Easy Granola Recipe

I love granola in my yogurt... or even just with milk. I have posted a granola recipe on my blog before, and have only made that one... but it is kind of expensive because you have to get ingredients at the health food store. So I was wanting to try another recipe that was good and easy. I found this one. It also didn't have to bake as long nor did I have to stir it around every 10 minutes. All about that. I love making granola because it makes your house smell so good. :)

Ingredients 

This master recipe helps you customize your own homemade granola so you can put your favorite ingredients and flavors in.

Base: 

4 Cups Old Fashioned Oats

1 Cup Unsweetened Coconut Chips (add more nuts and oats if you don’t want the coconut)

Spices:

1 Pinch of Salt

1 Tablespoon of your favorite spice like cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or a mixture of cardamom, ginger, cinnamon and cloves for a gingerbread taste.

Nuts or Seeds:

1 Cup of raw sliced almonds, chopped pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or a fun combination.

Dried Fruit:

1/2 Cup of dried cranberries, raisins, chopped apricots, chopped cherries, ect.

Oil or Fat:

1/4 Cup Melted Butter, Canola Oil, or Coconut Oil

Sweetener:

1/4 Cup + 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar, Maple Syrup, Honey, Agave, or Sweetener of your choice.  I usually use a Brown Sugar and Honey combination.  You could also try 2 tablespoons of peanut butter.

Flavoring:

1 1/2 Teaspoons of vanilla, almond, or your favorite extract.

Optional: Lemon or Orange Zest

Directions

First, preheat the oven to 300° and line an edged pan with tin foil.  Then mix together base, spices, nuts, and dried fruit in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl or measuring cup combine the oil and sweetener until it resembles a liquid caramel. 

Then spread out the granola evenly on the foil-lined pan and bake for about 30 minutes until it is lightly golden.  If you want your granola to stick together in chunks, don’t stir it!  Set it on a wire rack and let it cool completely before breaking the granola up.  If you don’t like your granola to stick together, stir every 8-10 minutes during the cooking time and right after you take it out of the oven.

Flashback Friday 169

I was going through my pictures and found this one taken in 1994 at my oldest sister Kristy's graduation. Gotta love those yellow graduation robes.

Confessions of a Brunette on the Internet 222

Last night I went in for a much needed massage. I have been going to this place long enough that I feel like lots of people are starting to know me there. I like it... it's like a new circle of friends. I already knew my one friend that does hair, but now my massage therapist is my friend and the girl that was doing my waxing is my friend too. As soon as I came in all of them were like... oh my gosh you are back! How was your trip!? How did it go traveling with your ex boyfriend! Ha ha... makes me feel kind of special that people care. I like making new friends. Boy did I need that massage after that trip! I was SO bummed to have to cancel last week because of the work conference. After sleeping on crappy beds, buses and planes and carrying around a big backpack... I needed that massage.

Still watching Chuck since I took that two week break. I'm SO close to being done though. One more season left. I'm ready for a new show. Still not sure what it is going to be yet.

I got some interesting messages on Tinder this week. If nothing else Tinder brings entertainment, that is what I always tell people... but I'm always hoping it is going to bring me dates. Feels like I go through phases. I either get a lot or none. Two top messages this week.... a guy that I have talked to for a little bit is already VERY attached and we haven't even met. How do you get attached that quickly? Or is he trying to just win me over and thinks this is going to work?

The other one is my favorite. I came across a profile that was a stock photo and his name was Mr. Compliments! He said if you swiped right to him that you are guaranteed a compliment. I almost didn't do it because I thought that was silly... but then I was like... no, this is awesome and I want to see what my compliment is. I love compliments after all. This is why I bought them at the ward auction. He said to be patient and he can take a while because he is busy, but I got my compliment right away. I thought it was a great one too. Here is what Mr. Compliments said to me.

Great right? He also started following me on Instagram and likes most of my pictures. If you follow him, he will slowly give funny clues to reveal who he is.... you better believe I am following. Just so curious! Anyway, I thought it was great, Gave me a smile.

Speaking of dating... have I told you I am open to any opportunity that comes my way? I gave my number to my massage therapist to give to her neighbor who is single. I tell people to set me up all the time, but sadly it rarely ever happens. I have tried online. I obviously do the Tinder thing. My latest new thing? I applied to be the Mormon Bachelorette for it's 5th season which they are working with LDS Matchmaker.  I had my Skype interview today and now I have to make a 2 min video of myself. I really doubt I will be chosen because most of the girls that go on there are like models... but whatever, you never know unless you try.... and we all can't say that I don't try. My friend Erin is the host and co-producer of the show. I asked her if I should sign up, if I would be a good candidate. She said yes.... we have had some heart to hearts about dating since she was in my same shoes until she got married at 32. Anyway... I'm sure she was just being nice. We shall see.

I started Insanity the other day. When I say I started what I really mean is... it was just the fitness test before you start which is a half hour. It about killed me. I don't know if I will do it every day, but I think I would like to do a couple a week while doing other work outs other days. I don't know what my problem is, but since I got back from Peru my motivation to work out is at about a 2. I mean, the idea of it was exciting when I got back. When I do it of course I feel great, but I need to do something to get my motivation back and doing it regularly again. I think it's just because I'm out of shape again from going out of town and out of my regular schedule. I will get back... I just need a little push.

