Toasted Coconut & Cashew Granola

Homemade. 

One of my favorite things about this whole learning-my-way-around-the kitchen/baking/cooking/blogging thing has been exploring a whole new realm of possibilities when it comes to food. 

Up until recently I've been sheltered and naive and totally unaware of this whole DIY/make it yourself movement. 

Did you know you could render your own lard, make vanilla extract, or whip up creamy hazelnut spread like Nutella from the comfort of your own home? 

Personally, I'm dying to try straining my own greek yogurt. Heaven knows I put it in everything humanly possible. 

Like these Chocolate Dipped Strawberry {Greek Yogurt} Ice Cream Sandwiches.

This mouthwatering Cinnamon Roll Pound Cake (cake for breakfast!!)

And these Deluxe S'mores Cupcakes (S'mores heaven!)

But what I'm getting at here is that there is a whole list of foods I've been eating throughout my life and I've only recently come to the realization that I can actually make them. Myself. At home. 

For example these one hour soft pretzels like the ones from the mall. Those were de-lish-us. A great recipe for sure but I'm convinced though that the experience was enhanced by the fact that I made them myself. 

Since those pretzels I've been brainstorming all sorts of ideas for the foods I'd usually buy but now want to try making in my own kitchen. I'm starting off small here with granola but I'm already addicted. 

My new go-to snack seems to be a handful of this sweet and crunchy granola with fruit, on yogurt, or plain.  

Looking back on the pre-culinary expansion time of my life, I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I would have asked why. Why would I make granola when I can easily buy a box at the store that I know tastes good?

Now that I've actually done it, I can answer that question. I make it myself because creating and eating delicious food is ten times more satisfying when I've poured some of myself into it. In every bite I taste creativity and accomplishment. Plus it's hard to not love a dish that was literally made  just for me.