Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Homemade Granola

Hey Guys!  I can't believe how fast the week is flying!  I hope you are doing well!
I really enjoyed the discussion you guys had on my last post.  I think it depends on our blogging styles, but most of us seem to enjoy life and even embrace the imperfect. If you want to read a really inspiring post, Amanda did a really great one on Tuesday.

Today was spent doing my work thang and not much else!  I got in a random salad for lunch:


I had a random clean-the-fridge combo of spinach, broccoli slaw, apples, parsley, cucumbers, tomatoes, hardboiled egg, black olives and mustard. Perfectly crazy and perfectly satisfying!

When I got home from work, I knew I wanted to make some homemade granola. This could be a potentially dangerous experiment because I can't ever control myself around granola, but I would rather eat my own less junky one than one from the store. Here is my take on granola:


Mango Chia Pumpkin Spice Granola:
- 4 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1/2 cup Trader Joe's dried berry mix
- 2 Tbsp Maple Agave Syrup
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1/4 cup natural mango juice (I used Naked juice)
- Shake of pumpkin spice
- Dash of unsweetened cocoa

Mix all the wet and dry ingredients, spread on a prepared cookie sheet (I used wax paper and a little spray) and bake in the oven for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. I'll have to let you know how it is when I try it but it smelled like heaven!

I'm making this another quickie because it's 9:10 PM and I'm still trying to digest my dinner so that I can get to the gym for some cardio and to torture another body part or two with weights. Please don't ask me to explain, I have no logic and I'm not sure what I'll be doing when I get home all hyper and stuff- guess I'll figure that part out later!

Question for you: Do you like granola? What are the foods that challenge your portion control skills?


Mine are granola, CHOCOLATE, any kind of good cereal, and burritos. True story- once I start eating a giant burrito, I can't stop!

16 comments:

lynn @ the actors diet said...

giant burritos are definitely difficult to stop eating. i usually cut 'em in half and have a side salad/piece of fruit to keep me from feeling like i've overdone it.

Jessica @ How Sweet said...

I love granola! Like you, I have a hard time stopping. Also on that list: Stacys pita chips, cereal, and bite size candies.

Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said...

Ahhh, granola and cereal are HUGE portion-control weaknesses of mine. Yours looks mighty tasty!

Anonymous said...

I love granola! It's so good!

Anonymous said...

hey girl!!
ahhh love your salads! they are so colorful! im not a big granola chica!

Gabriela said...

Love granola! TRAIL MIX and NUTS are my biggest portion control issue...anything with a lot of little pieces to pick at is just inviting trouble!

Happy hump day :)

Katie ♥ said...

Awwwwwwwwwww thanks for the sweet comment love!!! Im glad you stopped by to say hello! I know your super busy!!!

Ahhhhhhh yes cocopops and I are getting married, my fiance better not find out! lol!

Loving the granola you made, little miss cook!!

Cereal I can not control my portions and salsa and chips!!!

Mari said...

Hey honey!!!! I miss you!

Yums I never tried making my own granola but I think you may have inspired me to give it a try OR you can just make some and ship it to me ha

fittingbackin said...

I've never been a big granola fan - I hear it's the bomb it's just not for me I guess! I have a hard time stopping period. Whether it's french fries and M&Ms or air-popped popcorn and cucumbers!

Katie said...

Hey girl! I love granola- I have 2/3 cup every morning with my greek yogurt. I have a tough time limiting myself when there is a big brick of cheese, chips and guacamole and yeah, wine. Good stuff :)

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

I like granola, but it is definitely NOT something that challenges my portion control. I would say that chips (usually at a party or something) and appetizer food like guacamole, or jalapeno poppers etc. challenge my portion control skills!

Bitty Babushka said...

For me it's butter pretzels, salsa with tortilla chips and wine. True story. Once the wine is open, I have a hard time stopping. Especially on a Friday night after a long week of work...work...work... :)

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said...

love that you used mango in there! sounds deliiiicious!

Katie ♥ said...

Hey lover!!!!!!!!

I hope you are doing great!!!!! Yeah didnt eat the whole box of greens plus bars, lol!!!

Hope your weekend is great!!!!! Any fun plans? My friends from back home, 3 of them , are coming to stay with me tonight and we are going out, should be fun!

love ya!!!!

Gina; The Candid RD said...

Yum, great granola recipe! I do love to make my own granola, and I really NEVER buy it (so much more expensive and filled with sugar). I make a recipe that doesn't involve cooking, and which I can eat on my FODMAPS (basically low fructose) IBS diet. I use molasses instead of honey or agave, and I also use oats, tonsof peanut butter, Cheerios, and walnuts. It's so good, even Nick can't get enough!

The Healthy Apple said...

Great recipe; thank you for sharing...I love granola...and it's fabulous when it's homemade! Great almond salad, as well.