Favorite Granola*  
 
This recipe is really easy and very healthy for your children with special needs or for anyone!
 
8 cups of rolled oats
1 cup of coconut
1 cup of sunflower seeds
1 cup of chopped almonds
1/2 cup of brown sugar. I use natural sugar such as Sucanat. You can also use Xylitol.
(This does not mess with blood sugar.)
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of Pear Milk* or water
2 tablespoons of vanilla
2 tablespoons of maple flavoring
 
Mix wet and dry ingredients separately then combine. Crumble and spread on cookie sheets. Bake at 275º stirring every 3 minutes for about 1 1/2 -2 hours, until lightly browned and dry. You could also put the oven lower as in 150 degrees for a longer period of time.
 
Puzzle Boy approved!
 
P.S. Put this wonderful granola in a large Ziploc bag and take on an outing. Camping would be lots of fun!
 
 

*Source: Country Kitchen Collection Cookbook.

  
     
 
     
   
         
   
     
 
     
  Pear Milk*  
 
1/3 – 1/2 cup of almonds or cashews
1 cup of water
1/4 teaspoon of vanilla
1/8 teaspoon of salt
1 tablespoon of honey
Canned pears
Juice of pears

Blend all ingredients except pears until creamy. Add enough canned pears and juice, depending on how think you want it, to make a quart of milk.
This milk recipe is great if there are milk allergies. I like to use my own home canned pears!

*Source: Country Kitchen Collection Cookbook.

  
     
 
     
   
         
   
     
 
     
  Coconut Oat Waffles  
 
These waffles are wheat, sugar, dairy, soy and egg free. This covers a lot of allergy ingredients.

8 c. oats
1 c. ground millet or cornmeal
1/2 c. coconut
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp vanilla
1 T. maple flavoring
1/2 c. almonds, ground fine (optional)

Mix first four ingredients together. Blend flavorings and nuts with part of the water until smooth. Mix with rest of water and pour over oat mixture. Let stand several hours or overnight. Blend well. (may need to add more water) Pour into hot waffle iron. Bake 10-12 minutes. Yields 12 waffles. Use any fruit, or warm or cold thickened fruit to top waffles with.

You can freeze the extra and put them in your toaster when you want another one! Place nut butter and warmed up homemade applesauce on top!		  
     
 
     
   
         
   
     
 
     
  One Dish Meal  
 
Sauté the following:
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. chopped celery
1/4 c. chopped green peppers

Add these ingredients when finished sautéing.

1/2 c. chopped cooked carrots
1/4 c. cooked peas (optional)
1 c. cooked garbanzo beans
3 c. cooked brown rice
1/4 c. chopped parsley
1 1/2 tsp. Chicken style seasoning or 1/8 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp. basil
1/8 tsp. oregano
1/2-1 tsp. salt

Mix all together and bake in a covered casserole dish at 350º for 30-40 minutes.
You could also add some chopped mushrooms.
This is an easy recipe. If you have a chopper, your special needs child may be able to even help you make this one!		  
     
 
     
   
         
   
     
 
     
  Lentil Soup  
 
This recipe includes veggies and protein. It is delicious! It is also not hard to do!

2c. lentils, uncooked
(I like to use the little French lentils but they both are good)
Onions
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Grated carrots
Bay leaves
Thyme sweet basil
Oil
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 qt. canned tomatoes

Add onions and lentils to 6 ½ c. water and boil for 45 minutes in covered saucepan. Add remaining ingredients except tomatoes. When it returns to a boil, add tomatoes, then simmer until done, about 20-30 minutes.
The nice thing about this recipe is that you can use your intuition. This is your creative side. Add as many veggies as you want. Season to taste. You really can’t go wrong except with the salt, and it is measured out for you! Hint: If you put in too much salt, add more chopped potatoes, it will soak up the salt!		  
     
 
     
   
         
   
     
 
     
  Granola Bars  
 
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup coconut
1 T. vanilla
3 T. flour of your choice
1/4 tsp. salt
4 cups granola

Warm and soften in saucepan first four ingredients. Mix together remaining ingredients. Combine all together. Press into oiled pan, preferably a Pampered Chef large bar pan stoneware. The stoneware will keep the granola bars moister on the inside with a chewier crust and keep them from burning. Bake at 350° for approximately 10-20 minutes.
These are great to take on a trip. Carry them around as an emergency snack. Much better than a candy bar!		  
     
 
     
   
         
   
     
 
     
  Banana Nut Cookies  
 
3 ripe bananas
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup nut butter
1/4 teaspoon of vanilla
2 cups rolled oats

Mash bananas and add remaining ingredients. Let stand 15 minutes. Drop on oiled cookie sheet. Once again, the Pampered Chef bar pan stoneware is a great choice! This will keep things from burning and make them moister.
Make for 20-25 minutes at 350º Cool 5 minutes on pan before removing with small spatula.
These are so healthy, you can actually eat them for breakfast! Put some nut butter on top. Mmmmm!