good 'n plenty granola

Good ol' granola. Healthy, filling, portable...it's everything an adventurer or a mom would want. So good, in fact, that someone conjured up the ambitious idea of adding chocolate chips. A bonk on the head followed by, 'If it's good WITHOUT chocolate chips it's gotta be good WITH chocolate chips'. This inspiration flooded the market and in the rush to capture consumers, many company's turned to the devil in the candy coated red dress. You can now find mainstream granolas containing m&m's, marshmallows and other various Halloween goodie bag treasures. Fun, for sure, but it sort of defeats the whole 'simple changes in attitude will endow a healthy happy life' thing. Even without the candy corns, granola tends to be higher in fat so you have to read the labels - and the price tags - carefully. Store bought brands tend to overlook moderation - and those that DO care have to charge a lot more for all that caring and, ultimately, your budget guilt will beat out the 'simple changes in habits will endow a healthy happy life' thing. Simple solution! Make your own! It's surprisingly easy with this perfect little recipe:

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not the 1 minute stuff)
2  teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup walnut pieces
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 325. Grease a baking sheet and set aside.
Mix all the ingredients except the raisins.
Spread the granola over the prepared baking sheet.
Bake, turning twice, until granola is golden brown. About 15 minutes, but keep your eye on it as ovens tend to vary and oats tend to burn.
Place raisins in bottom of large container and fold in toasted granola.
Cover tightly once cooled and your granola will keep at room temperature for several weeks.

The house smells like a home when you cook this stuff and it's fun for kids (or spouses) to sneak some hot-out-of-the-oven granola while they help fold the raisins in, whether it be by hand (wash 'em first!) or with some shake, shake, shake of a covered bowl.

One note on moderation - not to ruin the party... A little is plenty. It's easy to chow down a whole bag of granola because of it's convenience and mild sweetness. Tame yourself! Just pour a teeny bit in a small bowl or big cup and add yogurt, milk or apple sauce - you can even add some fresh apple slices or blueberries. The fruit balances the textures for a mouthful of flavor. And the great part about that teeny portion? You get to go back for 2nds! - as long as you again pour that same teeny amount so both amounts together would add up to 1/3 your usual cereal bowl full. Good. And Plenty.