So, yes, I’ve been MIA.  Like literally I was in MIA for a few days…  🙂 (Miami), but I really have been a little off the grid lately.  Not actually off the grid, but I haven’t been home enough to make much lately because I’ve been traveling so much.  (Not complaining!)

Let me just say – I have a new respect for people who travel a lot and who are active.  I managed to find a few lbs on my journeys… but I don’t regret one bite!  I also had a nasty little sinus infection which really pushed me back.  I literally couldn’t breathe enough to work out.  Not fun.  So, now that all of my excuses are out of the way and that I’m home –  I can share what I recently made and what I’m recently obsessed with…. HOMEMADE GRANOLA!!!

This is such a simple recipe, and the difference between store bought granola and this is like a billion percent.  The other awesome thing about homemade granola is that you can really put whatever you want in it!  So get creative with it – venture out and try some new things. Here’s what I went for…  (Also – this make a huuuuge batch, so cut it in half if you want a smaller serving.).   I found the original recipe on Food Network by Ina Garten, but made some adjustments to make it healthier.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup cashews
• 2 cups almonds
• 3/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup good honey
• 1 cup dried blueberries
• 1 cup dried cherries
• 1 cup dried cranberries

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Toss the oats, coconut, cashews and almonds together in a large bowl. Whisk together the oil and honey in a small bowl. Pour the liquids over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated. Pour onto a 13 by 18 by 1-inch sheet pan. This actually made so much, I used 2 cookie sheets for all of the granola.  Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even, golden brown, about 20 minutes.
3. Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Add all of the dried fruit and mix well.  Store in an airtight container!