Honey Granola - Request for tips

Need a snack fix and not feel guilty? Garrett popcorns too expensive for you? Cheetos makes your teeth yellow? Here's a quick fix! Granolas. Get it in the oven in 8 minutes tops. Bake for 20 minutes, mix it around, bake for another 20 minutes. Smell that? Yeap, it's done! Take it out from the oven. Let it cool. And you've got your snack and breakfast.

Right at this point, I would like to share with you a happy parcel I received from my mother. (Thanks mom!) I'm nothing but a mere junior at all of this. Hence, when friends asked me how did i manage to produce pretty pictures, I was embarrassed. I look forward to playing around with these new little gems. However, before i begin, I need tips from you (yeah, YOU) pro's! So, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE leave me some tips/ comments on how to improve my pictures or email me or poke me or something. I'll send you a lollipop! 

A few things I can't alter: 

1. Stupid angles where the daylight chooses to shine in my apartment. 

2. My running speed to chase after the ever-so-changing angles of the morning sun.

3. My camera lens.

4. I have no clue on how to use the P's F's V's X's whatever they are :(  (if someone can teach me)

5. My ability to learn no. 4.

6. My ability to annoy people in 5 seconds. (If this matters)

Back to the Granola, this is my second try with Granolas. Unlike the previous "Honey Granola without Honey", I followed the recipe. I would have to admit my previous try was as yummy but less healthy. This tells you... tweak the recipe, heck, re-vamp your own and just play around. 

Honey Granola Recipe - Joy Of Baking
Ingredients:

3 cups (300 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant)

1/2 cup (75 grams) whole raw almonds

1/2 cup (45 grams) raw sunflower seeds

1/2 cup (45 grams) raw pumpkin seeds

1/4 cup (30 grams) sesame seeds

1/2 tablespoon (5 grams) wheat germ (optional)

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup (60 ml) water

1/4 cup (60 ml) canola oil

1/2 cup (120 ml) honey

2 tablespoons (25 grams) light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup dried fruits (cranberries, cherries, apricots, dates, figs, and/or raisins) (optional)

Directions:
In a large bowl combine the rolled oats, nuts, seeds, wheat germ, ground cinnamon, and salt. 

In a small saucepan, stirring constantly, bring just to a boil the water, oil, honey, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and toss together, making sure all the dry ingredients are coated with the liquid. 

Spread onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 25 -40 minutesor until golden brown, stirring occasionally so the mixture browns evenly. (The browner the granola gets the crunchier the granola will be.

Place on a wire rack to cool. You will notice that the granola may still be sticky when it is removed from the oven but it will become crisp and dry as it cools. 

Make sure to NOT break up any large clumps of granola while the mixture is still warm. Once the granola has completely cooled, store in an airtight container or plastic bag in the refrigerator. It will keep for several weeks (yea, right.... no.).

Puppy Eyes,

Jes