Easy Granola Bars (& Happy Birthday, Uncle Gil!)

Most of you probably know that I'm not a cook, nor do I bake very well.  But... One of Matt's co-workers gave us some very yummy granola bars when we had Tripp, and lucky me (and now you)... she included the recipe with the batch she sent home with Matt.

I've now made them 3 times, and they're yummy and relatively healthy, so I thought I would share the recipe.  So... here goes:

Ingredients:
2 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup old fashioned oats
1/4 cup of sunflower seeds (like the kind you put on salads)
2/3 cup sliced almonds
2/3 cup peanut butter chips
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can (14 oz) fat free sweetened condensed milk
pinch cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
drizzle of vanilla extract


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a 13x9-inch pan with lightly-greased foil or non-stick foil.  Leave extra foil on the ends to allow for removal from the pan after cooking.


Mix all ingredients into a bowl.  Spread into the prepared pan, evenly pressing the corners and to the sides.  Bake in the oven until the edges are golden brown (about 20 minutes).


Allow the bars to cool for 5 minutes in the pan before lifting out using the extra foil edges.  Use a sharp knife to cut the bars into squares.  Allow the bars to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Enjoy!

.... and here's a new picture of Tripp, kicking out of his miracle blanket swaddle.  Maybe he just needed some air conditioning in this Atlanta heat!

... and, today is Uncle Gil's 33rd birthday.  He and Tripp have not yet met, so I do not have any pictures to share, but we all hope he has a great birthday and can't wait for them to meet!

Hope everyone's having a happy hump day!

Meg