Find Your Magic

This post is from the old website archives. I’m sharing because I love this recipe and also, because I love that I’ve been able to hold onto this little bit of simple at Christmastime for the last several years.

be happy… K

I have the best mom~ she is kind and loving and giving to a fault....and I've discovered, quite recently, that she is also magical. Christmas time when I was a girl was always special. Presents appeared under the tree day after day... cookies got baked AND decorated... goodie plates full of said cookies, homemade candies and handwritten notes were delivered to dozens of friends... Mom was always (and still is) dressed in a holiday sweater, with flawless make-up and pretty hair ... AND the house was always clean. That might not seem so magical to you, but I should mention, she also worked 40 hours a week, drove Shelley and I to swim practice nightly and she never, ever, EVER got mad or frustrated or overwhelmed.... not ever.

I've tried, quite unsuccessfully, to live up to that standard for 30 years, since Zach's first Christmas. I usually get the tree up and dust off the mantle, so I can toss a few sprigs of plastic greenery and lights up there. Once I didn't have to worry about curious climbers anymore, I added candles here and there to try to create the warmth I always felt at home. I've sliced rolls of cookies and made caramel and fudge ... I've even stayed up until 2am a time or two, to wrap gifts, set up trains and address cards (so they arrive before the middle of January)....

The thing is that I've never found my magic... you know, that one little piece of the holiday that makes it perfect for everyone around me... I find that I get cranky, because I am still shopping on the 23rd and the cards haven't been addressed... I get frustrated because the PERFECT meal didn't happen or someone is late to the table... I get mad because I feel like I'm spinning my wheels.

So.... In an effort to honor the season, I've decided to adjust my view of perfection and find my magic.... the mantle is beautiful... lights twinkle on the deck and around the bookshelves in the kitchen... I have just 2 gifts left to find (because I bought several of the same thing)... I'm slowing down- reading by candlelight in the early mornings and going to sleep earlier than I have in years... and I've completed my holiday baking...this year it's Kim style- easy, healthy and efficient. I mixed a bowl of dry with a bowl of wet, spread it out on cookie sheets and stirred it every 15 minutes for a couple of hours...

I think it's good enough to be gift worthy- I hope my mom approves :)

Be happy… and Merry Christmas

This granola is super easy. I've added egg whites and reduced the sugar of the typical recipe to try to make it a healthy treat. I'll sprinkle it on yogurt for a balanced snack.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 2 cups Earnest Eats Cocoa Cashew Super Food Oatmeal

• 1 cup cashews

• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds

• 1/8 cup hemp seeds

• 1/8 cup chia seeds

• 3/4 cup shredded sweet coconut

• 2 egg whites

• 3 tablespoons maple syrup

• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

2. In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, seeds and coconut

3. In a separate bowl, combine egg whites, maple syrup, and coconut oil.

4. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans.

5. Cook for 75 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.

6. Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl.

7. Cool and package for gifting.