Homemade granola is a great morning cereal with milk, eaten alone as a snack, or use it to layer between vanilla yogurt and fresh cut-up fruit for a deliciously easy breakfast parfait. Eating a variety of grains and fruits not only ensures that you get more nutrients, but also helps make your meals and snacks more interesting.

Granola Deluxe

8 cups old fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups wheat germ
8 ounces almonds
8 ounces cashews
8 ounces coconut, unsweetened large ribbon
3 ounces sunflower seeds
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup raisins

1. Mix first seven ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Heat water, oil, honey, and peanut butter until it begins to bubble. Remove from heat and add vanilla and pour over dry ingredients. Mix well and spread onto two large baking sheets.
3. Bake in 200°F (95°C) oven for about two hours or until coconut is golden. Stir occasionally while baking. Add raisins when cool. Store in an airtight container.

Makes about 12 cups.