Tasty Granola Bars!

          Here is a tasty granola bar recipe! I found this recipe online, tweaked it a bit, and now I don't want to eat store bought granola bars again. I have decreased the sugar it originally called for, use wheat flour instead of white, and added some more ingredients to make it more tasty!
          This recipe is great because you can change it based one what you  like and what you have in the kitchen. For example, you can add nuts and chocolate if you want, or even melt chocolate and drizzle it over the bars.

Ingredients:
   2 cups oats
   1/2 cup packed brown sugar
   1/2 cup wheat germ
   1 heaping teaspoon ground cinnamon
   1 cup wheat flour
   1 heaping cup raisins and or craisins
   1/2 teaspoon salt
   1/2 cup honey
   1 egg
   1/2 cup canola oil
   2 teaspoons vanilla (I always add a little extra)
   2 tablespoons flax seed
   1/2 cup applesauce (this makes it chewy)
      Optional ingredients we like to add:
   sunflower seeds (or other nuts)
   coconut
   chocolate chips
 
   Preheat the oven to 350. Generously grease a 9x13 baking pan.
   In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, raisins, and salt. Make a well in the center and add the rest of the ingredients and mix with your hands. Pat the mixture evenly into the pan. I usually just cover 3/4 of the pan, otherwise I find the granola bars to be too thin.
   Bake for 30 - 35 minutes in the preheated oven until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes then cut while still warm.

          *Great tip! When you are measuring out honey for recipes, measure out the oil in the same cup if the recipe calls for oil (or coat the cup with oil). This way the honey slips right out and you have less of a mess!

Valentines

          Happy Valentines day!.... not like I actually believe that it is more than a Hallmark holiday. I believe you should love each other and do cute things for each other all the time. Besides, if it is a random act on a surprise day instead of a marked day, it is way more fun!

          However, I did break down and make something for my hubby with my extra time. In the past he has always asked me why I loved him, or if it was just because he was cute. Well, I came up with over 100 reasons I love him and I put them together for him. To my surprise he actually liked it, and he is not a man that just flatters for the ladies!

Healthy Pancakes!

          This is a recipe that I have fallen in love with! I found the recipie online and have switched a few things to make it better. It is healthy and delicious! I recommend this to everyone, whether you are in search of just a switch up from your old breakfast or changing to more healthier options. They are moist, have flavor, and you can always add chocolate chips which makes them the best ever!

          I recommend at least doubling the batch because otherwise this makes about 2 pancakes. 

Ingredients 

   1/3 cup whole wheat flour

   3 tablespoons oats

   1 tablespoons flaxseed

   1/2 teaspoon baking powder

   1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 

   1/8 teaspoon baking soda

   dash of salt

   1 egg

   1/2 cup buttermilk (I always use plain milk and it turns out fine)

   1 tablespoon brown sugar

   1 tablespoon canola oil

   1/2 teaspoon vanilla

   1 T wheat germ

   some applesauce to make pancakes more moist, approximately 2T - 1/4 cup

   CHOCOLATE CHIPS! (optional)

          You can always play around with the recipe so you can make it with what you have in your kitchen. Enjoy!

          Random Note: Whenever I think of pancakes, I think of "panclocks" from the movie 50 first dates!