A Healthy Homemade Gift

I have several friends who have really been great examples to me when it comes to embracing food that is nourishing. It is quite humorous when we get together, it’s not but a few minutes before the subject of food is brought up.  We discuss brands of food, where to shop, and recipes we love, among many other things. I love foodie friends!  It is often I will get a text from a friend letting me know what is on sale and where, or “the clementines are really good right now at…” It is really fun to have friends who care about what I care about.  I have learned much from them, and I want to give them a special lil’ somethin’ for Christmas.

I’ve been keeping my eye open for a fun, homemade, edible gift that I can put together.  Something just simple, easy, nourishing, different and low in sugar.  Well, my eye finally found what it was looking for! I recently participated in a crockpot recipe blog carnival over at Passionate Homemaking.  I found so  many great recipes, but one made me very excited.  It was the perfect homemade gift that my healthy foodie friends would appreciate.  It is…

…ok, I just hesitated to tell you because now that I have talked it up, you will probably think…WHAT?  Who would want THAT for Christmas?  Let me prepare you.  It’s not cookie mix in a jar or fabulous fudge…remember, it is for my friends who get excited talking about what the best substitute for sugar is or how to substitute a healthier fat in a recipe.  Now that you have been warned, I will proceed.

Cranberry & Flax Multi-Grain Cereal …Made In A Crock-Pot
(don’t say I didn’t warn you..)
Seriously, I think they will love it.  It is different, sugar- free, nourishing, and easy! The recipe was posted by “Monkeys On. The. Bed.” I am grateful to her, and look forward to browsing her very cute blog.
 I plan on making a mix with the dry ingredients and packaging it cute, with the instructions printed and tucked inside.  The only wet ingredients in the recipe is water and applesauce, so it will be very easy to make.  It cooks in the crock pot overnight…mmmm, imagine waking up to a house that smells like cinnamon! (at least that is what I am hoping for!)  I am going to put it in my crockpot tonight.  I quick mixed some together so I could take a picture for this blog post.  I am participating in another blog carnival for homemade gifts and will be submitting this post.  The Carnival is over at Nourishing Gourmet, you must check it out!  This site is full of great recipes and tips on healthy eating.  I can’t wait to see other homemade gift ideas that will be posted!! (I’ve already seen one for fudge, so head on over there!)

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 5 cups water
• 2.5 cups natural applesauce
• 1.5-2 cups dried unsweetened dried cranberries (or any dried fruit)
• 1 heaping tsp ground ginger
• 2 heaping tsp ground cinnamon
• 6 Tbl steel-cut oats
• 6 Tbl wheat bran
• 1/2 cup long-grain brown rice
• 1/4 cup pearled barley
• 3 Tbl yellow cornmeal
• 2 Tbl flaxseed 

                                                                             Dash of Salt
                                                                           11/2 tsp vanilla

 I just realized my foodie friends read my blog and will now know what they are getting for Christmas.  Oops!  Oh well…:)
For Going Green Packages and Toppers Part 1, Click here.