by RNay

Created on: April 23, 2010   Last Updated: April 26, 2010

Here is a wonderful recipe that is versatile, inexpensive, fresh, simple to create and healthy.

First, you start with the base recipe below and then add the ingredients that you would enjoy most.

2 Cup whole grain oats (no instant allowed: over-processed and full of preservatives)

2 Tbs. wheat bran

2 Tbs. honey

1 Tbs. molasses

2 Tbs. Peanut butter (chunky or smooth)

1/2 cup sunflower seeds or other type of nut (preferably in raw form)

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/4 tsp. salt

Water

Blend all the ingredients except for the water. Slowly add drops of water and blend mix until mix is crumbly, but some parts are pressed together. Imagine what granola purchased from the store looks like. There are crumbs and then there are chunks of ingredients stuck together.

Turn your oven to 175 F°.

Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper. This will keep the mixture from sticking to the pan and once granola is dry, it will just lift right off the paper. Smash mixture onto the parchment paper. It should be stuck together and even on the paper. Place in the oven for approximately one hour

After the first hour, take a spatula and flip the mixture taking the outside edge of the mix and moving it to the middle. The outside will dry faster than the middle so it needs to be moved. Be careful not to “stir” the mixture as you want to keep it in a “stuck together” form After another hour, flip mixture again. After about three hours, you will notice that all the mixture is dried and ready to take out of the oven. Make sure that mixture is completely dried so that it does not go bad during your hiking trip.

Now the fun begins!

Here is where you get to add items that did not need to be cooked. Be as creative as you want to be. Some examples are below:

1 Cup of carob chips (these are more natural and healthy than chocolate chips, but give the same satisfaction for those of us that have a sweet tooth

1 Cup of dried fruits – pineapples, cherries, cranberries, raisins, banana chips, mango's, etc.

 1/2 cup grated dried coconut

1 Cup rice crackers

1 Cup sesame sticks

The list is endless - Just remember that fresh is best (already toasted or processed is not as healthy). Organic and raw is even better.

Have fun and enjoy.

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