Meatless Monday–Simple Honey Granola

Balance.  My 2012 resolution is one simple word.  Balance.  It’s not that I’m some wildly out of control person who is always flying by the seat of my pants–quite the opposite, actually.  I think just about anyone who knows me would describe me as very organized–a true type A.  I’d agree.  Being a type A and always wanting to do everything perfectly can take its toll on a person’s sense of balance.

I am loving every minute of my new job, but I’ve found it extremely difficult to find time to do the things that are important to me–deepen my understanding of my faith, provide the type of learning experience I want to for my students, cook, work out, and even relax every now and then.  Unfortunately, the working out has been squeezed out over the past several months.  I don’t look or feel the way I’d like.  I know I’m not as healthy as I should be.  So this year, I’m committing myself to finding a balance in my time so I can be the healthy, strong woman I need to be.

I’ve found a new gym with locations all over the city.  There is a location within a mile of my school, one less than ten minutes from my house, and a few in between.  No excuses there.  I’m also committing myself to finding healthier recipes with more whole, clean ingredients.  Recipes like this granola.  It’s packed with seeds, nuts, and dried fruit; the dried fruit gives me quick energy and the nuts and seeds give me a more sustained energy that lasts several hours.  I’ve been experimenting with various combinations of nuts and fruits and have yet to find a bad combination.  Sprinkled on top of my favorite plain yogurt, it makes for a perfectly balanced breakfast.

Simple Honey Granola

adapted from Nami Nami

Ingredients:

8 TBSP honey or maple syrup
4 TBSP olive or hazelnut oil (I’m sure others would work well.  These are the ones I’ve tried.)

4 TBSP water

3 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
1 c. nuts (walnuts, slivered almonds, and pecans all work well)
2 TBSP flax seeds
1 TBSP chia seeds

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 c. dried fruit 

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.  Pour honey, oil, and water in a microwaveable bowl.  Microwave for 30 seconds.  Remove and stir to combine.

2.  Meanwhile, mix oats, nuts, seeds, and cinnamon in a large bowl.  Pour the liquid mixture over
the oats and toss until everything is well combined.

3.  Spread on a baking sheet and cook about 30 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the oats are golden and slightly
crispy (they crisp up even more when cooling down). 

4.  Remove from the oven and fold in dried fruit.  Let cool completely in the pan.  Keep in an airtight container up to 1 week.