Category: DIY
Apple Crisp Granola
Original post: 10/3/12
Edited: 12/21/2022
Vegetarian
Gluten-free (if using gluten-free oatmeal)
Quick
I pretend to be a cereal eater. I buy cereals, most of which go to waste before they are eaten. Since the milk texture in my cereal really bothers me, I eat dry cereal. That can get really boring quick. My husband and sons love cereal with milk. So I’m the odd man out in my family.
However, I enjoy eating granola in Greek yogurt. The pieces of granola don’t get soggy like they do in milk. So making homemade granola can be cost-efficient. Homemade granola can also be adapted to my taste and preference. I also know what exactly is in it, so there are no mystery ingredients. Plus, it’s delicious!
So when this recipe crossed my inbox, my curiosity peaked. So I got the few ingredients I needed to make the granola. I made it on a Sunday morning before church. I took some with me to eat during refreshment, so I wouldn’t eat any of the not-so-good goodies. When I shared some of it with my fellow churchgoers, they were impressed with the taste. As was I.
The granola combines the flavors of fall. Cinnamon and nutmeg tickle your taste buds. Apples scream fall! There are also a few surprises hidden in the granola.

Apple Crisp Granola
Adapted from Rachel Cooks
Stars of the Recipe:
- 3 c. oats (old-fashioned or quick cooking)
- 1 c. chopped raw walnuts
- 1/2 c. shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- 4 Tbsp. packed brown sugar
- 4 Tbsp. canola oil
- 4 Tbsp. honey
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 2 c. chopped dried apples
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray or line it with parchment.
- In a large bowl, stir the oats, walnuts, coconut, salt, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a separate microwavable bowl, stir together the canola oil, vanilla, and honey. Heat in microwave for 45 seconds on 50% power.
- Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients. Stir until everything is well coated.
- Spread granola in an even layer over the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes, stir, and then bake for 15 to 20 more minutes, until golden brown.
- Let cool completely. Stir in dried apples once the granola has cooled.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Enjoy!!!!
Dollar Store First Aid Kit
When my boys went to Boy Scout Camp, I needed to make sure they had a personal first aid kit. I knew there was going to be an infirmity if they had a serious injury. All they needed was band-aids, first aid ointment, and something to clean up his injury.
So we headed to the Dollar Tree to get those items plus a container.
I almost got a sandwich container to hold of the items in the first aid kit. The Imaginative One who is the Boy Scout veteran told me that the sandwich container was going to be too big.
Then I realized there was school supplies in the store. I decided using a pencil bag would be compact enough.
All of the first aid items that I put in the kit. We also got them so medication for bug bites.
All of the items were bought at the Dollar Store. Each kit was about $4.83. (The sanitizer came in a pack of 3 and I put half of the wipes in each kit.)
I love this idea that I came up with and am planning to make one of those kits for my desk at work. I’m going to add an eye glass kit to my kit. My students are always asking for band-aids. The clinic gives us a limited amount of band-aids at the beginning of the year. Once those are gone, I’ll use band-aids from the Dollar Tree.
I think I’m going to also make a hygiene kit with another pencil bag. In the bag, I would put a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, breath mint strips, deodorant, and a brush.
I hope these give you some ideas.
Have a magical day,
Traci
Lemon Garlic Marinade (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Paleo, Whole30)
When I went grocery shopping last Sunday, I got some boneless pork ribs. I almost bought a bottle of lemon garlic marinade for the ribs but decided not to get it.
I decided to make my own lemon garlic marinade for the ribs instead of buying that bottle.
When I served dinner last night, Hubby was delighted with the ribs. Since there were a couple left over, he claimed them as his own for our left over night. So I think this marinade is a winner.
This marinade would be good on pork chops, boneless pork ribs, pork roast, or even chicken breast.
Bonus: It’s Whole30 friendly.
Oh, and I finally figured out how to make my recipes printer friendly. That’s been a big problem during the 7 years I’ve had this blog.
Lemon Garlic Marinade
Ingredients
-1 lemon, zest and juiced
-1 clove of garlic, minced or 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
-2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
-1 tsp. Salt
-1 tsp. Pepper
-2 tsp. oregano
Directions
- In a gallon sized ziploc bag, add the ingredients. Close the bag. Knead the bag until the ingredients are combined.
- Add either boneless ribs, pork chops, or chicken breast.
- Allow meat to marinade for 4 to 12 hours or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place meat in a baking dish.
- Cook the pork or chicken for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Once cooked, remove from the oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve and enjoy!
The pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees and chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Happy eating,
Traci
Peach Simple Syrup and Peach Iced Tea
When I was 20 years old, I participated in the Walt Disney World College Program. I was a quick service hostess at the Disney-MGM Studios’ Sunset Ranch Market. While I was there I met a lot of people. Molly and I were co-workers who spent a lot of time together during the four months we were down there.
Cheddar Bay Biscuits Redone
Some of my previous recipes either don’t have pictures or the pictures need to be updated. This recipe needed an updated photograph. I used an Iphone to take the picture for the blog back in March 2012. The Iphone was new so I thought I needed to use it for all my photographs for this blog. (I no longer have an Iphone.)
Trail Mix (Easy Snack and DIY)
The Imaginative One is now in Boy Scouts and goes on hikes. One of the hiking trips requires him to carry all of his supplies and food for the weekend. Trail mix is one of the easiest items to carry. We make our own so we can customize it to his likes.
Continue reading “Trail Mix (Easy Snack and DIY)”
Vegan Mexican Ranch Dressing
Almost every Sunday, we have a family dinner with my mother-in-law. Sunday night dinners were a tradition even before I was part of the family.
Pizza Sauce
I originally posted this recipe back in July 2010. I decided to repost the recipe with a couple slight changes to the recipe.
Pizza Sauce
Stars of the recipe:
- 1 (6 oz.) can of tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 to 1/2 c. water
- 1 Tbsp. sugar
- salt, to taste
- 1 Tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp. dried basil
- 1/2 Tbsp. dried parsley
Steps:
- Combine all the ingredients in a microwavable bowl. (Start with 1/4 c. of water. Gradually add more until it’s the thickness you want.)
- Microwave for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Stir once out of the microwave.
- Use on your favorite pizza crust.
Happy eating,
Traci
Tangy Barbecue Sauce
This barbecue sauce would be good on a pulled pork sandwich, a Monterrey chicken quesadilla, or a BBQ chicken sandwiches.