Welcome and Blessings!

Thank you so much for stopping by! I have named this blog "Running to the Cross" because that is what I often find myself doing...running to be with my Lord Jesus! I often cover many aspects of life on my blog, as it is my journal. I used to write things down in all sorts of notebooks, but my writings would soon be lost. So I decided that it was time to start a blog and share my thoughts and ideas with others. Many topics you will find here are prayers, homemaking and organization, children and pregnancy, funny stories, and the challenges of parenting and motherhood. If you enjoy my blog and leave me a comment, you are likely to have me visit! I love meeting others and gleaning from the lives of others. May you be blessed! Your friend in Christ, Heather

Saturday, March 3, 2007

Homemade Granola

This granola is one that uses no sugar, only honey to sweeten. It is great with yogurt (especially homemade) and fruit. It is also great as a cereal, but don't take too much, it will fill you up quickly! If you are one that likes to eat your sweets in the morning, this is for you! However, even though you may think that you are eating your sweets, it is highly nutritious and cleansing for your system! One batch usually fills a 5-quart ice cream container.

1 cup canola or olive oil (or oil of your choice)
1 1/2- 2 cups honey or pure maple syrup (depending on how sweet you like it)
6 cups rolled oats (or old fashioned, if you don't have them quick oats will do)
1-2 cups unsweetened coconut
1 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup flax seeds (whole)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-2 teaspoons cinnamon (more or less according to your preferences)
Optional: 1 cup steel cut oats (for a different texture)

Preheat oven to 300° F. Combine dry ingredients together in a very large bowl (the lid for a rubbermaid cake carrier works well, also). Mix honey and oil together. Heating the oil and honey slightly in the microwave may help it to blend more easily. Add honey and oil mixture to oat mixture. Mix well. Spread granola mixture out over 2-3 cookie sheets (it may take more).

Bake granola in a 300° F oven, stirring every 10 minutes. Set your timer, it will burn quickly if it is not stirred regularly. It will take 1 -1 1/2 hours for it to bake. When the mixture is golden brown (it will ALL be the same color) then it is done. Remove from oven and allow to cool on cookie sheets. When cool, transfer it to airtight container(s). You can add your favorite dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, dried cherries, dried currents, etc.) or leave it plain.

If you do not have an ingredient on the list, (i.e.: coconut, flax seeds, sunflower seeds) don't fret, you can still make it, just leave those ingredients out & add an extra cup of oats. Sesame seeds can also replace the flax seeds or be added to the mixture.

Blessings!
Heather

4 comments:

Ashley said...

This is the third comment I've written and I realize that I'm probably getting really annoying but I have a question about the recipe. I don't want to use the flax seeds and you say I can just use an extra cup of oats instead but I do want to use the steel cut oats so can the steel cut oats take the place of the extra cup of oats that replaces the flax seed or do I still need that extra cup in addition? Sorry if this seems confusing.

runningtothecross said...

Not annoying at all, I am resting from the dinner hour.

In regards to the flax seed, if you don't want to use them, just leave them out. It won't change anything, just the amount of fiber. The recipe is just a basic recipe anyway, you can add or take away as you like. I have a friend that uses nuts instead, but since we have so many little ones here, I avoid nuts.

Thanks for reading!
Blessings!
Heather

runningtothecross said...

You can replace the flax with the steel cut oats, you may find that you want to add a little more honey to the mix depending on how much steel cut oats you use. (i.e. 6 cups regular oats, 1 cup steel cut oats, 1 2/3 cup honey OR 5 cups regular oats, 2 cups steel cut oats, 1 2/3 cups honey OR 5 cups regular oats, 1 1/2 cups steel cut oats, 1 1/2 cups honey). Confusing yet?!!! I can keep going. ;o)

Keep the questions coming!
Glad to answer!
Heather

Ashley said...

Thank you for explaining that to me.