TWD: Great Grains Muffins

Oh hai. Research, it has stolen my soul, my life, my sleep, and my peace of mind. Fie on it! Well, fie on that one particular analytical instrument (it's this one, in case you're wondering) ((well, something like that one, since the one we have is more like 30 years old) that is actually owned by a Chemistry professor who needs it ASAP (ohmygodhislifewillendifhedoesn'tgetitinthenext3.5749minutes). That pesky instrument is incredibly necessary for a potential paper and a grant proposal, leading to all sorts of wacky scheduling so we can cram our experiments into the next week. Which has led to a complete lack of predictable schedule, lack of baking opportunities, yada yada yada. Hello, welcome to my life. It's utterly boring, complete with 12 hour days spent in darkened labs! (because god help us if UV light hits any of our precious particles. uppity little buggers.)

 
In other news, I'm upping my running and exercise variety as well. As in, I severely under-dressed for a speed workout yesterday, but still managed to gut through 6x400 and a 200 thrown in for good measure. What can I say? The adorably baby blue track got to me! Unfortunately, so did the cold, as I was able to keep my legs warm but my fingers had shooting pains in them. Yay? I'll blame it on peer pressure and move on, mkay? Well, hobble on. It's sortakindamaybe been a while since I've hit up a track. Which is why today = spin class. First wreak havoc on one set of muscles, then switch it up to another! Because it's better to be in pain all the time.

 
Oh, and right. Muffins. May I mention again my thanks for the muffin picks? Number one, muffins = frosting-less cake. WIN. Number two, 10 minute prep, 20 minute bake. WIN. Number three, grab-and-go breakfasts for J. WIN. Number four, these muffins have some dubious claim to health due to the grains and nuts and dried fruit. WIN. J really liked them, and said they lasted quite well throughout the week, not getting stale or dry. They're definitely a hearty little muffin, with adorable little flat tops. Because yes, I think of food as being cute, adorable, gorgeous, or some other random adjective that is generally not applied to food. But it's okay. I'm already weird. In case you hadn't noticed. (And rustic is good! Homely is good! Both are also goddamned tasty. It's just that some baked goods just scream cute.)

 
P.S. Some people mentioned that their muffins baked up quite quickly. I didn't notice, since I generally have issues already with baking things in my current oven. It's hinky beyond all belief. But in case you actually have a legitimate oven? Check them as much as 5-8 minutes before you think they'll be done. Heck, do that with any baked good, it's a good practice to get into. Well, that and recognizing things are done by smell, which is my current favorite party trick.

 
Last Week: Nutty Chocolatey Swirly Sour Cream Bundt Cake
Next Week: Bourbon Bread Pudding