Epiphany arrives as... granola.

Sometimes, I'm just rolling along and I'm suddenly hit upside the head with the realization I've been doing something lame and stupid for years.

Case in point: Granola. Why have I been buying granola? I feel like such a dope for having paid Kellogg's to make a substandard version of it for me.

It's painfully quick and easy to make. It creates a warm, homey aroma in your kitchen. It's fresh. It's yummy. It's cheap. And when you make it at home, you can put whatever you want in it. Looking to make it healthier? Toss in some extra oat bran. Not a big fan of raisins? No problem. Love hazelnuts more than life itself? Go nuts. Literally.

This stuff is good with milk, nice for crunch over yogurt, ice cream, fresh fruit or pudding. Get yourself a big tin of rolled oats and forage for some dried fruit and nuts in the back of your cupboard. Don't be a rube like me. Stop buying granola. Take this recipe and fly free, little sparrow.

DIY Granola Base Recipe
4.5 cups rolled oats (NOT instant)
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp molasses
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup canola oil (or another light, unflavored oil)

Heat oven to 350F. Mix ingredients (add in 1 cup of your favorite chopped nuts or seeds, if you wish: sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, almonds, pecans, etc.) Spread the mix on a sheet tray and bake 15-20 minutes, stirring once or twice during baking to cook evenly. Cool tray on a rack, stirring occasionally. Add dried fruit, if desired, after granola has cooled.

Try: coconut flakes, macadamia nuts and dried pineapple ...or hazelnut and cranberry ...dried cherries and almonds ...dried apple and walnut