Stir up some breakfast yum with your own custom granola cereal!

Using a handful of pantry ingredients (if you don't normally have these ingredients in your pantry, they can be found in any grocery store) and some dried fruit(s) and nuts, you and your kids can make a batch of wholesome, delicious granola that far exceeds grocery store varieties both in value, nutrition and taste!

Ingredients include walnuts, which are rich in Omega-3s and protein; wheat germ, which is an excellent source of Vitamin E and Folic Acid (super important if you're pregnant or of child-bearing age); heart-healthy rolled oats are a great source of fiber and helps reduce cholesterol and cranberries, which are great antioxidants - and 1/3 cup equals one serving of fruit. Delicious and good for you - those two don't always come together in one recipe, but they do here!

Once you’ve mastered the recipe, you can have fun customizing it with your favorite things – try different dried fruits and nuts.

If you’re feeling a little daring, and not worried too much about your waistline, add in chocolate chips or m&ms.

This granola recipe is my all-time favorite; I got it from my “health-nut” sister who got me addicted to it – thanks Jen! When mixed with milk or low-fat yogurt it makes a terrific and delicious breakfast.

My usual breakfast consists or coffee and yogurt mixed with this granola (sometimes this, minus the coffee, is my dinner, too!) My daughters and husband love to snack on it as is. I make two batches about every two weeks so my pantry is always stocked with it!

• 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup wheat germ
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil (I use Canola)
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup water
• 6 oz. package dried cranberries

Preheat your oven to 300°.

In a large bowl, mix together rolled oats, wheat germ, chopped walnuts, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt.

Make a well in the middle and add the oil, honey and water.

Mix well.

Spread evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

Allow it to cool completely in the pan. Once it’s cooled, add the cranberries, mix and enjoy!

For those who don’t like nuts, you can omit the walnuts and add a variety of dried fruits, like pineapple, cherries, blueberries and mango. If you’re not a walnut fan, you can replace them with another nut, such as walnuts or cashews.

I have to tell you, though, that I’m not a fan of walnuts, but because I know how healthy they are I make this recipe as shown and the walnuts don’t bother me one bit. What really makes this granola for me are the dried cranberries; they add that little sweet kick that thoroughly satisfies my sweet tooth and the rest of the granola satisfied that “crunch” desire.

Thanks for stopping by!