Make Granola like a Champion

So I'm sitting at work and that familiar feeling is back...yep, it's hunger. My stomach is growling at me. A hungry stomach is really reliable...in that it always shows up at the WORST times.

Ugh, it's so loud. I hope no one is hearing this right now. Seriously, my stomach is rumbling like it wants to make the San Andreas Fault jealous. I need a snack that is healthy, one that gives me energy and really sticks to my ribs.

Annika's Maple Syrup Granola

• 1 cup oats
• 1 cup bran flakes
• 1.5 cup wheat germ
• 1 cup Flax seed
• 7 oz sliced almond
• 7 oz coconut
• 1 pinch salt
• 7 oz dried fruit (raisin, apricot)
• 2 cup maple syrup

Heat the oven to 395 F

Mix all the ingredients except maple syrup and dried fruit.

Drizzle the maple syrup and mix granola with your hands or a spatula.

Spread out on two baking sheets and roast for 10 min in the oven so it gets a little color. Let it cool.

Add the dried fruit and store in a dry place. 

This is a fun thing to do with your kids, too!  Some of my best memories as a little girl involved cooking and baking with my mom. Though my baked goods were usually misshapen and occasionally missing a cup of flour, I felt so accomplished when my creations came out of that oven. Try this healthy recipe with your kids this weekend and create some great memories while you're at it.

Justine Harris, Communications Manager, ANNIKA Foundation

A Letter from Annika

Dear friends,

I am writing to ask you to join me in support of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic this year.

This tournament, held October 17-23 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, is the last stop on the PGA Tour. The event supports the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in providing comfort, treatment and hope to kids everywhere.

We are working with the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic to support the event and the mission of this great organization.

Purchase tickets today through the ANNIKA Foundation, and the proceeds will support the healthy, active kids we help here at the Foundation every day. Read more in our previous blog here.

A few of our supporters have said they will not be able to go, but would still like to donate. This is a great way to show your support, even if you live out of town or are unable to attend the tournament.

To purchase tickets through the ANNIKA Foundation, please visit our secure donation site or contact Justine Harris at (407) 385-1252 or by e-mail at justineh@annikafoundation.org. Your tickets will be mailed to you.

Thanks for supporting the ANNIKA Foundation and the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic.

Sincerely,

A New York State of Mind

President Don Ochsenreiter talks about his visit to Harlem with Annika on Monday.

First impressions may not always be right. My visit to Harlem this week proved that.


The Children’s Storefront is an independent, tuition-free school in Harlem serving preschool through 8^th grade students. This year, students and teachers at The Children’s Storefront are part of a school-wide wellness transformation project led by two California State University Chico professors.

 
Annika, her husband Mike and I, along with team leaders from SPARK and The First Tee, visited the school on Monday as part of this wellness project. What we found were passionate educators and 175 precious, curious kids.
 

Another Annika Sorenstam in the making?

Annika spoke to the kids about the importance of being active, eating right and the values that sports can teach you. 

SPARK graciously donated its award-winning physical education program to the school. The First Tee did the same by donating its National School Program, which teaches kids golf skills, life skills and Nine Healthy Habits.

About to try out their fun new SPARK program!

The kids were very polite and well-mannered.  They ate one of the healthiest lunches we’ve ever seen in a school and cleaned up their own plates when they were finished.  The students liked having visitors interested in them and their great school. 

These kids were from some of the poorest families in New York City, yet I have never seen students so spirited and happy.

Working together-don't drop the ball!

I remember driving through Harlem a few years ago. Before our visit to the Children's Storefront this week, I admit to having a spoiled impression of the city. All I could remember was the slums and outdoor basketball courts fenced in with barbed wire.

My impression of Harlem has changed.

Don Ochsenreiter, President, ANNIKA Foundation