Friday, March 11, 2011

Friday Mishmash - In Which I Become a Hippie

More on the hippie business in a minute. But first, I wanted to update you all on my Mom - she's doing great. Today marks two weeks since her surgery and except for a bad couple of pain days right after I left, she has done remarkably well. And, the most amazing thing has happened in the last week...we've discovered that my Dad can make omelets! Who knew??? Actually, neither my mom nor I have had much success with omelets - usually they end up as scrambled eggs. So this is big, people - BIG!

Picture below is my mom from last Saturday - in bed with her basket of goodies (books, crossword puzzles, Dove chocolate, Kindle). I think she looks dang good - you wouldn't believe she was just a week post op there!
Everybody wave to my Mom!

********************

So while I was gone, Jeff was also out of town for a week. Our neighbor, Ginger's mom (Paco's best friend), not only took care of Paco and the cats for us, she moved Paco in with them! I was a little worried when I heard of her plan, because she has two backyard dogs, and Paco only gets along with Ginger. No other dogs. He has the "charge/bark/snarl first, wag tail second" mentality, which, as you can imagine, does not make him very popular with other dogs (or their owners). It's so embarrassing - he has done this since we first got him, and even puppy kindergarten didn't cure him of this (we were relegated to a far corner in the classroom - shameful, I know). Anyway, guess what? He got along with the other dogs! That's right - Paco played well with others!!! We were so proud (and astounded)! He also slept in the youngest daughter's room (in his crate, which is his sanctuary) - she loved it, as it was like having her own dog, and apparently he was a very.good.boy. Who knew he had it in him?!?

"Yes, Mom - I had it in me...I just didn't want you to know. Now go away, I want to be one with my pillow."
Hiding from the stalkerazzi...

********************

Jeff gave me the super cool Runner's World Training Journal for Christmas, and I got all of two weeks into it before I hurt my ankle. It was just one more thing lying around, mocking me for not running (yes, my inanimate objects are pretty cruel) - but I resurrected it this week - ok, it's walking miles instead of running miles, but hey, it makes me feel good to finally be writing something in it:

Over 7 miles in 3 days! Woohoo!

********************

And now, the hippie part of today's post - specifically, granola. I made granola, people, and it was good! Now if I could just find my Birkenstock sandals and love beads, I'd be set. Where was I? Oh yeah. My mom had a recipe for granola that she said was really good, while being pretty low in calories. So I stole it copied it down while I was in Oregon and actually made it this week. My verdict? Really, really tasty! Here's the scoop...

First, gather your ingredients:

I found everything at my local HEB, except for the Craisins - they were already in my pantry. Oh, and the cinnamon as well.

Then, follow recipe:

Hippie Granola

3 cups oats
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
3 tbsp packed brown sugar
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp (generous) salt
1/3 cup honey
2 tbsp vegetable (canola?) oil
1 cup assorted dried fruit

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line rimmed jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Mix first 7 ingredients in large bowl. Stir honey and oil in saucepan over medium-low heat until smooth. Pour honey mixture over oat mixture, toss. Spread on prepared sheet. Bake until golden, stirring every 10 minutes, about 40 minutes. (cook’s note: it took my batch a total of 55 minutes to become the right shade of brown) Place sheet on rack, stir granola, cool. Mix in fruit. Store in airtight container.

Makes about 6 ½ cups; serving size ½ cup – 247 calories.

Lay in parchment paper-lined jelly-roll pan:

Uncooked granola - would it just be considered a nutty oat mixture at this point?

Bake, turning every 10 - 20 minutes or so until golden brown:

Doesn't look a whole lot different, but trust me, this is baked. NOW it's granola!

Cool, then pour into bowl and add in dried fruit:

(sorry, no picture - I forgot!)

Then do math (ugh! so hard!) and figure out calories for entire batch, measure out batch into a ziploc bag to see how much you've come up with, do more math (I hope everyone appreciates all the effort I put into this - my brain hurt afterward!):

All you're getting is a total calorie count - no nutritional breakdown because, trust me, that would have broken me down trying to figure it out!

Then reward yourself with a delicious snack while humming California Dreamin' by the Mamas and the Papas.

It's like, soooo organic. And crunchy. Peace, man.

I really like this granola. It tastes almost buttery, which is amazing since there is no butter in it at all - just a mere 2 tablespoons of canola oil. I think next time I make it, I'll add in more of the coconut flakes and skip the dried fruit - that way, I can throw in dried or fresh fruit, depending on what I'm eating this with. Right now, it's been a tasty breakfast mixed with Fage, my favorite nonfat Greek yogurt.

********************

Have a good weekend!

25 comments:

  1. That granola definitely sounds and looks jummie!

    I absolutely adore Paco, together with Bella it's the most cute dog I know. Look at her hiding behind her pillow, too cute!

    I'm so glad to hear your Mom is doing so good.

    Hai Shelley's Mom!

    ReplyDelete
  2. good lord I adore you.

    and yer feisty mama.

