Chewy Granola Bars

This recipe hits it out of the park....When enjoying these, I have to remind myself that they are healthy!  Truly a treat and an indulgent one at that!!!!

THIS RECIPE AGAIN PROOVES THAT HEALTHY CAN BE VERY YUMMY!!!! 


I chose to use my homemade granola in place of the nut mixture to incorporate the crispiness of the baked granola.  Also I used olive oil in this recipe because I find coconut oil to be a strong flavor.  I am thrilled however to have finally found a granola recipe that pleases my man clan. 

Combine in small sauce pan. Heat until pourable. Do not boil.
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup olive oil
2/3 cup local honey
1 cup natural peanut butter or almond butter


Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2 cups quick oats
1 cup (total) of your choice sunflower seeds, flax seeds, dried fruit bits, carob chips
(I use 1 cup of my homemade granola)
1 cup organic brown rice cereal crisps
(Erewhon Organic Crispy Brown Rice found in organic food section at Walmart)
1/8 -1/4 cup carob chips (optional)


Pour honey, oil and PB mixture over oat mixture and combine well...refrain from eating it by the spoonful warm...Soooo delic!  The best decription yet is..."it is like the combination of a peanut butter rice crispy treat and a granola bar."
My inspiration for this recipe came from Laura at Heavenly Homemakers....

Green Chile Rice

Green Chile Rice

I must give credit where credit is due!  This originated from Home Based Mom's blog.  She has some wonderful recipes!

This has got to be the most delicious rice dish I have ever eaten!  I took it up a notch and make it with brown rice and no one turns it down!

Here goes my version of Chile Green Rice:

1 cup of brown rice (I have been amazed at the difference in texture organic brown rice possesses!)
2 cups of chicken stock (store bought or home made)
1 cup water
4 oz can of green chilies
1 small onion
1/3 - 1/2 cup cilantro
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cumin
3 green onions

I chop all the onions, chilies, cilantro and seasoning in the food processor....so its all flavor and picky kiddos can't drive me crazy by picking out every last onion at the dinner table:-)  Just telling you, there are no complaints with this at the dinner table!  I promise!  I have just endured the onion picking ritual too many times to give them the chance again!
So, put 2 cups of chicken stock, 1 cup of water, rice and chile/cilantro/onion  mixture in the pan and give it a stir....cover with foil or the lovely invention...a SILPAT.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until the rice is tender.


LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!!!

Sweet Potato, Apple and Cranberry

A friend brought this to church as a fellowship side dish.
I had to have the recipe!  This presents so many opportunities from pie filling, a delicious topping on waffles, wonderful companion to vanilla yogurt....to name a few....

It is such a healthy treat!

I must admit with my family...I can never make a single batch....usually I am making this x4 or x8!  I love having it "left over" so I can get creative with it.


1 lg sweet potato, diced

1 lg apple, diced
1/4 -1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 TBS butter melted
1 TBS maple syrup or honey (orig recipe called for brown sugar)
pinch of salt
1/2 - 3/4 tsp cinnamon

Bake covered @ 375 until tender.

or....the original recipe said to just microwave it covered for 8-9 minutes if you don't feel like heating the kitchen;-)

Oatmeal Flour

Many years ago, I was well above my ideal weight. My Doctor ordered me to avoid processed food, including white flour. When one is initially handed a "diet" it can be such an emotional moment. The diet seemed so restrictive.

These pancakes provided for us a healthy sweet breakfast treat. I suggest topping these with banana slices, sprinkles of cinnamon, and drizzled with warm honey. The children like these with real maple syrup. A simple, quick on-the-go option would be two of these with fruit-sweetened jam or jelly and/or peanut butter.

These are made from quick oats that I have ground into flour in my blender (a relic Vita Mix).
When I first started making these and my oatmeal waffles, I would just grind what I needed at the moment in a little ($10) food chopper. These dietary changes have me using oatmeal flour often so I keep a large oatmeal canister full of oat flour.