Homemade Granola Bars

So this has to be one of the easiest things I've ever baked, its hard to screw up, has easy prep, simple steps, smells FANTASTIC, and tastes amazing! I'm not a huge fan of granola bars because I find them to be too sweet, but this recipe was perfect and I cant wait to share it with you.....Right now =)

*Preheat oven to 350*

Ingredients 

2 Cups rolled oats
3 TBS butter/margarine 
1/2  Cup honey
1/4 Cup brown sugar
1 & 1/2 TSP vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

(Optional)
1/2 Cup  shredded coconut
1/2 Cup mixed nuts or trial mix
Chopped dried fruit or chocolate chips

For my granola bars, I added in Trader Joe's Texas Hold'em Mix because it has a nice variety of things I personally think would go great in a granola bar. the ingredients include peanuts, sunflower seeds, currants, pumpkin seeds, cashews, and almonds. I chopped a handful of the mixture and just added it to my oats. I  Also crushed up some vector cereal for some added flavor and texture. I added this after I combined my wet and dry ingredients. 


So to begin take your oats, and/or coconut and trail mix, pour onto a baking sheet and mix together. Place in the oven for 10 minutes. Watch this closely as you don't want the oats to burn. After 10 minutes take out your oats and transfer them into a mixing bowl. Turn your oven down to three hundred and start prepping your wet mixture. This mixture is what will hold your granola bars together.

In a sauce pan, add butter/margarine, honey, brown sugar, salt and vanilla. Stir until all ingredients are melted and combined. You want this mixture to just barely come to a boil. 

So once that is done, pour the mixture into your bowl of toasted oats, at this point you can add your dried fruit and vector cereal like I did. Mix thoroughly!   
  

                           

After you're done mixing every thing together, get out a cake pan and lightly grease the bottom and sides of the pan. add a piece of wax paper to the bottom. make sure it lays flat. Next, add your oat mixture into the pan and flatten it out to make sure it's even. Press down firmly. Once you think it's flat and even, go ahead and place the cake pan in the oven for 20 minutes. This was my favourite part because in about 5 minutes a warm, earthy and vanilla scent took over the entire house. Very satisfying! After 20 minutes, take your almost granola bars out of the oven and let it cool off for about 10 minutes. Gently flip your pan over and your granola bar will fall right out. Mine looked liked this.

Cut into desired shape and size and enjoy! 

To store these I just put them on a plate and covered them with plastic wrap, but obviously you can store them anyway you like. these will last up for one week if they don't get eaten before that!  

So that's it. That's all there is to it. Like I said it's simple and I guarantee you'll love them so make sure if you try this recipe you let me know how you liked it and if you changed anything. Bon Appetit, Everyone. 

Xoxo - Katie

                                                                          

Spring Cleaning!

I don't know if ya'll have noticed but the snow is MELTING!!! If you're reading this and you don't have snow where you are......well I'm envious.

There is something so satisfying about knowing the snow is going away, maybe it's because I know the trees and grass are going to be green in a matter of a few weeks, and the weather is just going to keep getting better. What ever it is, I'm excited and I can't wait!

Spring reminds us all of fresh, new, and clean beginnings so I thought I'd share with you a few little ways to welcome the new season and how to make the most of the exciting feeling were all having for this weather!

1. Open the curtains!
Let the sun in and feel it's warmth on your skin!
2.Eat cleaner!
Spring is clean and refreshing! your diet should be too. chop up some veggies and fruit and munch out!
3. Exercise!
Yeah I know.... But come on,  spring is all about transformations and new beginnings and you should be a part of that
4. Go through your clothes
Revamp that wardrobe and donate your old clothes..you know the ones you said you'd wear again but never did. ;)
5.Cut your hair or get new make-up
Change is good! get with the season!
6.Pamper yourself!
Moisturize! Winter is a dry season, get a head start on healthier skin!
7.Evaluate your skin care!
Have a fresh start with cleaner skin, revamp your routine!
8.Clean your social media's.
delete the people that do more harm than good. You're news feeds should be filled with positivity and knowledge not rants about getting the wrong fast food order or how your parents suck and "they just don't get it". Ain't nobody got time for that!
9.Clean your mind!
make an effort everyday to start fresh. Smile and think positive and you'll be surprised just how much better you're days become.
10.Open your windows!
Let the fresh air in. take it in and enjoy it. Winter is almost gone! Welcome spring into your home as soon as you can. 

So these are just the small ways I prepare for spring in my life and mind. If you have anything to add let me know because I'm always interested in knowing what everyone else does to welcome ad embrace the great weather.
If you were interested in making a few changes, I hope this gave you a few ideas and inspiration. As always let me know what you though in the comments below!

Happy spring time, everyone!


                                                    xxoo - Katie