How 'bout them apples?

I had this idea that I just had to try... My kids love peanut butter and apples... my kids love peanut butter and honey on apples... but what would happen if, let's say, we took the apples and the honey and peanut butter and dipped them in the granola? I was going for a sort of a candied apple treat that had no candy and was somewhat healthy... So I had to test out my idea... as a lover of crunchy apples and all things peanut butter and all things granola I have to say that this was one WOW of an afternoon snack!

Ingredients per medium sized apple:

2 tbs of peanut butter, regular or chunky
1-2 tsp honey
1/2 cup of granola -- you will not use it all

Directions:

Wash and slice apples
In a bowl place peanut butter and honey and place in microwave for about 35 seconds
Using a fork blend the peanut butter and honey mixture
Using a knife spread some of the mixture onto the apple
Either dip the apple into the granola or using a spoon sprinkle a very generous amount of granola over the apple slice... you may need to repeat another time or so.
Repeat until all the apple slices have been covered.

We ate this as our afternoon snack but this would be fabulous for breakfast...

It would also be great over bananas!

(Healthy) Breakfast, Lunch, Snack or Dinner...

My new favorite sweet treat is Greek yogurt with a little bit of honey drizzled over the top and some home made granola. I could eat this all day long. It's perfect for any meal or a snack. I like Fage or Choban 0 fat and I add the honey and granola myself. I can't wait to have another one for breakfast! Be careful with the granola, however. I have been eating it as though it is going out of style!

Granola

1 container of Quaker Oats (or your preference) - Not quick cook
1 cup of raisins
1 cup of cranberries
1/2 cup of sunflower seeds
1/2 - 1 cup of sliced almonds
1/2 cup of wheat germ
1/2 cup of canola oil
1/4 cup of honey
1/4 brown sugar

In a large bowl mix all your ingredients together until well blended.
Place on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with a non-stick spray. Spread mixture so that it is evenly distributed. Bake at 300 for 1 hour. Let cool and harden.

Peanut Butter and Honey Granola Bites...

I have a weakness for granola... Ok, I have a weakness for all sorts of food. But crunchy, sweet granola that is a little bit healthy I just adore!

Ok, this version may be a tad bit less healthy than my other versions. You could toss in some wheat germ for good measure... But this version is like a sweet treat, almost peanut brittle-like. Super easy to make. Hurry up, get your oats on... you'll thank me... Big time!

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of butter
1/3 cup of brown sugar
1/3 cup of good quality honey
3 cups of rolled oats (NOT the instant variety)
1 cup of honey roasted peanuts
1 cup of plain or dry roasted sunflower seeds (I'm all about the salt in this sweet and salty treat!)
1 cup peanut butter chips

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

Directions:

In a small saucepan melt butter and add brown sugar and honey. (I like to spray the measuring cup with Pam before I add the honey. The honey will slide out effortlessly this way.)
Combine until all is well blended.

In a large mixing bowl pour in your oats. Add honey mixture and with a spatula mix well so that all the oats are coated. Add in peanut butter chips, sunflower seeds and peanuts. Mix well. The peanut butter chips will melt. This is exactly what you want to happen!

Spray a brownie pan with your non stick spray and add your granola mixture. Spread evenly and distribute across the pan.

Bake for 30 - 35 minutes.

Remove from oven and place in freezer to cool and harden. 15 - 20 minutes. Break apart like peanut brittle. No need for plates... you'll be elbow deep in it before you can get to the cupboards!

No Monkey Business Banana Bread

This recipe uses honey and yogurt and the flavors compliment the bananas without overpowering them.

3 lg. very ripe bananas

1 cup vanilla yogurt

3/4 cup dark brown sugar

1 cup of clover honey

2 eggs

3 cups of unbleached flour

2 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1. In a large bowl mash bananas (use a potato masher if you have one!)

2. Add yogurt and mash together
3. Add honey and mash together -- you may want to reuse the measuring cup you used for the yogurt or spray a little non-stick oil into the measuring cup before you measure out the honey.

4. Add brown sugar and mash
5. Add flour, baking powder, vanilla, eggs and mix until well blended

6. Pour into 2 greased loaf pans

7. Cook for 45 minutes to an hour, checking for doneness after 45 minutes. Should be a nice lightly golden brown.

Let cool about 15 minutes before serving.