Peanut Butter Granola

Going on a road trip with my sister and 4 nieces...gonna need snacks. I was originally going to make a snack mix recipe that has pretzels, cereal, cheez it's, and ramen noodles but when I told Dave I wanted to make it he "forbid" me from having anything with orange powdery cheese on it in the car! I said "excuse me, we are adults and aren't going to get cheez it's in the car, duh". Then he went on a minor rant about how there's already glitter embedded in the car that he can't get out and to please not add orange powdery cheese to the mess I've made LOL. I laughed, rolled my eyes, and found a different recipe just in case we actually do make an orange mess in the car hahahaha. So we have peanut butter granola instead - if we don't eat it all in the car it'll be great added to some plain greek yogurt for breakfast.

• 1/3 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1/3 cup honey or pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup chopped toasted nuts (almonds, peanuts, etc.)
• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 325'
2. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
3. In a glass bowl, combine peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, vanilla, coconut oil, and salt. Melt until the ingredients are smooth and well combined. (took me just a few seconds on high).
4. In a large bowl combine the oats and nuts. Pour the peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon until evenly coated.
5. Spread the granola onto the prepared baking sheet, bake for 15-20 minutes stirring a couple times.
6. Let the granola cool completely before stirring in the chocolate chips if you are using.

Yields 4 1/2 cups of granola. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. 

found the recipe at Mels Kitchen Cafe.

Peppermint Sugar Scrub

Made this quick sugar scrub for some girlfriend gifts - literally took me 5 minutes. Actually it took me longer to tie the twine on the jar and get it to stay than it did to make the scrub! Smells great, and is totally edible if you get hungry while showering LOL.

Mix together 1 cup white sugar with 1/4 cup coconut oil (coconut oil is solid at room temperature, just micro it for a few seconds and it will liquify), 1 teaspoon peppermint extract and a drop of green food coloring. Use more of the peppermint and color if you want either stronger - I was going for pale green and just a hint of peppermint. Stir until all of the ingredients are incorporated - if it seems a little dry just add a bit more oil until you get the consistency you want - then spoon into a pretty jar. I tied on a label with a length of bakers twine to finish.