don't delay folks! Go toast your bread, spread on some peanut butter (I like to do it right after the toast pops up so that it gets melty and warm... yum) and then some jelly, and enjoy that heavenly deliciousness you created in under 3 minutes. :) 

It's so delicious I literally had to take a bite right away even though I wasn't done taking pictures. :)