a healthy start

When returning to school and work this week after a wonderful holiday break, like many families the start of the new year was a little...rough.  Icy snowy weather made driving conditions just a little slower, and the process was slowed down even further as children sleepily resisted returning back to a regular morning routine in arctic cold temperatures.

Before the polar vortex arrived yesterday, earlier this week I realized that our son had ripped his gloves during our ski excursion over the holidays, and I was on the search for a new pair.  After visits to eight various stores, shelves that were filled just last week with warm, waterproof winter gloves are now replaced with little bathing suits, like little hints to remind us why we should buy the yoga outfits and workout gear, just a few shelves away.  

With New Year's resolutions abound, a fresh start and a renewed way to look at our daily lives invoking us to begin things like new workout routines and eating healthier, I thought about those store shelves promoting those exercise items.  

I wondered if what seemingly appears to promote physical health actually creates anxiety...to rush us through to the next season, finding goals to achieve so we can enjoy later (like fitting into that bathing suit), instead of loving where we stand now.  To live in the moment and indulge in the opportunities presented to us today, instead of trying to buy the next thing to eventually do in the future.  

It's like looking for those winter gloves.  How can we embrace the winter season now, and enjoy those physical activities that are available to us today, if the only thing available are bathing suits and yoga outfits?

Well, luckily I eventually did find a pair of warm gloves, and we are ready to embrace the cold weather.  It's a healthy start to a bright day and beautiful season...so we can enjoy, today.

Easy Banana Granola

This recipe is easily adaptable...varying the spices and add-on ingredients can change the taste drastically (think of adding exotic dried fruit, or even chocolate chips for the sweet tooth!).  The granola can be made in an hour and stored in a sealed container for up to 5 days.  Double the recipe and you might have enough for a family of four to eat before work or school.  A great and healthy breakfast to start the day and new year.

Ingredients

• 1 Banana
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. hot water
• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp. ground cloves
• 3 cups quick cooking oats
• Dried fruit, sliced almonds, to taste. (optional)

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
• Mash the banana, then add the sugar, water, vanilla and spices.  
• Toss with oats until well coated (about 5 minutes of mixing well).
• Toss fruit and almonds (I sometimes leave this out for those with nut allergies.  This can be added after baking)
• Spread onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Bake for approximately 1 hour to 1 ½ hours until toasted.
• Serve on top of yogurt and fruit.

Enjoy!