I like to start out roasting all of the nuts. I usually put the sliced almonds and sunflower seeds together on one sheet (they will be mixed in together) and the walnuts on a separate sheet. Throw them in the oven preheated to 350 degrees for 10-15 mins or until they smell amazing. When they are done, finely chop the walnuts until they look like crumbs. I usually just put them in the food processor.

Turn your oven down to 325 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine oats, oat bran, flax seed, and nuts in a huge bowl or pot.

In a sauce pan, stir together salt, brown sugar, honey, oil, applesauce, cinnamon and vanilla. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

Pour syrup into oat mixture. Stir to coat evenly. Spread mixture evenly onto baking sheets (press it into pans to make more clumps).

Bake for 12 minutes, stir, press into pans again and bake for another 12 minutes or so. Granola will get crispier as it cools. Let cool completely, break apart and stir in raisins.

Store in an air tight container in refrigerator for best shelf life. Like I said, I usually freeze half of it.

Enjoy!

By the way, if you have never roasted nuts before, beware you might become addicted like me :) There is something about the roasting process that bring out the flavor so much more, and your house will smell amazing. Try roasting almonds and eating them as a snack with dark chocolate chips. Pretty much the best snack ever! (and a healthy one at that) :)

On a side note, I'm going to tell Bennett someday in the distant future that he will look like this if he ever wants to drink...