COOKING WITH CLORIS - RASPBERRY APRICOT ALMOND GRANOLA

Raspberry Apricot Almond Granola

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup almond slivers

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1/4 cup dried raspberries

1/4 cup dried apricots, cut into raspberry sized pieces

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl combine oats and almonds.

Simmer honey, sugar, and oil in a saucepan until mixture thickens. Add vanilla and almond extracts. Pour over oat/almond mixture. Toss to coat.

Spread mixture on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake approximately 30 minutes until mixture begins to brown. Stir every 10 minutes while baking.

Add raspberries and apricots after mixture cools.

HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE - TIP OF THE DAY

I read an article recently that said guzzling coffee without food to keep you going during the day is like revving the engine of your car with no gas in the tank. Why? Because although it gives you a quick energy boost, it doesn’t provide you with any nutrients. Therefore, you may wind up crashing and burning.

The article recommended that you snack on a handful of nuts (almonds are great!) or try some veggie sticks dipped in hummus along with your java.


Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of a book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE-- EAT YOUR WAY TO BEAUTIFUL SKIN

Beauty editor Nicole Emmerling is here today with a snack recipe to keep our skin looking young, beautiful, and wrinkle free. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia. According to dermatologist David Colbert, “Skin is a matrix of proteins, water, and fats that need a non-processed food supply for replenishment.” So the next time you have the munchies, grab something that will not only crave your hunger but also help you maintain your skin’s health.

When you were growing up, were you told to stay away from chocolate because it causes acne? Lots of us were, but it turns out that’s an old wives tale. Dark chocolate with 72% or higher cacao content is full of antioxidants that are good for your skin. 

Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant that helps prevent UV damage. A handful of almonds will supply you with a one-two punch of both vitamin E and the fat your skin needs to stay healthy.

 Then there’s the blueberry, full of both antioxidants and vitamin C, which protects collagen.

So mix up a batch of your own very special, skin protecting snack mix -- equal parts almonds, blueberries (dry or fresh) and dark chocolate chips. Your skin will thank you.

Sounds like a great recipe. Thanks, Nicole! Maybe Cloris can whip us up some chocolate-almond-blueberry muffins. -- AP