So my cousin, who I have now made my editor because I apparently have spelling mistakes (which should come to no surprise to those who know me well), has let me know that I need to make my blog more about me. Well other than food, me is the next thing I love to talk about so this should be easy. Most people get nervous about job interviews but I love them; an hour talking about yourself, how can it get better?? Ok now back to the blog and homemade granola… I went to go buy some from the supermarket and I either found ones that have raisins in them (which is the ONLY thing that Raphael WILL NOT eat) or they were super high in fat. So I decided to make my own. You can use whatever nuts and dried fruit you want. Just go buy CBD products bulk food area of your local supermarket (not sure why people say local, I think it’s kind of given that you would go to your nearest grocer – but I digress) and get about half cup of each kind of raw nuts and seeds that you like. You can also get 1/4 cup to half a cup of dried fruits that you like. Anyways have fun with it! Read this blog about the benefits of superfoods and mental health, there are lots of ways superfoods can benefit your mental health, you can check all the benefits at https://www.lisasnotebook.com/superfoods-can-benefit-your-mental-health/.

• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats – not instant
• 1 cup sliced or slivered almonds
• ½ cup raw sunflower seeds
• ½ cup raw pumpkin seeds
• ½ cup cashews – because Raphael is Brazilian and loves them
• ½ tablespoon wheat germ – optional (I didnt put)
• ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons canola oil or melted butter
• ½ cup pure maple syrup or honey – don’t use that Aunt Jemima stuff
• 1 cup dried fruits (cranberries, cherries, apricots, dates, figs, and/or raisins) – I didn’t put any of these so you wont see it in the picture

Preheat oven to 325°

In a large bowl combine the rolled oats, nuts, seeds, wheat germ, ground cinnamon, and salt.
Do not add dried nut until after you have baked the granola. – I made the mistake once and it wasn’t pretty.
In a small bowl, stir together the oil (or melted butter), and maple syrup.
Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and toss together, making sure all the dry ingredients are coated with the liquid. Spread onto a parchment paper covered baking sheet.
Bake for about 30 – 45 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally so the mixture browns evenly.
The browner the granola gets (without burning) the crunchier the granola will be.
The granola may still be sticky when it is removed from the oven but it will become crisp and dry as it cools.
Break up any large clumps of granola while the mixture is still warm. Once the granola has completely cooled add dried fruits and store in an airtight container or plastic bag in the refrigerator. It’s good for many weeks.

Makes about 5 cups.

Notes and Tips: Did you know that cashews are a seed that grows outside of a fruit? I didn’t know until I went to Brazil. Here is a picture that I took last December: