I’m back! Did you miss me? I am sorry I was out of pocket this past week. With family in town, playdates garlore (the kids are out of school) and a much needed spa trip (from hubby for my bday) I had no time for the computer. Well, I LIE! I made a little time to put the finishing touches on my new site(s):) Do you like? I made over Kitchen Belleicious, Belleicious Kids and added a new site Belleicious Baby. This has been a long time coming and something I have been wanting to do forever.
Last year you might remember I launched Belleicious Kids. At that time my son, who I called The Picky Eater, inspired me to create dishes that would taste delicious but mask the ingredients he so blatantly “says” he doesn’t like. Times they are a changing and so is my son who no longer holds the title “World’s Pickiest Eater”. My joy has always been to cook and it is still my passion but cooking particularly for my toddler and baby has made its way to the top of the list and my only other desire is to share these recipes and dishes with you all! From homemade nutter butters, oatmeal pies, granola cups, popsicles and “fish tanks” I am constantly thinking of new fun delicious meals and snacks for kids. This is why I am starting over from scratch (if you don’t mind) with Belleicious Kids. Think fun and exciting yet healthy and delicious! My motto for this blog is going to be, Anything THEY can do I can do too! LOL! Funny, huh? It is intended to let the makers of those processed foods you find in the grocery store and fast food companies know that I and by that I mean, WE, can make anything you make (seriously, we can) and it will be just as tasty and 100% better for our kids! Now, listen closely..sometimes you just gotta have butter, sugar or All Purpose Flour! However, those ingredients do NOT have to be unhealthy and fattening to your kids when used and eaten in moderation. Just knowing how much of each ingredient you are putting into your kids food is comforting in itself. Oh, I am so pumped to show it to you! There are only a few recipes on Belleicious Kids right now but in the weeks to come I will blow your mind away! Just you wait!
Belleicious Baby– my sweet son Connor who is now able to eat baby food inspired the launch of this site. My second son could not be more different than my first. He loves to eat. Mind you he is only 6/7 months old, he will eat any baby food I put in front of him and then some. With Connor’s arrival I knew I wanted to make his baby food from scratch. I wanted my love for him and my love for cooking to come together and create the most delicious food to help him begin his little life with. Making your own homemade baby food definitely takes more time than walking down a store aisle and throwing baby food jars in the cart but it is so rewarding to see the look on your baby’s face when they are introduced to new foods for the first time that actually TASTE like REAL food! By making your own you are able to be creative with ingredients and combinations let alone spices and seasonings (age appropriate). If you have a little one, if you are a grandmother or know someone who is expecting I would love for you to stop by Belleicious Baby and let me know what you think!
Now let’s talk FOOD! Sweet, crunchy, slightly salty! I am a sucker for good granola. I want it sweet but savory, I want nuts, I want fruit, I want cinnamon, I want honey and I want it to be refreshing and I want it with milk- not yogurt but milk. Just enough milk at the bottom of the cup or bowl to slightly soak the oats yet leaving them still crunchy. When I am craving something other than my “chocolate chip cookies” I am craving granola! Good thing I have a recipe for it- right?
This granola is sweet and salty and addictive–but most importantly full of healthy nuts, whole grains, and seeds. If you are looking for a quick easy granola recipe then you have arrived!
I am so looking forward to catching up on all my favorite blogs! Get ready- I’m coming!
- 4 cups old-fashioned oats
- ⅓ cup apple juice
- ⅓ cup honey
- ⅓ cup canola oil
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ cup almonds
- ⅓ cup raisins
- ⅓ cup sunflower seeds
- 2 TBSP flax seed
- 2 TBSP brown sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, nuts, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, brown sugar, raisins, cinnamon and salt. Whisk the oil, vanilla, honey and apple juice in a separate bowl or cup and then pour into the oat mixture until everything is coated.
- Spread onto a large sheet pan. Bake, stirring occasionally until the mixture turns golden brown, approximately 30 minutes.Store cooled granola in an airtight container.
Welcome back!! I am LOVING your new look on this blog. And what a gorgeous looking granola- the use of apple juice is intriguing!!!
the apple juice was the best part about it because it left a slightly sweet taste to the granola without making it too wet or too sweet
hi jessica, yes was wondering where were you. Your new blog layout looks great, your old one looks just as great! Congrats on your baby blog, i just got to applaud you for having this idea and reading what you just wrote, it’s really fantastic cooking it all from scratch, with no preservatives and yet nutritious. Thank you for sharing your version of granola, i love granola!
I’d love a bowl of your granola just the way you described it. Sounds perfect! Your redesign looks great. Good luck with the new sites. I told my daughter with an 8 mo about them.
oh thanks Barbara! I hope she enjoys the new baby site! Tell her I have more recipes coming!
I could snack on this all day, great recipe!