On Sunday my cousin and his family and my aunt came to my parents house for dinner. I love my family. All of them. They are just great and I really enjoy being around them. I feel lucky to be close to so many of them. While talking to my aunt, the subject of selfies came up and she didn't know what it was. I taught her how to take a selfie and it was so funny watching her go around and take selfies with her son and mom and brother (my dad). My family is great. :)

I suck a crosswords. They make me feel dumb. My roommate does them a lot. Sometimes she asks me about some and I totally get them, but I was like, oh... I should totally download that app and do crosswords. Do I did... but then I just felt like an idiot because my brain just doesn't think that way. So maybe I should delete the app so I don't feel bad about myself. Or maybe I should just keep trying because maybe I will get better and then I will feel smarter? Ha ha... I don't know.

This last weekend I focused on Project Patio. Making over my patio and replanting all of my pots and such. My parents were nice enough to help me with a couple of projects and shopping for those projects. They are the best. It looks great. I just need some last final touches before I take pictures and do the big reveal of my cute patio. I have been posting little things on Instagram to get people excited for the finish product though. I don't know if other people are as excited about it as I am, but whatever. Who cares. ha ha.

Tonight I went to my first of hopefully many outdoor concerts. It was held in the beautiful little backyard in Provo. My neighbors (and friends) Ben and James were two of 4 or 5 performers/ groups that played cover songs on the the piano or guitar or both. I thought what they did was really cleaver and fun. The hooked up a computer and displayed the screen next to the stage. They would give the options of the cover songs that were going to be played and would have the audience text the number that showed next to that song. The votes showed up on the screen next to the song. Whatever song got the most votes went first and that group or performer would get up and play that song and the show went in order of the votes. Cool right? It was fun and everyone did an amazing job. I loved all the music and I was glad I went... even though I went by myself and sat by myself. ha ha. I just enjoyed being outside and listening to great music. The only thing I thought they were missing were some mood lighting in the yard. It was great. Here are my friends Ben and James. Both talented musicians.

Photo of the Week 220

Before we went to Machu Picchu, we traveled to a city called Aguas Calientes. It is the closest town to Machu Picchu, so we stayed the night there. It's a cute little town. I took this picture of a church there.

Saltwater Tank - Phase 4

So since I last posted about my tank, my cleaning crew has done well. Almost all of the Aiptasia is gone thanks to my shrimp and the snails so a pretty good job cleaning all of the algae that grows on the sides of the tank and on the rocks and in the gravel. My crab however, he died while I was in Peru... the the green algae still needs work. I'm going to get more hermit crabs and another emerald crab to help with that... meanwhile I have just been pinching it off.

Guy from the fish store said my tank is in pretty good shape. My poor anemone's may never come back... I think they just couldn't handle all the tank drama they went through. That is ok though... you want to know why? Sunday was a great day for me. It was the day my cousin Dave (king of the fish nerds) called me and told me he was going to be at my parents house and was bringing me coral for my tank. I was SO excited.  I felt like I was graduating in the saltwater tank world. This was the day I was waiting for.

Why was I so excited for coral? Coral is just as exciting as the fish in your tank. There are so many different kinds. They are all different looking. They are colorful AND most of them glow! It's so rad... and Dave grows his own coral. There are many reasons why everyone with this hobby in Utah knows my cousin. He is legit. I'm like famous by association.

When Dave came to my parents house, I was expecting him to maybe give me a few different corals. Then he handed me a container with 7! It was like Christmas. I was so excited to go home and put them in my tank. Let me tell you what. My tank is WAY cooler now. My roommates sat and ooed and awed while I put each one in. It was so fun. The pictures are not the best and it all looks way better in person, but let me show you what Dave gave me.

Cool right? I hope they thrive and grow. Next I want to trade out my fish and get some cooler fish now that I have my tank under control. Add a thing here and there. Now this is starting to get fun instead of stressful. :) Thanks cousin Dave! You are the best and I am going to bring you a treat for hooking me up with the goods for my tank. :) Thanks for being patient with me and answering all of my questions as I joined the fish club.

Happy Memorial Day

I'm so thankful for all that have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice for our country which I love so much.

I live right next to the Provo cemetery. When I was done having a yummy BBQ at my friend Ellis's house, Quinette, Daniel and I walked over to the cemetery to walk around and remember why we have a day off of work. I LOVE seeing all of the flowers and flags covering the cemetery. I couldn't get a picture that does it justice.

Hope your day was great. Happy Memorial Day!

Work Conference

Last week we had about 9 or 10 people from the Attachmate office in Seattle come into town and we had a two day work conference at the head of the Legal department's cabin up Provo Canyon. It was a long 2 days (especially Wednesday... I got picked up by my friend Tyler at 8:30 am and he didn't drop me off until 10 pm) of a lot of legal presentations.... but the scenery was good and we had some good food and we got to do some fun stuff as well. Like our "ice breaker" activity. We made paper airplanes and wrote two facts about ourselves and then threw them out of the window and everyone went and picked one up and read the facts and we guessed who the airplane belonged to. The 3 people's planes that went the farthest also got a prize.

At lunch we had a picnic at the park just up the road from the cabin. Some people rode bikes, some people played Frisbee, I on the other hand just sat on the grass and soaked up the sun. It was nice.

Later that evening, we headed to Sundance to take the ski lift.... which I love. Such a great way to relax while we enjoy such beautiful scenery. Once at the top most people hiked around... Tyler and I hung out for a little bit but then took the ski lift back down. A little bit later we had a dinner reservation at the restaurant there and had the most delicious 3 course meal that took us over 2 hours to get and eat. We estimated that our group's dinner bill was close to $1500! I could have bought a lap top!

The next day was a little shorter, we had lunch in midway at Taramuhara (which has an awesome salsa bar) and then we actually ended a little early which some then went to the airport, some hiked to the Timp Caves.... I wanted to go home early.... It was a good conference although it was tiring. It was nice to be out of the office doing something different for a couple of days. It was also nice to meet some of the people we work with in the Seattle office. Always better to know people personally when you work together.