Peanut Butter Granola

Granola can be expensive at the store! Lets not even mention the price of cereal. With a hungry husband who could eat an average sized box of cereal in 2 days I am constantly trying to find ways to "get the most bang for my buck" when it comes to breakfast cereal. Sometimes that means mixing raisin bran with cheerios, or life cereal with granola, whatever the combination this recipe is SO easy and delicious and cheap, it makes me look forward to breakfast in the morning. Plus, I know all the ingredients in it.

The most expensive thing is the honey. The way I look at it, i'm still saving money on this granola rather than buying it at the grocery. Do the math. You could also substitute maple syrup or anything "sticky" with honey. It's all up to you! Honey is always the healthy option.

Peanut Butter Granola

• 2 tbsp. creamy peanut butter
• 2 tbsp. honey
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup. oats

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Grease cookie sheet. Combine peanut butter and honey in a bowl and microwave until peanut butter melts (approximately 20 seconds). Stir.

Stir cinnamon and vanilla into peanut butter and honey mixture.

Add oats and stir until oats are completely covered in peanut butter mixture. Spread out mixture onto prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until granola is slightly brown. Let cool until granola is crunchy. 

Chocolate Oatmeal

If you are like me, you dread even the idea of a mushy bowl of oatmeal in the morning. Anything else sounds better. Until this. If you are looking for a way to get more fiber into your diet without punishing yourself this is the recipe for you. In fact, this recipe almost tastes like a no bake cookie - what?! But it's not! Completely healthy ;) So go on a make yourself a nice heaping bowl of chocolate oatmeal you will not regret it!

Chocolate Oatmeal

• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 banana chopped
• 1 1/2 tbsp. cocoa powder
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar (or any type of sweetener) I go by taste. 

Combine everything except sugar/sweetener. Cook over medium high heat for 5-7 minutes. When it bubbles stir occasionally. Add brown sugar at the end to taste. 

Go ahead and indulge!

Buttermilk Whole Wheat Pancakes (without buttermilk!)

Now these are pancakes you can't get from a box. They are so good, and guilt free because they are whole wheat! I always try to go light on the syrup so as to not ruin a good thing. One quirky thing about my pancakes is that I cannot go without peanut butter on them! I blame my husband and his family for this. Like I need to put even more calories into pancakes than they already have. Well no going back now. Good thing is you have the option of leaving the peanut butter off of this recipe if you would like :)

Buttermilk Whole Wheat Pancakes (without buttermilk!)

• 1 egg (beat)
• 1 cup of buttermilk (1 cup of milk, and 1 tbsp. of white vinegar. Let sit for a couple minutes until it starts to curdle a bit). 
• 2 tbsp. butter - melted
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
• OPTIONAL: OATS**, Blueberries, almonds, peanuts, chocolate chips, cinnamon - whatever floats your boat!  

**I always add oats, it just makes it taste that much better!

Beat egg. Add remaining ingredients in order. How Simple! Put on the griddle or stove top and cook until done.