Your Own Granola

Ok, so Granola at the store is expensive and is so high in sugar and other stuff, its really not good for you anymore.  So, I made my own - and you can too!  This is my combination of things we like, however you really can put any type of nut, seed, or flavoring you like.  If you aren't a nutmeg fan for example, switch it out with pumpkin pie spice or just add more cinnamon.  Walnuts may be your thing rather than pecans..or macadamia nuts.  The goal is to make it your own, make it healthy, and save yourself from the expensive stuff at the store!

Ingredients:
3 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 cup slivered almonds (or other nut)
1/2 cup chopped pecans (or other nut)
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (or pumpkin pie spice)
1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons canola oil
rind of one medium orange as zest
juice of 1/2 fresh medium orange

Preheat oven to 250 degrees; spray down a large cookie sheet with non-stick spray.  Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and combine all the wet ingredients in a small bowl.  Whisk the wet ingredients until all blended then pour over the dry mixing to cover all the dry.  Spread it all out on the cookie sheet evenly then put it in the oven for 1 hr 30 minutes - no more than 2 hours.  Check on it about every 15-20 minutes and stir it with a spatula to not have any of the edges burn.  When its brown, transfer it all to a cool cookie sheet to crisp up and cool down.  This has to be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

I did the nutritional calculation - if you divide the whole pan up by 10 servings, there are 327 calories per serving, 13.6 grams of fat, 47 grams of carbohydrate, 8 grams of protein, 0% cholesterol, and 6 grams of dietary fiber.  I would recommend using vanilla soy milk on this to boost the protein; of course if you are lactose intolerant, that is optimal also.

I adapted this recipe from a great new website I found - www.wellvegan.com.