• 1/2 cup high-fiber flakes
• 1/2 cup brown rice crisps
• 1/4 cup dried tart cherries, raisins, blueberries or currants
• 1 cup favorite granola
• Milk as needed

In an airtight bag, combine flakes, brown rice crisps, dried fruit and favorite granola. Shake bag gently to combine. Cereal can be eaten as a healthy snack or with milk as a meal option. Tightly sealed, cereal will keep one month in a dry, cool place.

Makes four servings.

• Per serving: 450 calories, 11 g total fat, 7 g saturated fat, 0 cholesterol, 230 mg sodium, 88 g carbohydrates, 5 g fiber, 50 g sugar, 10 g protein.

This is a version of muesli, the thick, sweet cereal mixture invented by a Swiss nutritionist.

SWISS COLD OAT CEREAL MIX

• 2/3 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup almonds
• 1 cup fresh or dried apples, peaches and/or raisins (or any combination)
• Yogurt, milk or cream to taste
• Honey, brown sugar, sugar or Splenda to taste

Combine oats, orange juice and lemon juice in a mixing bowl; cover and refrigerate for six hours or overnight. When ready to serve, stir in almonds and fruit. Combine with yogurt, milk or cream, depending on preference, and sweeten as needed.

Makes two servings.

• Per serving (not including yogurt, milk, cream, honey, or brown sugar to taste): 580 calories, 21 g total fat, 2 g saturated fat, 0 cholesterol,

500 mg sodium, 90 g carbohydrates, 12 g fiber, 52 g sugar, 13 g protein.

Source: Chef and granola entrepreneur Laura Slama

Granola has long been a favorite breakfast food or snack, but you've got to look hard to find varieties that aren't as sweet as candy. You can find rolls of kitchen parchment — useful for keeping the mixture from sticking while it bakes — next to the aluminum foil and plastic wrap.

30-MINUTE GRANOLA

• 3 cups regular rolled oats
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 ounces apple juice concentrate, unsweetened
• 3 tablespoons hot water
• 1/2 cup dried fruit of choice

In a bowl, combine oats, almonds, lemon and orange zest, cinnamon, brown sugar and kosher salt. Add apple juice concentrate and water and mix well with spatula or wooden spoon. Spread mix on parchment-lined sheet tray and bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes, moving granola every 10 minutes to bake evenly.

When granola is golden, remove and cool completely before adding dried fruit. Granola can be stored, tightly sealed, in a cool, dry place.

Makes four servings.

• Per serving: 430 calories, 10 g total fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 0 cholesterol, 600 mg sodium, 76 g carbohydrates, 9 g fiber, 33 g sugar, 13 g protein.

Source: chef and granola entrepreneur Laura Slama

Although it's all but impossible to duplicate flaked cereals at home —Êthe grains must be slowly cooked, then rolled flat and dried — you can replicate the popular Grape Nuts.

HOMEMADE 'GRAPE-NUT' CEREAL

• 3 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon soda
• 1 tablespoon
• vinegar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 to fl cup brown sugar

Mix flour, soda, sugar and salt. Mix vinegar with the milk and add to dry ingredients. Beat to a smooth batter. Spread batter

1/4 inch thick on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. When cool, break into chunks and put in blender a small handful at a time, turning on/off only a few seconds until crumbly, like Grape-Nuts. Dry completely in 200-degree oven, turning every so often. Makes about &Mac253; gallon.