homemade muesli

Can we all agree that being sick is totally not fun? I'm pretty sure there isn't any questioning that, but hey jack {FREE CHOCOLATE CAKE IF YOU CAN NAME THAT SHOW}, I'm here to state the obvious. This week, I came down with a wicked cold. Ya know, you sound like a frog when you talk, your nose is running like Niagra Falls, you're coughing like nobody's bidness, and you're constantly sneezing your brains out? Yah, that. This is the life. 

For the first, oh I don't know, DAY, I was cool with skipping my morning run and taking the day off of school. But after day two. and three. and four. I was just about ready to lose my mind from being cooped up in the house so long and having to miss a week of my usual craziness. That aaaaaaaand I felt like a big fat whale on bed rest due to my FREAKISH amount of carb intake and lack of exercise. In case you didn't know, let me inform you of the sick person diet. It consists precisely of tacos. popcorn. ice cream. and crackers and peanut butter.

When I felt better, I ran {just kidding. not that great yet.} to the kitchen and decided a break from ice cream would be good. ENTER muesli. 

Did you guys know that there's a difference between muesli and granola? I had no idea this breakfast of the gods that is muesli even existed before I came to Africa. They have it in every grocery store and when we first got here, I thought, like everything else, it was just a weird "African name" for something I was familiar with. But- excuse me when I get all foodie slash nerd on you- muesli actually means "mush" in Swiss, because it's usually served "mushy" with milk or yogurt. Muesli was made in the early 1900's by a Swiss doctor who served his patients a diet that mainly consisted of grains. See, not only do I give you food, I teach you little nuggets of history. You're welcome.

Believe it or not, muesli is actually waaaaaaay easier AND healthier than my beloved granola. Literally, all you do is combine some coconut and oats on a cookie sheet, pop it in the oven to toast it for a few minutes, and then mix in whatever add ins your muesli loving heart so desires! That's it. It's healthier because unlike granola which has honey or sugar and oil in it- which ARE healthy sugars and fats... but they're still sugar and fat-  all muesli is is toasted oats, free of all that other stuff.

This recipe is SUPER quick, easier than anything else I've ever made, is as healthy as all get out, and supplies you with a big 'ol jar that will last you at least a couple days! I poured some muesli and milk in a little jar and popped it in the fridge overnight for breakfast the next morning. It was pretty mushy, but still had some crunch left from the raisins and sunflower seeds. I then topped it off with some yogurt and fresh fruit, and BOOM! You've got yourself one mightayy fine start to your day! Of course you don't have to soak the oats overnight. For minimum mush, just soak it 5-10 minutes in advance and you're good to go.

homemade muesli 

3 c. oats

3/4 c. coconut

1 tsp. nutmeg 

1 c. raisins

1 c. sunflower seeds

1 c. bran flakes

Preheat oven to 350ºF. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, mix together the oats, coconut, and nutmeg. Bake for 10-15 minutes, mixing around every couple minutes or until golden brown. After it's toasted, add in the raisins, sunflower seeds, and bran flakes {or whatever mix ins you'd like.} Pour into an airtight container or jar. Serve with yogurt or milk and fresh fruit.