She Says: Fun with Granola!
This morning at around 6 I got a call asking me if I could sub. for a gym teacher. “Of course,” I slurred. I’d been having one of those sleeps where you are active in your dreams. It was actually a blogging dream where many of my favorite blogging characters were all meeting for a weekend retreat. Anyway, here is a tip for anyone planning to sub: keep some paper and a pen near your bed for receipt of such calls. Do you think I had any idea what school I was supposed to go to when I got up an hour later? Nope. I convinced myself I knew where to go, picked the correct school & it all worked out. It was the school closest to my house, the same one I work at after school. Mucho convenient.
I didn’t pack lunch, so I walked home to grab something during my break. It just so happened that when I was walking into my house the UPS man was bringing me a wonderful package from MixMyGranola.com.
A few weeks ago Mark and I were offered the chance to create our own granola and it took me a full two weeks to finally decide what I wanted!
My mix, Hangry Heather’s Mix, was simply the Organic Muesli, which contains organic whole rolled oats, organic raisins, organic whole rolled wheat, organic date pieces with organic oat flour, organic walnuts and organic almonds. I also added chia seeds because after reading this, I was very curious.
The experience of creating the granola was quite memorable. It was exciting and I really enjoyed being able the see the nutritional and cost information for my mix as I built it. The packaging and presentation is cool too – a totally tubular granola holder with my own Mix label! It’s the little things that excite me.
Now, about the taste … at lunch I immediately dove right into mine and combined it with plain Greek Yogurt. Very delicious indeed. Worth pointing out was the size of ingredients – lots of large chunks of nuts, dates and nice plump raisins (none of those dry raisin bits).
I will let Mark review his creation, but I tried it and can vouch for the deliciousness of the Organic Granola base.
His favorite part will probably be the name. Flashback a week to the naming process:
Mark, “Can I name it ‘Mark of the Hangry Wolves?’”
Heather, “You can name it whatever you want.”
Mark, “I am so excited right now.”
Then he chuckled like a school girl.
The downside is that it is a bit expensive. Shipping is a flat rate of $4.99. Altogether, our granola was just under $20. Also, I know you can re-order a mix and I wish you could send back the tube for free to get it re-filled and reduce waste. Overall, I think it’s a cool concept and I am definitely pleased with the taste and quality of our mixes, but I am not sure I would pay to do again… for myself. I would, however, buy a granola loving friend a gift certificate. What a fun present idea!
I realize this kinds of sounds like an advertisement, and I want to assure you that it’s not. I just like to share good, fun food things with my bloggies. For that reason, you’ve got 1 week of
20% off your purchase at with the coupon code “HANGRYPANTS”
Back at school I had Lunch Duty. Do you remember when you were little and you and all your friends had slightly different variations of the same thing? Well, Vera Bradley lunch bags are v. hip with the Ugg & head band wearing 6th grade girl population. I, of course, want one now.
Kids that bought lunch had french fries + grilled cheese or chicken nuggets. Now to be fair, there were salads & fruit offered during lunch, but no one had them. Just like with adults, a packed lunch from home is probably best.
Training Update:
First, a couple people asked whether I ran on an incline during yesterday’s “Speedwork.” The answer is no. Usually I run between .5 & 2 % incline, but because I just wanted to focus on speed, I brought it down to 0.
Second, I only got about 4 hours of sleep and was really tired when I got home from the after school program, so I decided to swap today’s 6 mile run with tomorrow’s rest day. Luckily, I have that kind of flexibility in my work schedule that I can do that.
That’s it for me. Have a great Thursday night!
Tags: granola, Greek yogurt, prodcut review, school lunch
March 5th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
ah! That granola company is so cool! I love that they print your names on it! What a great foodie gift too!
March 5th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
I busted out laughing when I read the name of Mark’s granola. It’s definitely a cool concept.
March 5th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
That stuff looks awesome – too expensive though. But definitely a great gift.
March 5th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
I love the sounds of that granola! Clearly I’m behind in the trends but those are cuter lunch bags than what I had!!
March 5th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
That granola company is so cool! And thanks for the comment yesterday–I’m new to blogging but it’s already a lot of fun. I’m not sure yet which marathon I want to run later this year or next year.. any suggestions?
March 5th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
OOOOOH fun granola!!
March 5th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Very cool granola! I love the names.
It must be fun observing kids all day. The Vera Bradley bags cracked me up! They are cute lunch bags though.
March 5th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
I totally have a Vera Bradley lunch bag. Vera is based in Fort Wayne, and the locals are NUTS about it. There is a huge outlet sale here every may or something and they line up for days. Crazy soccer moms shoving bags wildly into large black garbage bags. I am not exaggerating.
March 5th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
What a cool idea (both the mix-your-own granola and your wanting to copy the 6th-grade girls lunch bags of choice…).
