Granola

Granola Bars–Good or Evil?  Maybe you need to read the package more closely…

“They’re not health food,” said Jayne Hurley, senior nutritionist with U.S.-based Center for Science in the Public Interest. “They’re basically cookies masquerading as health food.”

Indeed, one 46-gram package of peanut butter Nature Valley bars contains 230 calories, 11 grams of fat, 150 milligrams of sodium and 11 grams of sugar.

Compare that to a 45-gram Kit Kat chocolate bar, which contains 230 calories, 12 grams of fat, 35 milligrams of sodium and 22 grams of sugar.

from the GLOBE and MAIL, Dec 12, 2010

Check out this link to read more from this article…very interesting how MARKETING and MAKING MONEY has become more important than people! Sneaky, Sneaky…http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/granola-bars-a-healthy-snack-or-dressed–up-junk-food/article1833722/

Here is a great, easy recipe for REAL Granola–the “good for your body” kind…

Granola
6 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
3/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/3 cup sesame seeds
1 cup flaked coconut

1 cup water
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
6 tbsp oil
1tsp vanilla
1tsp almond extract

1 cup raisins

Combine  first 6 ingredients in large  bowl.
Measure water, honey , br. sugar, oil and extracts into saucepan.  Heat and stir until liquid.  Pour over dry mixture and stir well to coat.  Divide between 2 large ungreased baking sheets with sides.  Bake on separate racks at 300 degrees for 30-40 minutes, stirring and switching pans around every 10 minutes or so.  Stir in raisins and cool completely before storing in airtight containers.

This is great on yogurt, with milk as cereal, or just snacked on its own–so good!  See if you can keep it around very long!