Homemade Maple Granola Cereal

Granola is a favorite of mine.
It doesn't matter whether it's in the form of a snack bar or a cereal... it's all yummy!
Store bought granola can be expensive when you consider the small amount that you get in the box for the price that you pay for it so I thought I would try making a batch of my own.
I never realized how easy and inexpensive it is to make. You get so much more for your money and you could make it in so many different flavors. I chose to use maple syrup in mine for a bit of flavor but next time I'll try adding some other flavors like peanut butter, almond or maybe I'll even add some dried fruit to it.
The possibilities are endless.

Maple Granola Cereal

8 cups oatmeal
1 1/2 cups wheat germ
2 cups walnuts, chopped fine
2 cups graham crackers, crushed (not ground fine)
3 sticks butter
1 3/4 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. vanilla
1-2 tsp. maple syrup

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Melt butter in a medium saucepan.
Add sugar, honey, salt, soda and syrup to butter and mix all together.
Pour over dry ingredients and toss to coat well.
Spread mixture onto 2 large greased baking sheets.
Bake at 250° for 1 hour.
Be sure to stir every 15 minutes to that it doesn't burn.
Let cool and then store in an airtight container.

** Did you Know? **
There are 8 different B vitamins that work together and are needed by every part of your body. Because B vitamins are not stored well by your body, you need to eat foods every day that contain these vitamins. Liver and *wheat germ* are the only foods that contain all of the B vitamins.

The weather this weekend was beautiful. My themometer read 83° on Saturday. It was a bit breezy which made for a super workout when we rode our bikes. That extra wind sure provided lots of resistance for our bike trek on our journey south to home.
Sunday was more of the same but not quite as breezy. Katie went with us on that day and she was pooped by the time we made it back to the truck.
I didn't get my bathroom painted nor any sewing done but I did get caught up on some blog reading as well as some paper work that needed done here at the house. I got a start on my Christmas shopping (it's gonna be here before we know it) and managed to take the time to sit and watch a whole movie *Letters to Juliet* from beginning to end without any interruptions.
It was a nice relaxing weekend so I'm good and ready to tackle the week ahead.
Hope you have a great Monday!