Granola with Berries, Dates, and Nuts. Whole Grain and High Protein with Antioxidants.

Ingredients:

4 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1/4 cup of sunflower seeds
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup crushed pecans
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
1/3 cup of honey
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/2 cup of chopped dates
1/2 cup of dried cranberries, cherries, or blueberries or a combination
of all three

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. Stir oats, almonds, coconut, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, pecans, cinnamon, and salt together in a large mixing bowl.

3. Melt butter and honey over low heat in a small saucepan, add vanilla extract and stir.

4. Pour over oat mixture and stir until well blended.

5.  Spread on a large baking sheet.

6.  Put in the oven for 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.  Oats should be slightly browned and crispy when done.

7. Remove from oven.

8. Pour back into large bowl and add berries and dates.  Stir until combined.

**Tips:

1.  Keep granola in a sealed container and it will last for a week unrefrigerated.

2.  Put all of the ingredients, that you will not be using on a regular basis, in a large plastic storage bag.  Label the bag so when you want to make your recipe again, you don't have to look everywhere for the ingredients.