March 5th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
mmmm granolaaaa! i love make-it-yourself stuff!
ahh what I would give to be a 6th grade girl again… good days
March 5th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
That granola looks fantastic, and now I totally want a Vera Bradley lunch bag! Those are so cute!
March 5th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
That granola looks awesome!
And that is too funny that you had a dream about BLOGGING! Silly
March 5th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
What awesome granola!
March 5th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
I am working with a company called mywaycereal that offers the same thing and it is so fun to make!! I loved seeing some of the ingredients and had no idea about some of the benefits!
March 5th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Oh wow, the granola is awesome!!!
March 5th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Great granola find! I agree with you that it would me make a great gift!
I love the Vera Bradley Lunch boxes! I really need to get myself one!
March 5th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Making your own granola sounds like a mini fantasy come true! Um, my lunch box was brown and made of paper. Those sixth graders are too trendy for me.
March 5th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
I want one of those lunch bags now too!!!
March 5th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Mix your own granola? That is seriously the coolest idea. I must tell Bill STAT.
Love the lunch bags from today’s lunch. 6th grade is so much more hip than when I was 12.
March 5th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
AWESOME GRANOLA IDEA! Pricey, but that’s an easy thing to stretch out. Nice for control freaks like moi!
March 6th, 2009 at 12:01 am
dude, thats some vera bradley MADNESS!! have you ever gone to the meandgoji website? you can make your own cereal…also $$ though
March 6th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Stylin’ lunchbags! That’s the second cool one you’ve featured on the blog recently, and it’s giving my plastic bag a bad name.
Thanks for the granola discount! I’ve heard of companies who let you make your own cereal, and I love it! It would take me FOREVER to decide what I wanted, though.
March 6th, 2009 at 12:40 am
I’m so excited to come home and try the granola! I’m glad you picked the right school, I’m sorry I couldn’t remember what the person said – I was SLEEPING!
March 6th, 2009 at 12:54 am
LOL I love your story about waking up this morning. How fun that you had a bloggie dream
I hope it becomes a reality!
That granola is so cool! Even cooler than the YouBar concept (shh…I did not say that, YouBar). I love the big chunks!
I chuckled like a school girl at Mark’s granola name, too
March 6th, 2009 at 1:04 am
I’ve been told I’m a character…come on, you were dreaming about me, huh?!
I think that build your own granola is AWESOME. I could never decide, though. I love how Mark chuckled like a schoolgirl. I imagine it sounds a lot like Livy, who we’ve taught to do the “MUAHAHAHAH” laugh.
Switching days on your training schedule?! I’m proud. Hal, however, is pissed.
March 6th, 2009 at 1:26 am
That granola does look really cool! I like that they even give you the nutrition stats on it.
That pic of the lunch boxes is too funny! I guess there are trends no matter what age you are!
March 6th, 2009 at 1:39 am
That’s pretty similar to me & goji, where you can make your own cereal. I think they have a granola base as well. I’d like to do it, but the shipping to Canada is pricey! And not like I need anymore cereal in my house anyways.
March 6th, 2009 at 1:58 am
that is awesome, mark is hilar, and I would’ve been the outcast with the brown sack!
March 6th, 2009 at 2:02 am
Create your own granola?! Sounds like heaven to me! Thanks for sharing.
March 6th, 2009 at 4:51 am
I find the concept of creating your own granola very cool, but at the same time hard… because when we have too much freedom on doing things.. we just can’t decide!
those lunchbags are so cute!
March 6th, 2009 at 5:01 am
Mom Blogs – Blogs for Moms…
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March 6th, 2009 at 6:01 am
great review of the granola! i made some yesterday, was about to buy it then saw the price and just couldn’t. too expensive. but glad you enjoyed it!
March 6th, 2009 at 6:45 am
Hahahaha you guys are so funny! I love the granola and Mark’s name is brils. That’s pretty spendy. If I was loaded I’d be all over it though!
I love those lunch bags! I want one too!
Ugh, all my students wear Uggs and athletic shorts to class. I once went on a tirade about how unprofessional that look is. I guess being a undergrad doesn’t require you to look professional so it was kinda fallin’ on deaf ears, ya know?!
March 6th, 2009 at 7:57 am
Your granola sounds great – I love that all of the ingredients are organic.
I agree about the school lunch options for kids. Why can’t school districts get it together and provide healthy food that kids actually WANT to eat?! Getting kids interested in healthy eating habits early is probably the best way to turn around the current obesity epidemic.
March 6th, 2009 at 8:23 am
That is SUCH a great idea with the granola! I like the containers, too. They look pretty big.
Thanks for answering about the incline….I have never EVER run on an incline on the treadmill (oops) but I know I probably should. I guess since hopefully I’ll be running outside soon, I know the 2 or 3 hills we have around here will help balance that out.
