Granola

You can make this granola "regular" or fat-free...

4 cups rolled oats*
1 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup flax seed meal (optional)
1 cup raw chopped nuts, or to taste
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1/4 to 1/3 cup canola oil (can use applesauce as substitute)
1/4 - 1/2 cup honey (adjust to fit your own sweet tooth)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 - 1/2 cup water (use the lower amount if you're using more honey/oil/applesauce)

Preheat oven to 3oo degrees F.

In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients. In a seperate bowl, whisk together the oil/applesauce, water, vanilla and honey. Pour the liquid mix over the dry one, and toss until all the ingredients are well mingled (I do use my bare hands to do this). Spread in a lightly oiled baking sheet (9x13, 11x7, etc.)

Bake for 40 minutes to an hour, depending on how toasted you want it - stir it about every 15 minutes so it all gets evenly toasted. After it cools, stir it up a little and add a cup or so (or less) of dried fruit, coconut flakes (the unsweetened variety), etc. to taste. Store in a sealed container, preferably in the fridge due to the oil/applesauce. If it does suck up any moisture and get "chewy", simply heat it in a baking sheet again until crunchy.

*I use the thinner rolled oats because they're easier for kids to chew up, though you can use the really thick rolled oats too.