A Pretty Glass of Water

I really like water and don't usually have a hard time drinking the daily recommended amounts, BUT sometimes I need something fresh to change things up a bit!  I do find it much easier during the week when I'm at the office.  Weekends are definitely a bit more of a challenge for me.  This morning while I was fixing breakfast for my family I decided to slice up some fruit to infuse in my water throughout the weekend.  My favorite fruits to put in my water are oranges, lemons and strawberries!

It literally only took about 5 minutes to wash and slice the fruit.  Then I put some of the sliced fruit in a jar and then into the fridge to make it easier to grab a slice or two to put into my glass (or water bottle) throughout the day.

Drink your water today and make it fun, fresh and healthy!!!

Blessings,

Krystal

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Granola

For quite some time now my favorite and most frequent breakfast is granola, yogurt and some fruit (typically frozen fruit).  I had been buying granola cereal but was tired of how overly crunchy they were and the raisins in them were always as hard as a rock.  I reached out to my Facebook friends for suggested recipes for homemade granola.  Several friends shared some great recipes.  Here's the first one I tried and it is SO good.  My kids and husband like it too (I may have to hide some of it so they don't eat it all)!  I can't wait to try different variations of this recipe in the future!

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Granola 

(adapted from www.skinnytaste.com)

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed well and pat dry with paper towel
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 cup ground flaxseeds
• 1/4 cup pine nuts (or other seed/or nut)
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup honey (used fresh honey from my mom and dad)
• 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• pinch salt

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325° F.

Spread oats and quinoa out on a parchment lined baking pan. Toast in the oven 10 minutes, stirring once.

Remove the oats from the oven, pour the toasted oats into a medium bowl and add the ground flaxseeds, pine nuts, pecans and dried fruit.

Reduce oven to 300° F.

In a second medium bowl, combine honey, pumpkin puree, oil, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, salt and vanilla. Pour over oats and stir together with a spatula. Spread back onto a baking sheet and bake an additional 20 minutes, or until golden.

Makes 3 2/3 cups.