As we know well, good nutrition is incredibly important to a growing child, but it also has to be tasty and appealing. In keeping with that goal, homemade granola is a wonderful food for children. Not only can they have it with milk for breakfast, but it makes for a nutritious portable snack anytime and anyplace. It is a perfect finger food for those independent two year olds, who would rather “do it themselves!” I do hope the little ones in your lives will enjoy this healthy recipe! Enjoy.

HOMEMADE GRANOLA

INGREDIENTS:

½ cup pumpkin seeds

½ cup sunflower seeds

½ cup of any other nuts: cashews, almonds, walnuts

1 tablespoon white sesame seeds

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

3 to 4 shakes of cardamom

Light sprinkle of nutmeg

Light sprinkle of ground ginger

2 cups of rolled oats

¼ cup of Earth Balance organic vegan buttery spread

½ cup of real maple syrup

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Place the seeds, nuts and spices in a dry frying pan to roast. Stir the mixture and shake the pan frequently until the mixture releases a fragrant aroma, about 7 minutes or until the mixture has turned a golden brown.

Liquify the Earth balance separately and pour over the mixture and work it in well with a spatula. Add the maple syrup and work that in until the mixture is starting to stick together.

Spread the mixture out on a non stick baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes. Be careful not to burn on the bottom. After cooling, break the granola into bite sized chunks and store in a mason jar.  Enjoy!

WARNING: This granola should only be given to children with molars who can chew well. If not, it could be a choking hazard.