Caregivers in Greenfield, IN

Being a family caregiver for your elderly parents means you likely have a busy schedule that keeps you running from task to task all day. This often means you do not have the chance to stop and eat. Having high-nutrition snacks readily available fends off those hunger pangs and afternoon energy slumps so you can power through your responsibilities and keep your cravings for unhealthy junk food at bay.

This recipe is for homemade granola that is hearty, delicious, and satisfying with a combination of whole grains, nuts, and dried fruits for complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, healthy fats, and protein so it fills you up, keeps you fuller, longer, and provides powerful energy to keep you going. Enjoy it by the handful right out of a zipper bag while running errands, sprinkle it on top of Greek yogurt for some crunch, or even eat it with soy or almond milk for an energy-rich, vegan start to your day.

What You Will Need

• 4 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 cups of sweetened shredded coconut
• 2 cups of sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup of local honey
• 3/4 cup of vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups of small diced and dried apricots
• 1 cup of dried cherries
• 1 cup of small diced and dried figs
• 1 cup of roasted, unsalted cashews
• 1 cup of dried cranberries
• 1 large bowl
• 1 small bowl
• Wooden spoon
• 1 13 x 18 by 1 inch sheet pan
• 1 spatula

What to Do

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
• Place the old fashioned rolled oats into the large mixing bowl. Make sure that you are not using quick or instant oats, as these will not create the right texture for your granola
• Add the 2 cups of sweetened shredded coconut and mix with the wooden spoon
• Add in the 2 cups of sliced almonds and mix until all of the ingredients are evenly distributed
• In a small bowl add the 3/4 cup of vegetable oil and the 1/2 cup of local honey
• Whisk they oil and honey together until as consistent as possible
• Pour your mixture over the oat mixture in the large bowl
• Stir with the wooden spoon or use a rubber spatula so it releases more easily after stirring
• Stir until all of the oats and nuts appear to be coated by your oil mixture
• Pour the entire contents of your large bowl onto the 13 by 18 by 1 inch sheet pan and put in the oven
• Stir the mixture occasionally with a heat resistant spatula to prevent burning
• Bake and stir until the mixture turns an even and golden brown color, which should take around 45 minutes
• Remove the granola from the oven
• Allow to cool, stirring occasionally
• When the granola is cool enough to handle, add in the 1 ½ cups of dried apricots
• Next add the cup of dried figs and stir
• Next add the cherries and cranberries
• Finally, add the cashews and stir them in until all of the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the oat mixture
• Now allow the granola to sit until completely cool
• Store your granola in an airtight container

The professionals at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs. Great Care is a non medical in-home care agency providing quality and affordable caregivers in Greenfield, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (317) 595-9933 for more information.