Health Nut Granola Bars

A few months ago one of my best friends shared a recipe on her blog for some delicious granola bars.  I have made made them a few times since she originally posted it and each recipe has had something different.  That's the beauty of a good granola bar recipe, you can throw in whatever you feel like and it typically turns out good.  Here is the link to Rebecca's blog "From the Pants to the Hat".  The recipe I will be sharing today is more on the organic, grains and nuts variety.  I recommend both, this is just what I made today for us :)

Ingredients:

2 c. rolled oats

1/4 c. pumpkin seeds

1/4 c. craisins

1/4 c. sunflower seeds

1/4 c. raw whole almonds

3 T pulverized chia seeds

1 c. whole wheat flour

1 c. honey

1/2 c. coconut oil

2 tsp. real vanilla

1 egg, beaten

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl and form a well in the middle.  

Measure out the liquid...if you are lazy do it like me in one measuring cup.  Pour into the well in the dry ingredients and mix with hands (i used a sturdy rubber scrapper and it worked well too.)

Spread in a greased 9x13 or 9x9 and bake for 18 min.

Allow the bars to cool for 5min and cut before they cool completely.  

After they have cooled, melt some dark chocolate chips in 10 sec intervals in the microwave. 

Fill a ziplock bag and drizzle on top of the bars.

 I wrap them individually in Saran wrap and put them in a freezer bag.  They keep for a long time when stored in the freezer.  And sorry for forgetting to flip this pic.

Nap Time Notions: Easy Playroom Curtain

This is the first post I'm filing under the the title of Nap Time Notions.  If I ever get around to doing or blogging my other projects, they will most likely be categorized under this title.  The whole point is these are projects you can do during those sacred hours (or hour) of the day where your little joys are down for their naps.  Don't feel badly if it takes two naps to accomplish.  

My playroom is an evolving place.  I someday hope it is as cute as it is functional.  I have several ideas of how to accomplish this goal...we shall see if I ever get around to it.  We have this fabulous window that lets in tons of natural light during the day.  It is way too bright in the mornings, but other than that it has very few flaws.  Out of necessity we had some old dark brown curtains that did not mesh well with my grey walls.  A few weeks ago we finally put up the blinds in here and it was an almost complete transformation.  Those silly brown curtains were still bugging the fire out of me, so I went to my fabric box and remembered I had 15 yards of a grey and neutral chevron that I was going to make into curtains in our old house.  I am sure that these will be out of style sooner than I would like, but thankfully, I'm not too worried about it.

Project:     Playroom Curtains with Unfinished Side Edges

Quantity:  4 Panels

Time:        1 Nap (and some for a mistake)

Step 1:  Measure your length and add 2 inches.

Step 2:  Iron your fabric.  Cut the correct amount.  Fold the cut ends twice and press. 

Step 3:  Hem the top and bottom to give a clean look.

Step 4:  Don't even touch the sides because the selvage edge is already finished for you. (this is if you are using a heavier fabric like duck) 

Step 5:  Gather the curtain in equidistant places along the top of the panel and clip with your curtain rings.

Step 6:  Hang up.

Step 7:  Notice where you got in a hurry and cut one panel about a foot too short.

Step 8:  The kids are up so you will fix it when they go to bed.

Happy Crafting