Let's Talk Fat: Maple Grand-ola c/o Schlabach Amish Bakery

Every once in a while, you come across a food where it seems like your taste buds were throwing you a surprise party. You don't expect much, you open your mouth, place the food inside, and instant party. The kind of party that you savor, tell people not to talk to you, and then just enjoy. Nothing else on your mind but the array of flavors in your mouth. Thanks taste buds.

Well, the granola from the Schlabach Amish Bakery, particularly the Maple Grand-Ola variety, does just that. Party in your mouth. Mostly, because it tastes like a Paula Deen fantasy--salty butter. But then it's sweet, and crunchy, and just... well... YUM!

Amazingly, this grand-ola is actually pretty healthy for you, especially used sparingly over some plain Greek yogurt, or on top of ice cream if you're being truly decadent. Heck, I just eat it right out of the bag sometimes. The serving size is listed at 2/3 a cup--quite a generous portion for granola. But it's the ingredients that should make you thrilled: starting with rolled oats, brown sugar, rolled wheat, and then, the kicker--growth hormone-free butter (yay Food Matters!), whole wheat flour, unsweetened coconut, walnuts, maple syrup, salt, soda, and natural maple flavoring.

I can pronounce EVERYTHING on that list!

Now, the sodium isn't that high, the trans fat is 0g, and the sugars are only 14g per serving! Plus, 6g of protein. So it tastes like something bad for you, but with many positive ingredients (including oats, wheat, and walnuts), it's not! Good pre-run snack. Keeps my energy up for 5 miles, plus. Try it out!