Folkcrafts, Art, and Thoughts

“There is freedom waiting for you in the breezes of the sky and you ask – ‘What if I fall?’ Oh but my darling ‘What if you fly?’ ” ―Erin Hanson

Five everyday things that give me happiness are: waking up to a healthy family, settling down with a good book, watching my garden thrive, the clicking of knitting needles, and, finally, good homemade food. It’s very simple, but lately I’ve been collecting homemade granolas on my kitchen counter, and displaying them proudly in clear cannisters like a line of Matryoshka dolls. They’re delicious, wholesome, and much cheaper than those sold in markets.

Back in 2024, Hubby and I visited the Food exhibit at the National Museum of American History (NMAH), an exhibit on food and counterculture from the 1960s and 1970s. There, they featured a few recipes from the era, with Sunshine Happy Hippie Granola being one of the recipes presented. I couldn’t resist giving it a try, and also jumping down the rabbit hole of the history behind it.

The late 1960s and 1970s are some of my favorite eras because they represent some of the most intense periods in America where the social norms were changing, fueling fiery battles for equality, anti-war policies, and women’s autonomy. This era especially marked the hippie counterculture in the United States. It was characterized by a rejection of mainstream values and an embrace of peace, love, and alternative lifestyles. Hippies were often associated with anti-establishment beliefs, experimentation with psychedelics, and a focus on communal living. The movement also expressed opposition to the Vietnam War and emphasized environmental awareness. The counterculture had a significant impact on art, music, and social norms during that era. While reading the signs protestors created during that time, we can see parallels with the No Kings protests of the mid 2020s. Instead of getting out of Vietnam, we want to get out of the Middle East.

Food and Politics

It was during the 60s and 70s that major cultural and political changes were sweeping through American society. Between the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War, and corporate takeover of American life, “food became a tool of resistance, consciousness-raising, and self-expression. Activists for many causes rejected mass-marketed, mass produced food as symbols of the establishment” (NMAH, 2023). People also began to raise questions regarding the safety, production, and preparation of food. This led to a rise in alternative diets and lifestyles.

Many young people of the movement would make religious pilgrimages, volunteer for the Peace Corps, experiment with communal life at music festivals, and take part in peace marches (NMAH, 2023).

Woodstock 69

One of the most famous examples of counterculture music festivals is Woodstock ’69. Woodstock ’69 was a historic music festival held in Bethel, New York, in 1969. It became a symbol of the counterculture movement, featuring iconic performances by artists like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. The festival drew a massive crowd and is remembered for promoting peace and music.

There was a free kitchen at the festival where attendees cooked together. The Sunshine Happy Hippie Granola is one of several foods made at this festival. Its recipe was preserved and shared by the Woodstock Preservation Archives. The granola is super easy to customize and personalize. You can swap out raisins for dried cranberries, swap out walnuts for pistachios, and even swap maple syrup for honey. Personally, I love to swap the raisins for dried blueberries. If cashews, walnuts, almonds, and pecans are too expensive, you can use just peanuts and sunflower seeds.

It’s a simple gesture, but taking control over what we choose to buy and eat―and even how we make it―can be an empowering experience.

Ingredients

• 3 cups (300g) rolled oats
• 1 cup (110g) slivered almonds
• 1 cup (110g) cashews, walnuts, or pecans
• 1/2 cup (50g) shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup (30g) sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup (60g) firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (60ml) maple syrup
• 1/4 cup (60ml) canola oil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup (200g) raisins

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 250°F (125°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar. Mix well.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the maple syrup, oil, and salt. Add this mixture to the oat mixture and stir well until thoroughly combined.
4. Pour and spread the granola mixture onto two cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake the granola for 75 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes so that it bakes evenly.
6. Remove the granola from the oven. Allow it to cool for ten minutes before adding and mixing in the raisins.
7. Allow the granola to cool completely before storing into an air-tight bag or container.

References

National Museum of American History, (2023). Food: Transforming the American Table. Smithsonian.