March 6th, 2009 at 8:32 am
I got caught in this huge web of blogs two nights ago all about Alice Waters’ push for healthier school lunches. it is a really interesting battle actually.
after seeing that picture, I kinda want a Vera Bradley lunchbag too! I call Vera Bradley the “oven mitt line” because that’s what they look like to me, but I love them anyway. I have a toiletry bag and hair straightener bag and I love them both!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:18 am
i’m jealous of your granola!!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:28 am
both granolas sound & look yummy!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Your granola look decadent!
I hear you on how kids, well, GIRLS, are so trendy these days. All I hear out of my almost 10 year old daughter is Lululemon this and ipod that! I told her to get a job!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:41 am
That’s very fun w/ the granola. I remember hearing about that site awhile ago and thinking it was neat and then reminding myself that I make my own granola. It’s a very neat concept though for those who would not want to take the time to make their own.
You photo of the lunch bags also cracks me up. My sister is a 6th grade writing teacher and she has two v. bradley lunch bags. I also like the lone girl with the NY Built Bag. That’s what I tote when I’m not reusing a shopping bag.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Great, now I am definitely going to spend money I don’t have on a Vera Bradley lunch box! I want it!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:44 am
mixmygranola is SO COOL! and those tubes are spectacular with your own label and just neat in general!!! lol it would take me 2 weeks to choose, too!!!!!!!! guess i’ll have to cut that to 1 week if i want the coupon code
GET SOME SLEEEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:55 am
I love the photo of the vera bradley lunchbags. Cool among 6th grade girls and “big kids” like us. I’ve seen some VB totes and makeup cases at TJ Maxx. I’ll have to check for the lunchbags, too!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:56 am
That picture at the end of your post made my day!!! How crazy is it, kids with VERA BRADLEY? i dont think I knew what that was at that age. I had an Aladdin lunch box. Made of plastic. Not quilted patterned cotton.
GRANOLA!!!!!! WOW!! i want to try! I am satisfied with my Nature’s path now, however.
March 6th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Fun granola! And those lunch bags are super cute I’m going to have to pick one up now, I’m jealous of those 11 year olds!
March 6th, 2009 at 11:26 am
ooooo fun!
i have not worn my HRM yet while doign the shred because its broken, but i would estimate 140 – 150 calories during the 20 minute workout.
March 6th, 2009 at 11:40 am
haha I soo have a Vera Bradley Lunch Box! I guess I’m hip with the 6th grade crowd
March 6th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
That granola website is fun, but 8 servings for $20? Gotta be kidding me. I just make your granola recipe.
March 6th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Oh my gosh, those raisin and nut chunks are huge! I would love to make my own granola, but I think I’ll stick with Zoe’s for now…no shipping charges.
Hope you get more sleep tonight. Have a good weekend Heath!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
cool concept for granola – but too expensive in this economy – way easy to make your own
I now want a vera bradley lunch bag!
March 7th, 2009 at 12:47 am
The create your own granola idea is very cool, and it looks yummy!
March 9th, 2009 at 10:37 am
[...] forget that if you’re interested in making your own granola at MixMyGranola (read all about it here) you can get 20% off with the coupon code [...]
March 10th, 2009 at 10:50 am
[...] want to eat my arm off. Today was such a day and all I wanted in life was oats. I chose to use my Heather’s Hangry Mix Muesli (from Mix My Granola) to do just that. I added some of my Almond Banana Butter and warmed that up [...]
March 11th, 2009 at 11:37 am
[...] tastes exactly! I obviously named mine “Sarah Is Healthy”. I’m not as creative as Mark & Heather. I started with the 100% organic Museli. Museli gives me fond memories of my dad [...]
March 12th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
[...] breakfast I had a plain Chobani Greek Yogurt with my Hangry Heather’s Muesli Mix w/ flax that I added and the last bit of my Raw Pineapple Almond Bar. I realized today that [...]
March 31st, 2009 at 7:03 pm
I just got my two instylers today and I love it! I have coarse frizzy hair and it straightened and then flipped out my ends.
March 31st, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Don’t buy this product. It’s cheaply made and dealing with the company to return this piece of junk was a nightmare! What a scam!
March 31st, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Is it worth $150? Is it made out of sturdy material? How can a barrel that burns skin, not burn hair?
April 21st, 2009 at 12:39 pm
[...] night I bit the bullet and finally used the last of my Mix My Granola Hangry Heather’s Muesli Mix. Now that I am out I am considering entering Tina and Caitlin’s Mix My Granola Giveaways, but I am [...]
May 14th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Nice informative post as usual. I’ve just had a baby and haven’t worried about my appearance for almost a year now so it’s refreshing to read a post like this, thank you.
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:07 pm
[...] Almonds with the enhancers of Caffeine and Lucuma. I love Mix My Granola, and dearly miss my Hangry Heather’s Muesli Mix., but I think I could taste something odd about this. Not odd in a completely bad way, just maybe a [...]
July 11th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
[...] been a lucky lady with trying these new customized cereal and granola companies. I’ve tried Mix My Granola, Me & Goji and now Moja [...]
December 9th, 2009 at 8:47 am
I agree. Thanks for posting brs.