    If (when?) we attempt the granola I shall snap some photos for you both :)

    Miz.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So glad to hear that your Mom is doing well and is being fed! Your granola looks wonderful - I wish I had some right this second.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mishmash comments - Yippee that you're mom is doing well. I adore Paco! I think it's great that you're walking. I know for me I tend to fall into "all or nothing thinking" and I think walking is a great compromise with Cranky Ankle. And hippie granola... yum!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your mom looks beautiful... so glad she's doing better.
    Way to go on the walking... I am a sloth, and must do better. ;)
    Oh... and Paco is adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Did you know I've been obsessed with granola? My recipe is similar, but has agave whatever that stuff is and no brown sugar. Sweet and less calories. I am searching for the recipe. Will get it to you.
    Walking is awesome says the born again walker.
    So glad Judy is doing well.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm glad your mom is doing so well!

    And granola? I've tried a couple of times unsuccessfully. But if you can do it... I'm gonna give it one more try. I do love it in greek yogurt. Thanks for doing the stats.

    Paco and the Stalkerazzi--too funny!

    ReplyDelete
  8. So proud of Paco! It's like they know when they need to behave...

    So, because I am your BIF, I put the receipe into my calculator and this is what I came up with for nutrition facts:

    1/2 cup serving = 254 calories, 14.7g fat; 56mg sodium; 54mg potassium; 32g carbs; 4.4g fiber; 16.7g sugars; 3.5g protein

    You're welcome :-)

    And, I'll be making that.

    HI JUDY!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. SOOOO glad to hear your Mom is recovering well. And she DID look fantastic in that photo!!! Awww...little Paco did you proud. That's so sweet!!!!!!! Groovy granola recipe. Thanks for sharing. Peace! :) Have a GREAT weekend Shelley!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Isn't it funny how our "kids" will behave better for others. Mine usually did...lol. Glad Pacho had a great time.

    Your mom looks great! How's your dad holding up? I will bet this has been hard on him too. They are in my thoughts.

    Granola...yummy. Good for you and the walking. It's my most favoritest thing to do!

    ReplyDelete
  11. You're a hippie because you got your granola recipe from your mom in Oregon...hahahahaha! (looks good!)

    Sorry you have cruel inanimate objects at your house, glad you showed your book who is boss!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great that your mom is doing well. I'm glad you posted the granola recipe, many years ago I made granola all the time, I don't know why I stopped. Great with yogurt. Think I'll make a big batch.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Go Judy!! She looks amazing - and suprisingly rested to me!

    I just bought a pair of Birkenstock's for Hannah's birthday - she's been eyeing them for a while - I had no idea they would cost $118! But she's worth it and I know she'll wear them every day.

    Love your granola - I haven't made any in ages. Have a great weekend Shelley!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am glad your mother is doing ok and getting to read it bed is a real pleasure. I am going to try the granola without fruit, it looks awesome and healthy too.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Glad to hear your mom is doing well. She looks great in that picture!

    It was weird to see a recipe post on your blog - I had to double check where I was LOL! I love granola. We have a love/hate relationship where I am fine with it, and then go to Snack Town. And I never know when that trip will happen.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your momma is a trooper! I am convinced it is her positive outlook and healthy lifestyle. Speaks volumes doesn't it?

    Thanks for sharing and doing the math on the granola! Looks dynamite! I think I will have to try to make it :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Paco looks far worse off than your mother while sitting in that chair. How pathetic can a dog look!?

    The granola looks delish.
    I still have your mom's getwell card sitting here on my desk. I think there's a coffee stain and some See's melted onto it. Plus there could be germs from the wicked step sisters. I may have to get a new card and continue using this one as a coaster.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Good boy, Paco!!

    Hi, Shelley's Mom! *waving*

    So glad you're out there getting in your miles despite that darn ankle. Maybe it'll help out?

    Ok, hippie. Share some granola. LOL

    Have yourself a wonderful weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Shelley, glad your mom is doing well. She looks great!

    Curious, what kind of dog is Paco? We just got a puppy and she looks very similar.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Yeah! Glad your mom is doing better!

    love the granola recipe - and you could use canola instead of vegetable oil.

    have a great weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Paco is so funny! Your mom looks great! The granola looks really good, I may have to try it,man. It's looks groovy. I'm diggin it.

    You crack me up with the inanimate objects thing. I'm glad I'm not the only crazy person who thinks this way. Ha ha! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Home-made granola? That's right up there with me eating tofu and bean sprouts. You can take the girl out of California, but...

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great to hear that your Mom is doing so well!

    Granola looks awesome - I'll have to try that. I use a PC program called Living Cookbook - it lets you save/organize your recipes, and automatically calculates the nutrition information - might save you some time :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. So glad your mom is doing so well! Go go go!

    And look at you with the walking; I knew you would find something to fill that exercise hole soon enough. Just watch it on the ankle smashes. :)

    ReplyDelete

Comments are now moderated to prevent spammers from leaving, well, spam - but rest assured that as soon as I read a real comment, I will publish it. So please, comment away, even though the blog is officially closed. Thanks!