Hi everyone!
Thanks for your supportive words on my race. I felt recovered much more quickly from this 20 miler than the last 20, so I’m encouraged that my body is moving in the right direction for this marathon!
It’s Wednesday- time to talk food. I’ll start with the usual collage for What I ate Wednesday:
[Breakfast: Salad with eggs, avocado, pomegranate and peppers; Snack: Chai Masala tea and Oatmeal cookie; Lunch: Split Pea soup and brown rice; Carrots and hummus; Snack: Almonds, cranberries and dark chocolate chips; Sharing L's pb and banana pre-spin; Dinner: Veggie Chili post-spin + apple]
I have a yummy holiday granola recipe to share as well as some other great posts I’ve come across lately with homemade food gift ideas. It also fits in nicely with Jenn’s recipe theme for the month. I love making and receiving homemade gifts, especially edible ones.
Here’s one of my favorite basic granola recipes, which you can tailor to suit your nut/fruit/add-in preferences.
Cranberry Dark Chocolate Granola Recipe (print recipe)
- 6 c. rolled oats
- 1 c. cashews, or nuts of choice, chopped
- 1/3 c. sunflower seeds or pepitas
- 1/3 c. ground flaxseed
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 egg whites
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 c. maple syrup or honey
- 1/3 c. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 c. dried cranberries (or raisins, chopped apricots, etc)
- 1/2 c. unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 c. dark chocolate chips, optional
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl (oats through cinnamon). In a smaller bowl, whisk egg whites and salt together until frothy. Add in sweetener and oil, then add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients until combined well.
Spread on two baking sheets and bake for 15 minutes at 350, then flip granola and bake for another 10-12 minutes until lightly browned. (You may add the coconut for the remaining 10 minutes to toast it). When cool, stir in dried fruit and chocolate chips.
The last few days, I came across more delicious granola recipes and rounded up a few other fun ideas for homemade goodies.
Granola
Sweet Ideas (Note: I’m not promising the following are “healthy”- but delicious in moderation!)
Candy Stuffed PB Cookie Bars from The Lean Green Bean
Candy Cane Crinkle Cookies from Peas and Thank You
Healthier Chocolate Chunk Molasses Gingerbread Cookies from Running to the Kitchen
Nutmeg Cream-filled Cupcakes from Better with Veggies
Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Coconut Snowflakes
Peppermint Bark from The Splattered Apron
Our Whole Wheat Gingerbread People
Other Fun Edible Gift Ideas
Homemade Soup Mix in a Jar (3 Options)
Homemade Taco Seasoning from Fit Mom in Training
Runner’s World also had a fun article on do-it-yourself edible gift ideas, including homemade Cinnamon Cocoa (I love that this one had no powdered half and half, as so many cocoa recipes call for), an Easy Herb Rub, Chocolate Peppermint Pretzels, Creamy Almond Butter, and Pumpkin-Cherry Trail mix.
Are you planning to make any homemade gifts, edible or otherwise?
You can also find Mommy, Run Fast on:
- Twitter – @mommyrunfaster
- Pinterest – Mommy Run Fast
- Facebook – Mommy, Run Fast
- Instagram – @mommyrunfast
Great round up of edible gifts. YOu can’t go wrong with making yummy edible gifts!
Thanks for mentioniong my gingerbread granola recipe! 
I’m playing catch up with my favorite blogs! So I’m off to read about your recovery from your 20 miler race!
Lisa recently posted..Gingerbread Granola
I love making granola and cookies as gifts. I also like to make a sugar scrub for hands and feet. Nice alternative to food. Great recipes to try!
I love the idea of a sugar scrub! We’re just about done for this year, but maybe I’ll do that for my mom or grandma’s birthday…
Laura recently posted..Under Armour Hoodie Winner
Your granola recipe look delicious! I was just thinking that I needed to make a batch of granola. And these homemade gift ideas are great. I may just have to use some of these ideas for gifts this year because I can’t think of any good gifts for people!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..12 Ways to Quinoa
I know, when stumped, making something yourself is always appreciated!
Laura recently posted..Under Armour Hoodie Winner
I’m going to make those candy bar PB bars! I’ve been looking for something to do with leftover Halloween candy (besides eat an obscene amount of it). I think I’ll have Charlotte take them in for her gym daycare providers or the church office.
Sarah S @RunningOnWords recently posted..I scare easily
Yes! Great idea to give some to the gym day care providers… I just added them to my list…
Laura recently posted..Under Armour Hoodie Winner
Love this! The taco seasoning is great because so often if you look at the ingredients of the store bought the contain the usual crap. ugh, so annoying. Anyway, great ideas Laura!
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..Nuun Lemon Lime Christmas Punch
Exactly! I avoid the store bought packs for that reason.
Laura recently posted..Under Armour Hoodie Winner
I’m giving out some edible gifts this year, too – can’t wait to get started on them! The gingerbread granola sounds so yummy!
Michelle recently posted..Change of Plans – Literally
Aww I love these ideas! We got my in laws a ton of homemade foods this year ironically because I knew they’d eat it and nothing else seemed worth gifting!
Kat recently posted..ICE, ICE Baby!
I love the looks for your breakfast salad – I need to get on board with that! Nothing better than a runny egg as dressing.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Orange Cardamom TVP “Oats” + WIAW
Most days it doesn’t appeal to me first thing in the morning, but yesterday it was exactly what my body wanted.
Laura recently posted..Under Armour Hoodie Winner
I am a sucker for peppermint bark. YUM!! They all look good. I always think that I should do soup in a jar as gifts for teachers and then I flake out. Maybe I’ll get my act together this year.
