Granola Bars Revamped -

The original version was pretty good, but you gotta try this:

I reduced the amount of peanut butter, added marshmallows, & also added ground flax seed & wheat germ for more fiber & nutrition. Can't even taste it in there, so the kids won't know! Here's the basic recipe. I don't usually measure exactly. I kinda guess on the liquid stuff. MORE of the items to melt is better than less, because it's the glue. You don't want it dry & crumbly.

(I've changed a couple of things from the old version, and it seems to work a little better for me. AND - I usually double this recipe, cause we eat them a lot!)

3 c. regular oats
1 1/2 c. rice krispies
1 c. chocolate chips (semi sweet)
1 c. mini marshmallows
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. honey
1/4 c. peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. wheat germ (optional)
1/4 c. ground flax seed (optional)

Mix oats, rice krispies, wheat germ, flax seed, and HALF of chocolate chips in large mixing bowl.

Mix other half of chocolate chips, brown sugar, honey, marshmallows, peanut butter, & vanilla in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir well. Microwave for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until completely melted & pourable.

Pour over top of dry mix. With large sturdy spoon (wood or stainless work best) - mix until well coated & gewey.

Transfer mixture to large casserole dish or jelly roll pan & spread to edges. Top with a large piece of wax paper, & begin firmly pressing granola bars flat. The wax paper keeps your hands clean :)

Allow to cool (about 1/2 hour or so)... then cut into bars. I cut mine into small squares.

You can individually wrap each bar in saran wrap for a quick grab & go snack, or store them in an airtight container.

*If you want them to look more 'chunky' - like rocky road style, add an extra 1/2 cut of marshmallows to the dry ingredients. They'll melt a little, but there will be small areas of white marble mixed in. The kids will love it!

Salmon Heaven

So, my husband doesn't like salmon. He is not a fan of fish. However... if you have someone in your family who claims to not like salmon, try this:

Big fat salmon filet
Strawberry Peach Salsa (or other fruity salsa)

Pour salsa all over the top of the salmon & stick it under the broiler (about 5-10 minutes)...

This time I happened to use Costco's Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce. It was sooo yummy! Any kind of sauce, salsa, jam, etc... that has a sweet/fruity taste to it will work.

Here's a closeup of the one I made last night. I let the edges of the sauce get gummy & the the edges of the fish get just a tad overdone. The middle of the fish was tender & sweet. Perfect. Husband & kids all loved it!

I have returned :)

After several months of being addicted to Facebook, I have returned to my little blogging world. Let's see if I keep up with it this time. Who knows... We're hopeful, right?

Here are a few recent pics of some of my storage/organizing tactics:


I picked up one of those really cool steel commercial restaurant shelving units from Costco the other day. It has customizable shelves & panels to keep items from falling off. Each shelf holds up to 600 pounds!

I'm continuously reorganizing my pantry. Seems like I'm always looking for a better solution. I do keep my #10 cans up on the top shelf, because I don't use them often, it's out of the way, & there's TONS of room up there.

I finally purchased Gamma Lids! It took me forever to do it, because I didn't want to pay shipping... Then our Walmart finally got them in stock. I LOVE them & recommend them to everyone!!! They are the best. Air tight seals & screw off lid - can't get any better than that! I just refill the buckets in my pantry when they get empty, & I always have access to my most used things - (flour, sugar, oatmeal, rice, etc...)

If you don't have them, you gotta get them!