Healthy Hearty Granola

To start off, just as we start off the day, with breakfast!
This recipe is easy and very moldable - just throw in what you have and make substitutions where you will. The more nuts=the more protein=the more lasting will the energy it gives you be. This recipe is not too sweet at all, and has a nice ginger bite to it.
This would be a good recipe to make with kids, because you can't go wrong and they can practice their measurements while getting good and gooey mixing up all the ingredients.

Servings: this amount lasted me about a week.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Mix ingredients in large bowl:
3c rolled oats
2 tbs ground flax seed
2 ts minced ginger (I use The Ginger People)
1 ts cinnamon
1 ts almond extract
1 ts vanilla extract
2 tbs honey
2/3 C applesauce (I made my own: see below for EASY instructions)
2 tbs maple syrup
dash of salt
nuts (I prefer slivered almonds and walnuts)

Spread mixture out on cooking sheet, 1/2" or so thick. Place in oven and cook for 30-45 minutes, depending on how crunchy you like your granola. Mix granola frequently to prevent toasting on one side.

Remove from oven and let cool. Mix with dried fruit (dehydrated strawberries are generally good for granola, I like blueberries to go with the ginger flavor), and enjoy!

Applesauce
Cup up 2 large apples into chucks. I leave the skins on because I like their crunch in the granola, but feel free to peel the apples first.
Add to small pot with just enough water to cover the base. Add in several dashes of cinnamon. Cover pot.
Bring to a quick boil and reduce heat.
Cook until apples are soft. You can remove excess water along the way. There should be just enough that the apples don't burn.
Mash with a potato masher.
Measure out 2/3 C, let cool, and add to granola.
Enjoy the remainder while still hot for a yummy snack.