Let's talk breakfast.

Frustrated by the sheer volume of packaging versus the actual product, not to mention the amount of processing involved, I have taken cereal into my own hands. I have been making my own granola- yes, seriously. Turns out, I like it even better than any store bought brand. Of course I do- I can put anything I want to in it.

My basic recipe follows. I change the spices and fruit and nuts, but the rest is as easy as, well, you know... It is really good with yogurt.

Homemade Cereal
Heat together over low heat, stirring until viscous and blended.
3 Tbs coconut oil
1/3 C brown sugar
1/2 C honey
Pour over:
1 cup quick cooking, toasted oats
1 cup 5 grain cereal, (I use Old Wessex Ltd, available at Trader Joe's, but you can use more oats if you can't find it)
1/2 cup nuts and spices to taste (see below)
Mix well. Spread mixture in a thin layer on a cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes, then stir. Bake 15- 20 minutes longer, until brown. Stir again. Let the cereal settle in warm oven. Break it into bits, add 1/2 cup of dried fruit and store in an airtight container.
Here are the combinations I have tried so far:
Dried cherry, pecan, anise and cinnamon
Dried apple, walnut, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice
Dried mango and ginger with almond

Rice Cereal
I have also taken to adding milk. spices and dried fruit to leftover rice and eating it for breakfast. It is strangely familiar and satisfying.

2 cups cooked rice
enough milk to cover rice
1TBS fresh ginger
1TBS sugar or honey
pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg
1/4 cup dried currants

Stir it up, let soak overnight, and eat in the morning.