Travis is the same friend that sold me my Nikon D200 when he was upgrading to an even fancier schmancier camera. He is serious about photography, which is why I was so flattered when he called to ask if I’d take some engagement photos of him, Vicki, and Maylee (Vicki’s sweet 4 year old daughter).

We all drove up to Big Cottonwood Canyon this afternoon – which was so so beautiful – and I took a stab at some portraiture. Here’s a little preview at some of my favorites.

Sausage, White Bean, and Spinach Soup

3 links of italian style turkey sausage

1 small can of your favorite white bean (I used cannellini), drained and rinsed

4-5 cups fresh spinach

1 small can stewed tomatoes with the liquid

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 small onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

4 cups low sodium chicken stock

1 T. olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Separate the sausage from its casing, break into small bite sized pieces, and brown in olive oil over a medium high heat in a stock pan. Add celery, onion, and garlic and saute until soft. Add the spinach and lightly toss until the spinach has wilted.  Add the white beans, stewed tomatoes, and chicken stock. Salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 15 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Or how proud it makes me to see his work on the cover of a magazine when I’m standing in line at the grocery store?

I’m a fan.

This being the case, one of my resolutions is to eat a more varied diet so that I can get a more complete spectrum of needed nutrients. I’m trying to find easy ways to incorporate different whole grains into my cooking. After a Costco trip last week, we’re all stocked up on oats, brown rice and quinoa. Thanks to Costco, we’ve also got loads of dried fruit in our cupboard. And you know what oats and dried fruit are best for…

I shy away from store-bought granola. For a food that is practically synonymous with healthy, it always catches me off guard to have the left over milk at the end of a bowl be dark brown and really sugary. Oats are such a great comfort food that they don’t need a ton of added sweetness to make a really satisfying breakfast.

So here is my recipe for granola. Nutrition filled, slightly sweet and perfectly toasted with just enough dried fruit to round it out. Goes perfectly with a scoop of greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey. Or eat it like I do – just with a little bit of milk. It’s my fave.

Granola

6 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/3 cups wheat bran

3 tablespoons flaxseed

1 cup slivered almonds

1/3 cup water

1/4 cup oil (vegetable or safflower)

3 tablespoons honey

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 1/2 cups (roughly) dried fruit of your choice (I used 1/3 cup sweetened flaked coconut, 1 cup craisins, 1 cup raisins and 1/2 cup dried cherries)

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Combine oats, wheat bran, flaxseed, and almonds in a large mixing bowl. In a small saucepan, combine the water, oil, honey, sugar and cinnamon and bring to a low boil (while stirring) to dissolve the sugar. Pour your wet ingredients over the oat mixture and combine until the wet mixture has evenly coated the oats. Pour the sweetened oat mixture on a greased baking sheet, spread out evenly and bake for 40 – 50 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes or so on the pan, until your granola is dry and lightly toasted. Add dried fruit, mix and store in an airtight container.

I was just reading an article on how to get more out of your New Year’s resolutions by simplifying them. Thought some of you friends might enjoy.