Granola

6 C. oatmeal (regular, NOT instant)
1 C. coconut
1/2 C. nuts (optional)
1/2 C. wheat germ
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 C. honey
1/2 C. oil
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 C. grape nuts

* * Stir in a large, stainless steel mixing bowl. Then you can put the bowl right into the oven!
* * Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Stir, and cook 10 minutes again. Continue until granola is as crunchy as you want (I cook for a total of 40 minutes)
* * You can add a little more honey or oil if you want the granola to cluster. I also like adding a little brown sugar to give it extra flavor. Next time I'm going to try maple syrup!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 can Pumpkin Filling
1 box Spice Cake
1 pkg Chocolate Chips

Mix all three ingredients then spoon onto cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes then enjoy! Cookies stay moist for a long time!

Whole Wheat Pancakes

1 1/4 Cups whole wheat flour

3 TBSP Sugar

3 TBSP oil

3 tsp. baking powder

pinch of salt

2 eggs separated beat the whites until stiff and throw away the yolk

1 1/4 cups milk

Waffles

2 Eggs

2 cups Milk

2 cups flour

1/2 cup butter

4 tsp baking soda

1 TBSP sugar (I don't add this since we put enough sugar on with the toppings)

pinch salt

Chicken Noodle Soup

2 cans (14 oz. each) chicken broth
Generous dash ground black pepper
1 medium carrot, sliced
1 stalk celery, sliced
1/2 cup uncooked medium egg noodles
1 cup cubed cooked chicken

MIX broth, black pepper, carrot and celery in saucepan. Heat to a boil.
STIR in noodles and chicken. Cook over medium heat 10 minutes or until noodles are done. Serves 4

Polka Dot Cookies

(Chocolate cookies with green chips as polka dots)

2 cups (12 oz) Semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups (12 oz) Mint chips

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees
* In top of double boiler over low heat, melt semisweet chips and butter, stirring constantly until smooth. (OR microwave semisweet chips and butter in a small microproof bowl at medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring well after each minute initially, then at 30 second intervals until smooth) Set aside to cool.
* In small bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt; set aside
* In large bowl beat eggs, sugar and vanilla until light. Blend in melted chocolate, then dry ingredients. Stir in green mint chips and chill for 10-15 minutes or until stiff. Drop by well rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes; cookies will be soft in centers but will harden as they cool.

Easy Cake Truffles

What you will need: 1 Box of Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix, Ingredients to prepare Cake Mix (eggs, oil, etc.), 1 can of Chocolate Fudge Frosting, 2 bags of semi-sweet Chocolate Chips. What you will do: Prepare cake mix, and bake as directed. After cake has cooled, crumble entire cake into bowl. Add entire can of frosting, and mix well. Place mixture in refrigerator until firm (may take a few hours). Once mixture has firmed up and cooled, use melon baller or a spoon (then roll with hands) to scoop out balls. Melt Chocolate Chips in separate bowl in the microwave. Dip cake balls into melted chocolate, then set on waxed paper to dry. While still wet, sprinkle with coconut, sprinkles, etc. Once they are dry, they are done-enjoy!! *Can use different kinds of cake mixes and frostings. Great activity for the entire family!