Breakfast in bed. Except at work.

Well hello Valentines Week! I love the idea of celebrating love and look forward to February 14th every year. I have a few select traditions for Valentines Day, but most of them involve my kids. And although I really love my kids, (even while we're off track right now--heaven help us), I always wish I put more effort into appreciating my sweet supportive husband. I think at times he gets the leftovers of my attention from the festivities of the day. So this year I want to change that. Just a little.

Every year for breakfast on Valentines Day I make my family heart waffles. (Lest you think I actually cut out waffles with heart cookie cutters, or intricately pour the batter JUST right to make a heart; we were given a heart waffle maker for our wedding. And it gets used once a year.) My husband can never stick around long enough to partake of said waffles, so he just eats breakfast at work. That usually involves a bowl of Lucky Charms or a Protein Shake. But not this year! This year I'm going to surprise him. I'll send him with breakfast in bed. That he'll eat at his desk. A main player in this breakfast will be a Mason Jar full of my granola. It lasts weeks, super versatile, and extremely portable. I thought maybe some of YOU would also like to send your husbands breakfast in bed...or your neighbor, or new-mom friend, or even yourself! So I thought it would be fun to share this recipe. And I'd love to hear how you appreciate your loved ones on Valentines Day!

BASIC GRANOLA

4 c. Old Fashioned Oats
2 c. Shredded Coconut
2 c. Sliced Almonds
1 c. dried fruit (Craisins are our favorite)
1/2 c. Oil (I use coconut, but canola or vegetable works)
3/4 c. Honey

Additional add-ins: chia seeds, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, flaxseed, brown sugar, cinnamon, pinch of nutmeg--just play with it and adjust to your taste! You'll feel like a fancy chef, I promise.

Add all the ingredients into a large bowl and get it good and mixed with your hands. (My kids love this job). Spread it out in a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Cool on wax paper. Store in airtight container.

That's it! We eat it over yogurt, as cereal, on top of pancakes or oatmeal, or just plain as a snack.

Isn't it pretty? Now the trick is to hide it from the kids till Friday. Wish me luck. Did I mention they're off track?

Love Brooke