Let's raise healthy kids!

I just left a very inspiring meeting that I am so happy to tell you about.  I am honored to be on the Board of the Mountain Area Child and Family Center MACFC

What a wonderful organization with THE most dedicated staff.  We were treated an informative presentation by Project Director Susan Patrice who explained to us the fabulous program that MACFC has created called Rainbow in my Tummy.  Click the links to learn more about the organization and the fantastic program that we all hope will transform our food system and help lower the obesity rate in children not only in Western North Carolina but all over the country.  Included in the presentation was a recipe for Harvest Granola a nutrient dense food created by a dietitian with enhanced protein and decreased sugar...Can't wait to try it!

HARVEST GRANOLA
Recipe Yield: 8 Cups

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F

Mix together in large bowl

4 cups rolled oats

1.5 cup walnuts

1.5 cup dried cherries (chopped)

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup shredded coconut (optional)

1 cup sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (optional)

Mix together in smaller bowl

1 1/4 cup canola oil

1/2 cup honey (never serve raw honey to children)

1/3 cup maple syrup (or brown sugar)

(if you dont have honey or maple syrup use 3/4 cup brown sugar and vanilla extract)

Pour liquid mixture over the oat mixture and stir w/ wooden spoon until oats and seeds are well coated.  Spread evenly onto sheet pan (if you have parchment paper put it on the sheet pan to make cleanup easier) Bake at 300 degrees F -stirring frequently with a spatula.  Granola will burn easily so keep and eye on it especially around the edges of the pan.  Bake until mixture turns nice, even golden brown about 25-30 min. 

***IMPORTANT-Whole dried fruit is a choking hazard for children.  Please chop the cherries into smaller pieces before mixing them into granola.

ENJOY!