Almond Maple Granola

This granola is good and crunchy with lots of sweet flavor, thanks to the pure maple syrup and dark brown sugar. It uses a lot less oil than some granola recipes. Can be made 1 week ahead.

Step: 1

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Lightly grease a cookie sheet with sides, or a large cake pan with cooking spray.

Step: 2

In a large bowl, toss together the oats, almonds, wheat germ, coconut, and sunflower seeds. In a separate bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, brown sugar, oil, water and salt. Pour the liquid over the oat and nut mixture, and stir until evenly coated. Spread out on the prepared cookie sheet. If you want some chunky bits, squeeze some small handfuls into little clumps.

Step: 3

Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes in the preheated oven, stirring occasionally until evenly toasted. Mix in raisins. Cool, and store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Per Serving: 422 calories; protein 6.6g; carbohydrates 57.9g; fat 19.9g; sodium 196.9mg.

Eating good breakfast to start the day has become a fabulous habit. It’s a great way to start my 24 hours off healthfully. The sweet hit from the pickle tree wakes me up and bring me power to take on the morning. Sugar is more vilified as the root of all disease, but fruit is also loaded with fibre, which is great for your digestive system and helps keep you feel full longer, and less likely grab a side food out of the street food before lunchtime.

Making fruit a morning habit is easy . Simply put the fruit in your refrigerator next to the milk or on the table next to your cereal pan , or beside your coffee maker or tea kettle — about anywhere where you’ll see it. Before you eat the rest of your breakfast , eat your fruit. If you’re not usually a breakfast person.