Homemade Granola Bars

You know those granola bars you bought at the store yesterday?   Well you can make even better granola bars at home.  They cost less and taste a whole lot better!   Also, you can change this recipe to make it just right for you.  I mean, how do you know what`s in the store granola bars. Do you read the label?  With homemade granola bars, you know exactly what’s in them and you choose all your favorite ingredients.  Don’t like pumpkin seeds? Try sunflower seeds. Don’t like raisins?  Use dried apple. You’re the boss of this recipe! Make it however you like. So, get ready to make your very own scrumptious granola bars!  You may never buy wrapped granola bars again.

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups oats

½ cup pumpkin seeds

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

½ tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

½ cup dried cranberries, raisins

1/4 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Spread the oats and seeds on a tray and toast in oven at 350°F for 5 minutes, then stir. Now toast for another 5 minutes.  Transfer to a large bowl.
2. Combine honey, butter, sugar vanilla and salt in small pot and melt on the stove, stirring occasionally.
3. Pour the sugar mixture on the oats & seeds.  Mix well.  
4. Wait 5 minutes before adding raisins and chocolate.   Mix again.
5. Pour onto pan lined with parchment paper.  Cover with another piece of parchment paper.   Press down very firmly.    
6. Place in fridge for about 2 hours.   
7. Now, one more step… cut into bars with a sharp knife.

There you have it… homemade granola bars.   And NO wrappers!   These snacks are completely waste-free.   And totally delicious. Bon apetite!

Bye-Bye Boring Sandwiches

Perfect Pork Pitas

Are you tired of the same, old sandwich in your school lunch?  Are you ready for something new?   Boy, are you lucky!   Cause, I have a great sandwich idea for you… PERFECT PORK PITAS!   They’re easy to make.   And super yummy too. Bye-bye boring sandwiches. Hello delicious lunch!

Ingredients:

Your Favourite BBQ SauceSome Leftover Pork (or Chicken or Beef)Small PITASShredded Cheese

Instructions:

1. Chop up the cooked pork (chicken or beef) and put in a bowl.  Add the bbq sauce and stir with a spoon until well mixed.

2. Cut each PITA in half to make pockets.

3. Spoon some BBQ meat into each pita pocket. Sprinkle some CHEESE on top.  (Optional:  Add some veggies like onions, carrots, lettuce, cucumber, peppers…)

Just like that… a quick and easy sandwich.  An exciting lunch for you!   BBQ PORK PITAS will soon become the new favorite!!!  Who’s up for seconds?

Rice Krispee Squares

So, you're walking down aisle #4 in the grocery store... and there they are... the pre-made, pre-packaged, pre-pared Rice Kristpee Squares.   And you think to yourself, "I bet my kids would love these".   

Well, I got news for you.  I know something they'll love even more... homemade Rice Krisppe Squares. 

Actually, they won't just love eating them... they'll love making them.  With a little adult supervision and assistance, this is a simple snack kids will enjoy making themselves.  My kids have been making them for years.

Lucky for you, the recipe is written on the inside of every Rice Krispee box. But to make it easy, I'll record it for you right here.   You'll soon discover just how easy it is to  make Rice Krispee Squares.  

Ingredients:

1/4  cup butter 

40 marshmallows 

1/2  tsp vanilla (optional) 

6 cups of Rice Krispees

Instructions:

1.  First, melt the butter in a large pot over low heat on the stovetop.  

2.  Then, add the marshmallows and stir.   Keep stirring until the marshmallows are all melted.   

3.  Turn off the stove, and add the vanilla.   Stir again. 

4.  Finally, add the Rice Krispees.   And stir one last time, until the cereal is coated with marshmallow. 

5.  Pour the mixture into a pan.  Press it down.  Let it cool.  Once it's cool, cut the snack into squares and pack them away into a reusable container.  

Ooey, gooey, delicious!  And super easy to make.  And best of all, practically waste-free.  There's no wasteful packaging.  

Applesauce Muffins

Tired of the same old muffins?   Blueberry.   Banana.  Chocolate Chip.  Well here's something new... Applesauce Muffins!   Yep, applesauce!  They're soooo yummy and super easy to make.  These muffins will soon become a family favourite.   

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg (beaten)
1 cup applesauce (here's a recipe for easy homemade applesauce)
1/2 cup butter (melted)

Instructions:

1. First, grab a large bowl and add your dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon & salt).  Mix them well.

2. Next, add your wet ingredients (egg, applesauce & butter).  Stir all together.  That's it... the muffin batter is ready, already.

3.  Then, spray a muffin pan with oil (or use paper baking cups).  Scoop the muffin batter into the muffin pan.  Try mini-muffins if you like.

4.  Now, bake the muffins at 375°F for about 18 minutes (less time for mini muffins).

That's it!  All done!  I told you applesauce muffins were simple.   Go ahead and give them a try.  You'll be glad you did.  These muffins will surely be a hit with your family.  Pack them in reusable containers for school snacks.  

Bear Paw Cookie Challenge

What's the big deal with packaged snacks anyway?  Do they taste better?   We decided to put our question to the test.   We called it... the Bear Paw Cookie Challenge.

Last week, during recess, we gave Jackman kids an opportunity to taste a Bear Paw cookie and a homemade cookie (courtesy of Mr. Cressman).  We asked, "Which cookie do you prefer?"   

In total, there were 345 kids were tested.  69 kids chose bear paws as their favourite cookie.  And an incredible 276 chose homemade cookies!  Wow… 80% of kids prefer homemade cookies.  That means 8 out of 10 kids prefer homemade cookies.

We think Jackman families should consider baking cookies more often.   We know it takes more time, but we think it's worth the effort.  Homemade cookies are very tasty!   And waste free!  Not to mention, they’re so much fun to make.  Why not make it a family baking experience?  Everyone can participate.  

And to encourage more home baking, Mr. Cressman has shared his delicious cookie recipe with Jackman families.  If you haven't noticed, it's posted here on this blog.   Along with other great recipes.   You can do it, Jackman.  

More baking, less garbage!