Yes I LOVE your makeover – the site looks gorgeous – I love your granola too – I make an almond cherry one too – a little different though – love that you use apple juice – I’m poping over to your new site – so exciting – well done!!!!!
Mary x
hello my friend!!
i love all 3 of your new sites, and yes, i have missed you!!
thank you very much for your sweet comment today :).
Oh your site looks wonderful!! I am a real granola lover so I am excited to try this one because it looks so delicious.
Loving the bew look!! great makeover and granola..hmm can eat it by the TON, lol!!
Belle, you are absolutely incredible being able to ft all of this in with 2 little ones – kudos!
I love your new look – so elegant!
🙂 Mandy xo
I’m always surprised by your time management skills and vitality to maintain 3 websites. HOW do you do that… well I’m not surprised because when I look at your recipes, I’m already amazed how do you cook and bake all these delicious food with two little kids, smaller than mine?!?! It’s been my mystery from the beginning but I’m so happy for your new site! =)
LOL! You are so sweet. Do any of us moms know how we do what we do? Its amazing the skills we have isnt it? I could say the same about you- you always amaze me with your dishes. blog and photos! Hats off to you to!
I was beginning to think you took those nutter butters and hightailied it out of town. 🙂 So glad to see you. I know life gets a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re a young mum.
Love this granola, it looks so inviting!
oh i would have had there been any nutter butters left after my little one and my big one (my hubs) got into them! I would have left and never looked back! LOL!
I LOVE the new site Jessica! And dang woman…you impress me! Three blogs going at once and cooking up fabulous foods for the kiddos. If anyone can do it – it’s you! Congrats! And this granola looks wonderfully delicious. 🙂
Nom Nom Nom
The blog layout looks great! Congrats! All that hard work is paying off!
This is a great looking granola, perfect for ones of all ages!
I love the new look! And like you I’m a sucker for a great granola. 🙂
Welcome back! Your site looks fabulous – so does the recipe. I love making my own granola! It’s a fun activity to do with my kids and its an easy way to boost our fiber intake. Of course, that totally depends on the ingredients.A few of my favorite fiber-licious add-ons include: almonds, sunflower seeds and even Kellogg’s FiberPlus Caramel Pecan Crunch cereal. I’m glad to see a couple of these in your delightful looking mix!
The granola looks fab and so good to munch on!
Glad to know that I wasn’t the only one MIA! LOL.
Love the new look, Jessica! Thumbs up to you!
I love granola, especially with yogurt for breakfast. This version looks so delicious! I’ve never made my own before, I need to try this!
love your new site! and your recipes are always amazing! 🙂
love your new site! and your recipes are always amazing! 🙂
Love this granola and the new baby site is perfect for me! We are expecting! yeah!
Your new site is beautiful and congratulations on your two new blogs. I can barely keep up with my one blog let alone three! I take my hat off to you.I’ve been seeing a lot of granola on blogs, but sadly I’ve never made it myself. Looks like I’ll have to give it a try soon.
First, I love your site. Very clean and inviting. And those photos on Belleicious Baby are just too cute!
Second, I love granola. I used to make it all of the time, it was my go-to breakfast food. I must try your recipe.
You have been missed, momma….. I’d love this on top of my morning yogurt.
thanks Val! Missed your fab posts:)
Wow. You’ve been busy! Great new blog looks!
Love your new look and your take to more healthy delicious yummies, all from scratch!
Your granola looks great! Love the way your describe them as being sweet, salty and crunchy with healthy ingredients too!
Thanks for sharing! Have a nice day!
thanks! I am so excited about the other two sites because I have a LONG list of things I have been wanting to make for both boys so excited to share them with you all!
Your sites are just amazing! I love them all and good luck to you on the baby one. I think its great to make your own baby food. this granola looks exactly like something my whole family would enjoy
AMAZING GRANOLA. SAW YOUR POST ON FB AND HAD TO COME OVER
you are rocking my girl. Three different site.. wow!
Love the granola and absolutely love the new look.. beautiful like you 🙂
PS: you gotta send me your entry for DMBLGiT! I am waiting 😉
Oh friend- if only my pictures were that good. I am embarrassed to even send one in:)
all three sites sound amazing and I can’t wait to try food from all three. I have a niece who just turned 7 months and i would love to cook for her
i love the kids site. I liked it then and i will like it now:) This granola sounds and looks fantastic. I might add some applesauce in mine instead of the juice- do you think that will make a big difference?
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Love the new look Jessica 🙂 and congratulations on the launch of the new sites, best of luck with that and I am sorry it is late.
I love granola and love the apple juice in your recipe
divine. My mother-in-law loves granola and I think a treat for her is in store:)
Love how simple and delicious this looks!
Congratulations on this awesome series! Can’t wait to see what other healthy recipes you’re going to share! Those almonds especially make my mouth water! 😀
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