Mil Spouse Perks and Road Trip Planning

Occasionally as a mil spouse you get an unexpected perk from out of the blue. I along with several other military spouses were given a 10.00 dollar voucher at a local farmers market if we picked up a broacher for a college. No strings attached just pick up a broacher and boom free 10 bucks. Well I jumped on that since who doesn't like fresh local produce! My whole bill after the 10 dollar voucher was 5 dollars and change. Yes please...It came at the best time possible as well. We have to pre pay for the hubs trip to school and that is at least a 2 night 3 day trip so anyway we can skim a little off a bill to save for the trip the better! I also found that another local farmers market was having a buy 2 get one free on fresh strawberries either buy the flat or bucket. Each little white basket held 2.7-3 pounds of berries. They were 7 bucks a bucket. What a deal! I love great deals. I left half of one bucket out and froze the rest.

Another great deal I found while looking for hotels for the Texas road trip was with Best Western. They have a 10% discount for military. Yes! We love Best Western. Super great hotel chain. We have taken several road trips to Washington and they were by far the nicest pet friendly hotels we had stayed in. Here is the link to check it out. http://www.bestwestern.com/deals-offers/special-rates/government-hotel-discounts.asp

I am a planner. I started planning our trip to Serbia over a year in advance. Lists are my bread and butter. I get excited just thinking about it. I plan everything even down to the tasty treats we are going to eat on a trip. On a road trip we try to limit how much junk and crap we eat out so I always pack a cooler and this trip I am toying with the idea of bringing a little 2 quart crockpot for a warm lunch. I know that trip is still a while off but I am starting some of my pre baking tasties that will keep for the trip and stay fresh. So today it's going to be granola granola granola! 2 different kinds. My vacuum sealer will be my trick for freshness for these.  The first is a crumbly granola great for a yogurt topping and the second will be a granola bar kind of like the crunchy nature valley ones that are so expensive and IF I still have some juice in me to bake I will be making homemade chocolate protein bars.

Peanut Butter Granola (Crumbly):

2 cups old fashioned oats

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1/4 cup honey

2 Tbs packed light-brown sugar

 

Directions

 

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Pour oats into a mixing bowl, set aside. In a microwave safe mixing bowl (or it can also be melted in a saucepan), combine peanut butter, honey and brown sugar and heat mixture in microwave until runny and smooth, about 25 seconds. Pour mixture over oats in mixing bowl and toss mixture with a spatula until evenly coated.

 

Spread mixture onto a Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheet into an even layer and bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 18 - 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through baking. Allow to cool completely (it wont be crunchy until it cools) and store in an airtight container.

Granola Bars:

4 cups rolled oats
2 tablespoons flaxseed
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts, chopped
3/4 cup natural peanut butter, melted
1/2 cup honey
chocolate chips
*dried fruit (optional)(craisins are my favorite)
*coconut (optional)

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine oats, flax, and peanuts. Add honey and mix to combine. Add melted peanut butter and mix until moistened. Add in the chocolate chips and any other add ins you want such as the dried fruit or coconut. If dough is still too dry (this can depend on your ingredients) add more peanut butter or syrup (or honey) 1 tablespoon at a time until moistened.

Press dough in a greased (non-stick spray) 9 x 13 baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Homemade Chocolate Protein Bars:

7 Scoops chocolate protein powder (Isopure low carb Dutch chocolate is my favorite)
2 c quick oats
5 Tbs sliced almonds
1/4 c choc chips
3 Tbs honey
3 Tbs natural Peanut Butter
* dried fruit like craisins (optional)
water

Mix  all ingredients and add drizzles of water until a moist consistency & press into sprayed baking dish. Bake at 350 for approx 15 min. Depending on size of bars cut they will be about about 170 cal and 32 g protein per serving!

Well off I go!