healthy start to the day

I got out some pretty antique glassware to serve this layered, crunchy treat.  I love McDonald's Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait.  I have tried to replicate this several times without luck.  Finding the right yogurt has been the issue.  When I saw this recipe for Strawberry Yogurt Crunch, in yet another children's cookbook, it caught my eye for it's appearance and ease.  I have to say this is the closest I have gotten to the McDonald's version.  The yogurt is still not what I'm looking for.  Honey really adds the sweetness you need.  I substituted almonds for the pumpkin seeds.  You could swap strawberries for favorite fruits such as blackberries, blueberries, bananas and peaches.  These parfaits would also be delicious for dessert!



Ingredients:
1 cup whole strawberries
4 tbsp fresh orange juice
2/3 cup whole oats
3 tbsp sunflower seeds
3 tbsp pumpkin seeds
2-3 tbsp clear honey
12 tsp thick plain yogurt

Cut stems and leaves from strawberries.
Thinly slice the fruit.
Put strawberries in a bowl and add orange juice.
Set aside.

Put oats in a non-stick skillet.
Toast over a medium-low heat for 3 minutes.
Turn oats occasionally with a wooden spoon.

Add sunflower and pumpkin seeds.
Substitute, as desired.
Toast mixture for 2 minutes or until light golden.
Take care-the pumpkin seeds may pop a little.

Take pan off the heat.
Stir in the honey-it will sizzle at first.

Keep stirring until the oats and seeds are coated.
Allow to cool slightly.

Put a layer of oats in the bottom of each glass.

Add 2 heaped spoonfuls of yogurt.
Add fruit.

Add another layer of each.



SOURCE:  Graimes, Nicola. "Strawberry Yogurt Crunch." Recipe. Kid's Fun and Healthy Cookbook. New York: DK Publishing, 2007. 24-25.

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                Kids' Fun and Healthy Cookbook, is a wonderful collection of recipes, quick lessons to make healthy kids’ food and interesting food facts. The cookbook includes food group basics, up to date information about healthy foods and nutrients, and pointers for planning healthy diets for kids. The book will make a great addition to a household looking for preschooler-friendly meals that also happen to be healthy.