I am totally going to go off on a tangent about one of my favorite places in the world, but first I will give you my recipe for homemade GRANOLA.
I tried several different recipes, and took tidbits from each, to come up with my very own personalized recipe that is perfect for my family.
Rachel’s Homemade Granola
Ingredients-
8 cups oats
5 cups wheat puffs (see below)
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup flax seed flour
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup shredded coconut
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup honey
1 cup olive oil
1 TB cinnamon
1 TB vanilla
2 cups craisins
Directions-
1. Heat oven to 325. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with foil. Spray with Pam.
2. In a saucepan, mix salt, brown sugar, syrup, honey, oil, and cinnamon. Bring to a simmer. Remove from heat, then add vanilla. (Never boil vanilla, or it’ll ruin its flavor).
3. In a large bowl, combine oats, puffs, wheat germ, flax seed, almonds, and coconut.
4. Pour the wet mixture over the dry mixture. Stir to combine.
5. Spread out on baking sheets. Bake at 325 for 30-40 minutes, until granola is brown and crispy. Give it a stir around 20 minutes.
6. Remove from oven, let cool slightly, then add craisins.
7. Store in airtight container.
8. Eat plain, with milk, or over yogurt. Enjoy!
Here’s a picture of the puffed cereal that I used. It’s organic kamut, which I bought at Whole Foods. I am guessing that you could even use a number of different things, including rice krispies, if you can’t find this stuff.
On to one of the prettiest places in the world. Because it makes me think of granola sometimes…
My mother grew up in Humboldt County, California. My ancestors settled there, and are buried in the most amazing cemetary, which we visit every time we’re in Humboldt. So many of my relatives still live there, and will probably always be there. A big part of my heritage is there, and I feel so much at home when I visit. I spent many summers staying with my great-grandparents in Eureka, playing with my cousins in Ferndale, visiting my mother’s roots in Fortuna, and even a summer working on my Grandpa’s blueberry farm in Honeydew. If you have ever heard of Petrolia or Honeydew, and experienced the windy drive on the Wildcat and along the Lost Coast, then your breath has definitely been taken away by its beauty.
Today, Humboldt is well known for many things. Among my favorites are the Redwoods, the Pacific Ocean, Victorian architecture, and then of course the hippies. I believe in peace, love, and freedom, and long for a more simple life. There are some things about them that I don’t understand or might not ever agree with, but still I can’t help but be mystified by their culture. I love to hear the names some people give to their children… Sunshine Rain, Feather, Willow, Rainbow, Cosmic River, Lennon Karma…. I love to see the hippie vans decked out in peace signs and tye-dye with dreadlocked passengers.
So there’s my tribute to Humboldt County which I love so much and can’t wait to visit again next summer. (The following pictures are from two summers ago).
Overlooking Ferndale.
The banks of the Eel River.
My Grandpa and my mom. He’s the one who had the blueberry farm, where I worked for a summer with my sister and cousins.
And this is my sweet Grandma Joan, who I love so much. She grew up in Ferndale, one of the most amazing places on earth!
The amazing Redwoods. Can you see my sister in the pink shirt?
Take me back….
A few of my ancestors were dairy farmers. I think Jersey cows are so pretty!
The Carson Mansion.
The Pink Lady.
Have you ever been to Humboldt County? What’s your favorite memory?
I’m linking this post up to the amazing blogs here, including HomeStoriesA2Z, Remodelaholic, and Today’s Creative Blog.
