A Lesson in Nourishing the Soul

 As of tomorrow today at 5:30pm I am officially taking a 3-day vacation (I know minuscule to many, but GIGANTIC to me) Feels like the first vacation I have had in FOREVER.  And while it’s not really a “vacation” in the traditional sense… I’m not hoping on plane, going to a tropical island, camping or cruising on any boats….

Even better, I’m simply taking some “Me Time”

Now what exactly is Me-Time?  (I know cheesy title, not to be confused with being punished to the corner like a 5-year old)

“Me-Time” is a time or place where you can nourish the soul, balance your needs, eat delicious food (oh my god I might even be able to MAKE my own dinners), breathe and best of all relax.

In all reality – I will likely spend this time sorting, cleaning, packing and un-packing my house (I’m supposed to be moving during this so-called meditative period).  Nonetheless, I am taking this time off to unwind, understand and try and prioritize my heart. 

To be totally frank, I am not a meditative person.  I need 2 (large) cups of coffee to get out of bed, I find Yoga too slow, I get road rage, I’ve been called Type-A (more than a few times) and I HATE the smell of hemp.  But lately, it feels like my life/work/sanity is taking its toll on me and I need to figure out a better way to do things.  I need to get rid of this permanent pit-in-my-stomach feeling, the constant cortisol-rush and the adrenaline hang-overs.

While I don’t want to add fuel to the fire and put pressure on this sacred me-time, I am in essence setting a challenge for myself (I know, I know,"challenge" is probably contradictory to the theme, but read back to “Type-A”) 

Whatever. It's my blog - I'll do what I want to.

So today at 5:30 I am challenging myself to slow down, seek peace and remember to breathe.  In essence it will be part vacation, part science experiment.

SO WISH ME LUCK!

I've just done a bad bad thing...

Or at least I am about to...

I can't believe I am crazy enough to share with the entire blog world, the secret to my existence... the secret to my happiness, my sanity and the only reason I call myself a cook.

enter: Rebar's Cranberry Hazelnut Granola  (shamelessly stolen from my Mother's cookbook)

I'm not joking when I say, this is probably the worlds best granola.  And to make matters worse, it' so easy, even I can make it!  Nonetheless, I must take this moment to warn you all - Granola is not for the chintzy-hearted.  There shall be no skimping on the dried fruits, the honey layering or the coconut shreds.  As far as granola goes - the bigger the better!

And thus, I give to you: 

Cranberry Hazelnut Granola

Ingredients:

• 3 cups (720 mL) large flake oats
• 1 ½ cups (360 mL) barley flakes
• ½ cup (120 mL) oat bran
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut
• ½ tsp (2.5 mL) salt
• 1 cup (240 mL) hazelnuts, coarsely chopped
• ½ cup (120 mL) pumpkin seeds
• ½ cup (120 mL) sunflower seeds
• ½ cup (120 mL) vegetable oil
• ¼ cup (50 mL) water
• 2/3 cup (160 mL) maple syrup (or honey, or a combination)
• 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
• 1 cup (240 ml) dried cranberries
• ½ cup (120 ml) dried blueberries

Makes about 8 cups (2 L) ....or if you are like me, then about fifteen big handfuls

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the oil, water, honey, and vanilla. Combine the wet and dry mixes and stir thoroughly.
2. Spread the mixture out onto two baking sheets (or do it in two batches). Bake at 250°F for 20-30 minutes. Stir the mixture every 10 minutes to ensure even baking and remove from the oven when golden brown. Cool and stir in the dried fruit. Seal and store for up to 1 month.

If you want to make the Granola even more BADASS, you can also try these combinations:

• Almonds, wheat germ, dried cherries
• Pecans, flax seeds, dried mango
• Walnuts, dried apricots, and figs

Voila!  You have PERFECTION :)

You can thank me later...