I figured out what my life is all about!  Well, no, not really.  But I figured out what my blog is about: miserable fun!  Yup, Type 2 Fun.  Fun that isn’t fun until it’s over.  I willingly, often eagerly involve myself in things that make me somewhat (or quite a bit) miserable at the time but I call fun later.

It’s taken me 80 posts over nearly two years to figure out what the common thread is behind my blog.  Which I suppose that makes it also about patience.

So I’ve written a second About page.  It’s about the blog, as opposed to about me.  Check it out! I could also use a subtitle.  Like Midwest With Zest: Questionable Fun.  Eh??  Have any other ideas for a subtitle?

Oh, and here’s my new granola recipe.  Because I figure you’re reading this not just because I need help thinking of a subtitle.
I would have never started making granola except for Will hating oatmeal and the need for some serious fiber on our recent winter camping trip.   Totally miserable fun.  I wouldn’t keep making it if it wasn’t so freak’n easy.  It’s also going in my pre-race menu.
It’s based off of Cook’s Illustrated March/April 2012 recipe.

Preheat oven to 325.  Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Put in a large bowl:
1/3 c light brown sugar
1/3 c maple syrup
1/2 c vegetable oil
1/2 t salt
4 t vanilla extract (next time I’m substituting 2t for almond extract)
zest of one orange
Whisk together.  Don’t forget this or you’ll get clumps of brown sugar 😦

Stir in:
1.5-2 c raw almonds – roughly hand chopped.  Seriously, don’t over chop.
5 c thick rolled (aka old-fashioned) oats.  Not the quick or thin oats!
~1/3 c golden flax seeds (for more roughage)

Once the oats are well coated in the mixture, pour onto parchment lined pan.  Using a metal spatula press the oats down firmly.

Bake for 45-55min.  Rotate about half way through.  Remove when browned and edges are clearly toasty.  Allow to cool in pan about 1 hour.  Crumble to your desired chunkiness.

Add dried fruit!  My favorite is a mix of blueberries and cherries.

I eat it with a little hot water on cold mornings.  Will has his with cold milk.  Left very chunky you could have it as a snack.