Nosegay is one of those silly sounding words that back in seventh grade would have given my best friend and me the extreme giggles. During those Keiser Junior High days, everything was extraordinarily hilarious and something as simple as a funny word (such as nosegay) would often push us over the edge earning us a trip to the principal’s office for classroom disruption. I call those the Giggle Box Years. And though I may seem to be rambling, I do plan to tie all this together, you’ll see if you keep reading. Promise.Continue Reading
Lavender Blueberry Granola
I love granola, but buying it pre-made can make a dent in the pocketbook. I whipped up a batch of my own using Martha Stewart’s Blueberry Almond granola recipe for inspiration. I modified Martha’s ingredients, eliminating the vegetable oil and coconut and adding flax seed and lavender which I have growing in my back yard. (Lavender not flax seed…)
Lavender’s health benefits help aid in digestion plus this herb adds a light floral flavor to whatever you are baking—not overwhelming, just a fresh taste. (I try to throw herbs into all my dishes. The antioxidants are healing, so why not?)
I was pleasantly surprised at how quick and easy homemade granola is to make.
Lavender Blueberry Granola
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats I used Quaker
- 3/4 cup raw slivered almonds
- 1/4 cup flaxseed whole, not ground
- 1/4 cup local honey I use Zip Code honey from Texas Honeybee Guild
- 1 Tablespoon lavender buds chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 cup dried blueberries
Notes
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients except blueberries. Right about now you’ll be thinking wait, this looks strangely like that concoction she made a few months ago for Valentine birdseed feeders… I agree. It does. And although both are edible, this is much better tasting (for humans).
3. Fold in blueberries.
4. Spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Cool. Transfer to your preferred container for storage.
6. Serve with yogurt or ice cream, sprinkle on salads, add to rice pudding, or leave in a Mason jar beside the coffee pot and take a bite every time you walk into the kitchen.
If you don’t have access to lavender, you can order organic culinary lavender from Hood River Lavender. My husband and I visited Hood River Lavender (Oregon) last summer. If you ever have the opportunity to spend time at a lavender farm, do it. As you might imagine, the air smells heavenly.
Now I’m wondering…have you ever cooked with lavender?
Grace Grits and Gardening
As rosemary is to the spirit, so lavender is to the soul. – Unknown
How To: Homemade Lavender Body Scrub
Today I’m blogging about my favorite homemade body scrub at Inspiration Cafe. Quick and easy, this homemade lavender and peppermint body scrub is made with ingredients from my kitchen and garden and makes a great gift. It will keep for weeks without refrigerating.
talya
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life