Eat Gold

In my parents home there are two foods my mother has always referred to as gold. One is Hershey's dark chocolate and the other is home-made granola. My mother made home-made granola for our weekday breakfasts as we were growing up. At the time, I took it for granted, but once I went to college, I found myself longing for the substantial, nutritious, comfort of granola. 

Granola is high in nutritive value including fiber, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Today, I make myself granola bars for my daily breakfast. They are a quick, nutritious meal I can grab and eat on busy mornings. I don't need any utensils to eat them and they don't take the time to chow down like as a bowl of cereal. The high protein content of granola keeps me from getting hungry for the rest of the morning. To me, home-made  granola is the perfect food It is truly high quality-like gold. I do stress "home-made" granola because store bought granola is often loaded with fats and sugars that are counterproductive to human health. 

My Home-Made Granola contains:

OATS

1. Fibers (lower cholesterol, cause weight loss, aid in digestion)
2. Vitamin E (needed by the skin and heart)
3. Fibers and Complex Carbohydrates (naturally absorbed by the body-slow absorption-decreasing risk of high blood sugar and diabetes)
4. Phytochemicals or plant chemicals (good for hormonal balance and decrease risk of breast, prostate, and ovarian cancer)
5. Protein (higher than other cereals keeping hunger at bay-strengthening muscles)
6. Vitamins and Minerals (B vitamins, Zinc, Iron, Copper--many prevent illness and aid in faster healing) 

WHEAT GERM

1. Complex Carbohydrates (energy)
2. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids (vital to the heart and lungs)
3. B and E Vitamins
4. Calcium-(needed by bones)
5. Fiber
6. Protein-repairs and replaces body cells

WHEAT BRAN

1. Iron (Blood sustenance and production)
2. Fiber
3. Complex Carbohydrates
4. Magnesium and Phosphorus (muscles and energy)

HONEY (Raw and Local)

1. Antioxidants-release bad cells
2. Antibacterial-prevent illness
3. Antihistamine-reduce airborne plant allergies and hay fever

CANOLA OIL 

The healthiest cooking oil because it is the lowest in saturated fats and has a high content of Omeg 3 and 6 fatty acids

DRIED FRUIT

Not as healthy as fresh fruit, but higher in antioxidants

NUTS
All of the Above

Rebecca's Home-Made Granola Recipe 
This smells absolutely divine while being cooked!
 
5 cups rolled oats
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup wheat bran

2 cups shredded coconut
1 cup canola oil
1 1/2 cups honey
1 cup raisins
1 cup dried cranberries
1 T Vanilla extract
1 T Almond extract

Preheat the oven to 325
Stir together the oats, almonds, walnuts, pecans, wheat germ,and coconut. Heat honey and oil together, cooking and stirring until blended-do not boil. Mix extracts into the oil and honey. Pour over the oat mixture, and stir to coat evenly. Spread out in 2 ungreased 13x9 pans.

Bake for 20-30 minutes in the preheated oven, until the oats and nuts are toasted. Stir every 10 minutes. Immediately after it comes out of the oven, stir in the raisins and dried cranberries. Let stand until cooled, and stir again to break up any large clusters. Store in an airtight container.


Rebecca's Favorite Granola Bars
This is one of several recipes that have used-but so far I like it the best. It is a Taste of Home recipe.

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1-1/4 cups crisp rice cereal
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup raisins or semisweet chocolate chips, optional

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the honey, vanilla and egg; mix well. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in oats, cereal and nuts and raisins or chocolate chips if desired.
Press into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until the top is lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

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