Sugar Free Granola

A few months back we started making our own granola.  I found a recipe for it in a book we checked out at the library.  I can't recall the exact name of the book.  The recipe was great and we loved the results but over the past few weeks I've been thinking a lot about our sugar intake.  While I think it's a little less than the typical family it is still probably too high.  So I'm taking deliberate steps to cut back on the sweet stuff.  The original recipe called for 1/4 cup of brown sugar, as well as honey.  For the first time today I omitted the sugar and increased the honey to see how it would turn out and we love it!!  Yes, it's noticeably not as sweet as before but still pretty sweet thanks to the increase in honey.  Here's my modified recipe.  Oh, I also added a little wheat germ, which I try to put into practically everything!

Sugar Free Granola

Dry Ingredients:

3 c. rolled oats

1 c. sliced almonds or other nuts

½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg

1 tsp wheat germ

Liquid Ingredients:

1/3 c vegetable oil

½ c honey

1 tsp vanilla

½ cup raisins (or other dried fruit)

Kitchen Supplies:

Large mixing bowl

Small mixing bowl

Jellyroll pan (or cookie sheet)

·      Heat oven to 300 degrees F.

·      In a large bowl combine dry ingredients: rolled oats, nuts, cinnamon, nutmeg and wheat germ.  Mix well.

·      In a small bowl combine liquid ingredients: vegetable oil, honey and vanilla.  Stir to combine.

·      Pour liquid ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients.  Stir until well coated. 

·      Spread the mixture on a cookie sheet.  Bake for 20-25 minutes.  Every 5 minutes or so, carefully slide sheet out of oven and stir the mixture, to ensure even baking.  Make sure to wear your oven mitts.

·      Allow mixture to cool on sheet and add dried fruit.  Store in a sealable container.  

TIPS:

·      Watch the color of your mixture as it bakes.  Once it starts to turn slightly brown it will become golden very quickly and then burned if you wait too long.  The 20-25 baking time is only a guideline.  I find that my gas oven seems to be hotter so I generally pull the granola out a little shy of 20 minutes. 

·      I’m not a raisin fan but my kids are so I omit the raisins until it comes to serving time.  I like to set out a variety of dried or dehydrated fruit so everyone gets a little of what they like.

·      We usually eat this granola by the handful as snack or with milk/yogurt for breakfast.  

Smashed Potatoes - Tutorial

I love making these smashed potatoes for special occasions, or just because.  They're easy, fun and super tasty!  Try them yourself.

Ingredients/Tools:

Red potatoes (about 2-3 per person)

Olive oil

salt

pepper

food scraper

baking sheet

plastic Zip-lock bags

Step 1:

Wash your potatoes and cook until soft.  I put 2-3 in a quart bag and microwave for 4-5 minutes.  You want them to be soft enough to squash easily.  You could also boil or bake them but keep in mind that will take longer.   While your potatoes cook grease or line your baking sheet with foil and preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2:

After allowing your potatoes to cool a bit, set them on a flat surface.  I use a cutting board.  With your food scraper flatten the potatoes to about a half inch.  Try to flatten all to about the same width.   Brush the flattened potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3:

Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes.

There are lots of opportunities for your kids to get involved in this side dish.  Let them wash the potatoes.  Allow them to place them in the plastic bag or drop them into the pot for boiling (before it starts to boil, of course.)  If they can safely reach the microwave, tell them which numbers to punch in and press start.  If the potatoes are cool enough let them try to smash them.  My kids favorite thing to do is to sprinkle the kosher salt and twist the pepper mill.  Serve as a side dish or with a dipping sauce as a tasty snack.  

A Lesson in House cleaning

Today after we completed our morning school time I decided that we would do some house cleaning time. My daughter was so excited!  My son (the 2 year old) was not so excited choosing instead to go to his room and play.  Although he did help out when the spray bottle came out, squirting water, what's not to love about that?!?

A few things to keep in mind

The age and coordination of your child should dictate what you do and do not let them help you with.  Use your best judgment based on your own child's abilities, but also don't be afraid to challenge them a little, under your close supervision, of course.  You may be surprised at what they can do!

Dusting

My 4 year old loves dusting.  I love to watch her carefully move photo frames and other knick knacks out of the way so she can dust under them.  Don't know where she got that from; I just dust around them :)  

Wiping

Anything that involves spraying and wiping both of my kids love to do.  In the middle picture my daughter was cleaning their kiddie chairs by spraying with a mild cleaner and then wiping.  Of course, a few times she over-sprayed and completely soaked the chair.  I would remind her to only spray once or twice when I noticed.  She's learning so really it's not a big deal to me.  Plus, if you notice I put the chairs in the kitchen where wiping up the excess cleaner would be a snap.  Some of the pictures also show the kids cleaning the mirrors in their rooms.  The loved that!  Especially trying to catch the cleaner before it trickled down to the bottom; I think that part was their favorite.

Bathroom

First, let me start off by saying even though they're our own bathrooms they still gross me out.  I resisted letting the kids help me for a long time, even when they specifically asked to.  Finally I decided that teaching them early to clean their own bathroom would probably, in the long run, be a good thing (I hope at least.)  For my 2 year old I just let him swish the brush around in the toilet bowl.  My 4 year old gets more direction and she does a pretty decent job.  As soon as we're done with the toilet they both get a very, very thorough hand washing.  Before we start I also remind them not to touch their faces, especially their mouths or eyes while we're cleaning. 

My final word on the subject of cleaning

I believe encouraging your child/children in the habit of cleaning, especially their own spaces, can only be a good thing.  I can't guarantee they'll continue to do it as they get older and keep absolutely immaculate bathrooms (heck, I don't even do that); however, I'm pretty sure not having them do it at all would lead to very messy/dirty spaces as they get older.  So let your little one help, even if it makes a little more work for you.  You're building character, confidence and cleanliness!