Carrie@familyfitnessfood.com recently posted..You Looking for Me?
I hear you… I always have plans for more than what I actually get done. It takes time!
Laura recently posted..Under Armour Hoodie Winner
What an awesome post! And now I’m hungry lol! I’m pinning this for sure! Thanks for sharing Laura!
Mindy @Road Runner Girl recently posted..Woman’s Half Marathon EXPO!
Yum, yum and YUm! I made a faux pas and brought the same hostess gift this year as i did last year (almond/apricot/dk chcolate bark) I wonder if they remember??
I would love to receive that bark two years in a row!
Laura recently posted..Under Armour Hoodie Winner
Such a great recipe round up! I have a cookie exchange next week, so might just find my recipe here!
I love the idea of edible gIfts!!!! How fantastic! Those granolas look fabulous!! Thanks! Have a great day! Spa <3
Yummy gift ideas. I love giving things like that – I think they are more from the heart when made with love.
so many nice gift ideas! look really yummy!
Lot-O-Choc recently posted..House of Dorchester Gingerbread Truffles
Great roundup of homemade gifts! This is something I love to do for team gifts every year, it typically more appreciated than something you can buy. I’ll have to check out some of these goodies!
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted..Molasses Crisps & The Great Cookie Swap!
Great post! I’m considering making the Homemade Soup Mix in a jar for all of my daughters teachers. Between the three daughters I have 8 teachers to buy for so it gets rather expensive to send store bought gifts.
Janice – Fitness Cheerleader recently posted..Travel Fit with FILA and Win a Trip to Italy!
I love the homemade soup idea, too… I’m hoping I can make that happen this year also. Yes, 8 teachers would definitely get expensive!
Laura recently posted..Under Armour Hoodie Winner
Thanks for the great homemade, edible gift ideas!
I love this sort of stuff. Now the hard part of choosing which one(s) to make. 
O, and your split pea soup looks so yummy. Did I miss the recipe?
Ali @ WHOLEistically Fit recently posted..How To Create An Awesome Personalized Signature For Your Blog Posts & Emails (No High-Tech Skills or Programs Required!)
I posted the recipe several months ago, forgot to link it to the post, but you can find it here: http://www.mommyrunfast.com/crockpot-comfort/
Laura recently posted..Under Armour Hoodie Winner
I love a good granola.
And I’m making maple cream and pumpkin butter for gifts.
Renee recently posted..Weekly Workouts {12/3-12/9}
Wow, maple cream and pumpkin butter both sound delicious! Can you add my name to your list?
Laura recently posted..Under Armour Hoodie Winner
Love all those gift ideas! I think I will make the granola to give out as gifts. It looks delicious and will last much longer than giving cookies or pumpkin bread, etc. The peppermint bark looks delicious, too! Thanks for sharing.
Kristen @ Happy Running Mama recently posted..Soul Food
Yes, I like making pumpkin bread too, but it’s nice to have gifts that can be stored a little longer.
Laura recently posted..Under Armour Hoodie Winner
This post is a goldmine of ideas!!! I love it. But not as much as I love that granola. I can attest that that stuff is gooooood! (assuming its the same one)
Tina @ Best Body Fitness recently posted..Best Body Bootcamp Review: Confessions of a Cardio Junkie
It is the same one.
So glad you liked it!
What great ideas! I love giving my Chocolate Almond Butter granola as gifts. I actually just made a big batch to put in the goodie bags for my Favorite Things party tomorrow
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome recently posted..What I ate Wednesday
That sounds delicious- what a great gift idea!
Laura recently posted..Under Armour Hoodie Winner
Your meals and snacks are an inspiration – so healthy and yet yummy looking! Love the round-up of homemade goodies for gifts. I would be happy if people would move to homemade gifts more – especially sweets!
Joann @ Woman in Real Life recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday, with a delicious stew
I love making granola, but never thought to gift it.
We (O is painting) are making homemade ornaments, but I love the soup idea and might make that for family
Jen recently posted..Running in the Snow
I absolutely LOVE this post & all the fabulous ideas you shared =)
Jessie recently posted..Thankful Thursday #7
This year our homemade gifts for neighbors will be peppermint bark and a variety of granolas. Homemade gifts for neighbors is a tradition my kids and I have enjoyed for years
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness recently posted..Natural Running || Interview with Newton Certified Coach, Ryan Smith
I love that tradition! It’s one we’re just now getting started.
Laura recently posted..Under Armour Hoodie Winner
Great ideas! I love the dark chocolate granola! Last Sunday, I made candied walnuts and pasta sauce with my husband’s homemade pasta noodles to give as gifts this year!
Melissa @ Fit ‘N’ Well Mommy recently posted..Around the Plate 12 Day Healthy Holiday Challenge and a New Slow-Cooker Recipe!
I love gingerbread. I love chocolate. I am going to have to try that.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted..Up and Running
[...] has a great list of 13 Homeade Edible Gift Ideas. PS – just added her to my blogroll. She’s super speedy and her kids are [...]
[...] recent posts include: 13 homemade edible gift ideas, my Whole Wheat Gingerbread cookie recipe and my TriGirl half marathon [...]
[...] has a great list of 13 Homeade Edible Gift Ideas. PS – just added her to my blogroll. She’s super speedy and her kids are [...]
[...] Run Fast, 13 Homemade Edible Gift Ideas. Laura’s homemade granola would make an amazing personal gift. Plus she has done some [...]