Easy Muesli

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Last week, merry. This week, frantic. The holidays are a trying time – all of us trying our best to get it all done. We are trying to do too much. Trying to do things that are superhuman (bûche de Noël, anyone?), trying to make everyone happy. And realizing that we are running out of time. Again. 

I cry a lot during the holidays. There’s so much joy and happiness, but the tears just seem to sit a little closer to the surface. Amidst all the carols, cookies, and cards – and all the trying – I very often find myself in tears. 

I come from a long line of holiday criers. My mom’s weak spot was the music. Anything about children and sleigh bells and she’d invariably well up. Her mother, who was even more soft hearted, was prone to crying on the stairs. At some point every holiday, she’d be there, the mood and the spirit of the present holiday, mixed with memories of the holidays gone by, just too much. I’d sit next to her and try to console her, but I really couldn’t understand how she felt. Until now. 

I, myself, am in a puddle for those sweet little voices in a children’s choir. And then there’s the holiday movies. Every single one of them is tear inducing, starting with It’s A Wonderful Life, and my personal favorite, Muppet Christmas Carol (I dare you to listen to those Paul William’s lyrics and stay dry-eyed). There’s even a part in The Nutcracker that always makes me tear. I feel my family all around me in the warm, dark theatre and heave a sigh that most of the hard work of the holiday is done. And without fail, I am dabbing at my eyes. It’s why I always remember to have kleenex in my purse. Just in case.

Sometimes it’s the memories. Other times, it’s the unrealistic expectations. There’s the image of the holiday, and there’s the reality of it. One year, my sweet cousin wanted to make scrapbooks for everyone. She worked long into the night finishing them, each one a work of art with it’s beautiful fabric cover. She also got no sleep and arrived the following morning with every single finger of both hands burned from working overtime with a glue gun. 

You need something to eat when you’re busy trying to do unreasonable things at unreasonable hours. Something to leave on your countertop so that others can eat well, too. Make a homemade healthy meal to have on hand for all the times you’re jangled. This Easy Muesli is a healthier, oil-free, no-sugar-added alternative to granola. It has plenty of protein and nutrients, and it’s easy to customize with your own blend of oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruit and spices. You can scoop and eat this for an easy breakfast, quick snack, or a no-cook dinner. 

Adapt the recipe to your liking. Any amount of seeds, nuts, dried fruit, etc. will work as will wheat flakes or oat flakes, which can also be added. I used pumpkin and sunflower seeds to make this nut-free, thinking I can add in whatever nuts I want to my individual servings as I go. Almonds are in the recipe, but go ahead and swap in any other nut if you like. To give this batch a little holiday, I added dried cranberries, but you could add cherries for an equal amount of merriness. 

Muesli is traditionally raw, but elements of it, like the oats, nuts, seeds and spices, can be toasted. Developed around 1900 by a Swiss physician, Dr. Bircher-Benner, muesli was designed to serve patients in his hospital. His original recipe was made with oats soaked in water for 12 hours, grated apples, nuts, lemon juice, cream and honey. Doesn’t that sound good?

Muesli is naturally plant-based, and can be gluten-free as well, if made with gluten-free oats. You can eat muesli cold with milk (like cereal), warm with milk or water (like oatmeal), soaked in milk or water or fruit juice overnight (like overnight oats), or layered with Greek yogurt and fresh berries (like a parfait). You can also add in toppings, like fresh or frozen fruit, nut butter or chocolate chips. If you want your muesli sweeter, you can even add a bit of honey or maple syrup. 

To serve, soak the muesli in milk, about 1/2 cup of each, for 15 minutes. Any kind of milk will work (Santa likes his with eggnog), and you can add more milk if you feel it’s too thick. Enjoy this just as is, or you an also try adding half an apple that has been grated, 1/4 cup of plain yogurt, and any other fresh fruit that you like, mixed with the oats before you let it sit for 15 minutes. 

Holidays are what you make of them. Make yours merry and be as nice to yourself as you are attempting to be to others. Don’t try to do too much. Now go to bed and get some sleep. 

Easy Muesli 

for muesli mix:

• 5 cups rolled oats (gluten-free, if needed)
• 1/2 cup flaxseed
• 1/2 cup chia seeds
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries
• 5 dried apricots, finely chopped
• 2 cups sliced almonds (or raw pumpkin and sunflower seeds for nut-free)
• 1 cup chopped dates 

optional add ins:

• 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup golden or brown raisins
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

for 1 serving: 

• 1/2 cup muesli mix
• 1/2 cup milk of choice (almond, cashew or coconut, if needed)
• 1/2 grated apple
• other fresh fruit
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt

For muesli mix: Mix oats, flaxseeds, chia seeds, dried cranberries or cherries, dried apricots, and 2 cups of sliced almonds, or a combination of raw pumpkin and sunflower seeds. Stir in chopped dates and any optional add ins; mix well. 

Transfer to a large storage container. Store airtight, up to 1 month. 

For baked muesli: Preheat oven to 350º F. Combine oats, seeds, nuts, and spices on a large baking sheet and toss briefly to combine. Bake 10-15 minutes, until nuts are fragrant. Add coconut, if using. Return to oven and bake 3-5 minutes, or until coconut is lightly golden. Let mixture cool at least 10 minutes. Add remaining ingredients (dried fruit, flax and chia seeds) and mix till combined. Transfer to a large storage container. Store airtight, up to 1 month. 

For individual serving: Mix 1/2 cup muesli mix with 1/2 cup milk. For Bircher Muesli, add 1/2 cup grated apple, fruit (if using), and yogurt. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.