Food For Thought

"Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead."

Daniel 1:11-16

One of my favorite things to do is create inventive healthy recipes that are super tasty! I love to eat. Truly, one of my best pastimes (past & present) is raiding the fridge in search of yummy treats to create!

My running 'career' started about two years ago, slowly and surely, as a means to energize my body and lose weight. I wanted to be healthy for my kids and maintain a good discipline that would follow me through the rest of my years. To date, I have lost almost 40 pounds through healthy eating and a consistent exercise regiment. Am I bragging? You better believe it! That was stinkin' hard work! :)

The goal now is to continue to keep it off through the disciplines that we have established in our home in regards to eating and active lifestyles.

I would love to share a recipe for homemade granola that we use every week in our home and helped me to shed the pounds!

In a large bowl, combine the following ingredients and bake on large cookie sheet for 15-20 minutes (as soon as you remove from oven use spatula to flip/mix granola to avoid sticking and allow to cool on sheet):

2 lbs rolled or quick oats (one large container)
3/4 cup olive oil
1/2- 3/4 cup raw honey

In separate bowl combine:
2 cups raisins
1/2 cup ground flax seed
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 cup walnuts- broken up
1 cup mixed dried fruit that has been cut in small pieces (ie: apples, pears, peaches, etc.)

After granola has cooled, stir in fruit/nut mix. You can put 2 cup amounts in freezer safe ziploc bags and store in freezer for up to 3 months.

Enjoy!