Granola project

The Pipe Cleaner with Drano Affect

This is most effective when eaten as the last meal of the day. One and a half cups with almond milk a couple of hours before you sleep should make you happy. 

Ingredients are replaceable = foundation recipe provided:
Dry Ingredients:

• 4 C Raw Oats
• 3 C Mixed Nuts / Flax Seed / etc.
• 2 TBSP Ground Cinnamon
• 1 C Dried Fruit

Wet Ingredients:

• 1/4 C Coconut Oil
• 1/4 C Honey
• 1/2 C Maple Syrup
• 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• (Optional) 1 C Peanut Butter

Technique:
1. Mix all dry ingredients except for the dried fruit in a massive bowl
2. Add all the wet ingredients in a small pot and mix at VERY LOW heat until fully combined and melted
3. Preheat oven @ 350 F / 175 C
4. Combine Wet + Dry Ingredients - mix well. 
5. Spread mixture on large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Foil is okay, also. 
6. Cook for 12 minutes.
7. Remove from oven. (Optional: Add Chai Seeds) Turn granola with spatula. 
8. Cook for 12 minutes. 
9. Remove from oven. Add dry fruit, mix and let stand for 1 hour. 

The Purpose

I found an easy way to clean your system, reduce toilet paper and satisfy midnight cravings : homemade granola. It's high in fiber - keeping everything together on the way out - and when you pair it with a cup of almond milk - everything should flow right through.  I've become quite particular about my granola and my favorite at Whole Foods is way too expensive for me to stock 2 bags a week.
This is one of the simplest things you'll ever make - and the kids will be incentivized by adding their own touch to the recipe.  

The Details

Experiment with the ratio of oats, nuts & seeds, and dried fruit. You can research the best ingredients to compliment your health. Personally, I'm more about texture and flavor aftertaste - but discover your own passion and purpose. 
My favorites: Pine nuts, walnuts, flax seed, steel cut oats (adds a crunch - like the old Grapenut cereal), banana chips, dried apricots, dried cranberries, raisins, sliced and whole almonds, and Chai seeds (should be added mid-way or at the end to avoid moisture exposure - which will cause the seeds to expand). 

The Economy of Scale (...and no wage liability)

My favorite bag of store bought granola is at Whole Foods - Kind Peanut Butter something. It costs $6 bucks a bag - I can devour 2 a week. $12 / week becomes $48 / month on granola. Absurd. Go to Costco, Smart & Final or the Mexican Grocery Store and get ingredients in bulk. The total costs should run you, max $40. And that should be good for a couple of months. You can cut your cost by 5x and save time from going shopping since it only takes 30 minutes to make.