The virtue of creativity takes same-ol’ and spins it. You can kick-start creativity with a breakfast-pleaser like homemade granola (aka, Granola-tivity). Give a child carte blanch to add favorite nuts, fruits and other ingredients. 

Granola-tivity

makes 12 cups 

5 cups old-fashioned, whole-grained oats, not instant 

1 cup steel-cut oats (try John McCann’s steel-cut Irish oatmeal) 

2 cups slivered almonds

2 cups shredded coconut

3⁄4 cup vegetable oil

1⁄2 cup honey

1 1⁄2 cups dried cranberries 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large roasting pan (11 x 16-inches) mix the oats, nuts and coconut with the vegetable oil and honey. (Or, if you’re not counting dirty dishes, whisk the oil and honey in a small bowl before adding to the oats.) Mix well. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown, stirring every 10 minutes. Remove from oven and add the cranberries. Once cool, store in airtight containers. 

Helpful Hint: Be creative and toss in other favorite ingredients. Perhaps cashews, pecans or hazelnuts. Or replace the cranberries with dried cherries, raisins, apricots or figs. 

From Chapter 8: CREATIVITY - Hot Diggity Dog—A Trip to the moon