Easy Replacement

Do your kids love these?

Wouldn't you love a healthy, non processed replacement?

Try THESE!

(you may want to add some more honey if you are a sweet tooth, But I thought they were perfect)


(Aim to use a low sugar organic Granola and Brown Rice Cereal (at health food store) for rice krispies)

Pin It

See ya Soon

So I am going out of town for a couple weeks, obviously I won't be cooking anything. So the posts will be slim! But keep trying the recipes! I am leaving you all with a new granola bar recipe that I just love! Its totally my new favorite. I got it from a blog a friend told me about called the smittenkitchen.com. (not all healthy, but some GREAT recipes)

My husband even loved the bars! The only thing is they were slightly dry, and had a hard time staying together. I may add a little oil, or slightly more honey (or agave) next time. But they were YUMMY! The recipe would also make GREAT granola! We were actually throwing the bars in a bowl with milk!

The key is coarse Kosher Salt - this made for a great sweet/salty taste.

I used blueberries, currants, and pureed dates (a very sweet fruit) for the dried fruit. YUM!

I also added some ground flaxseed, and sunflower seeds, just to sneak in some more healthiness. :)

The perfect snack for the airplane!

You can get the recipe HERE

Pin It

Granola Bar Low-Down

This one is tricky. I have been searching for the best granola bar recipe for years! One that kids will eat and enjoy for a snack, and one that's not full of processed junk. So I found my top three and wanted to share. Enjoy making something you know your kids can snack on all they want! And please - share your thoughts!

First Place:

Fruit and Nut Energy Bars

These are the best! Simple ingredients, easy to make, and so tasty! So much sweeter than I had expected, but no added sugar! They barely lasted one day!

The recipe says it makes six, but I only got three. So double the recipe. Or better yet, Triple it and freeze some! Thats what I am planning on doing. There are a lot of variations on this one - and they are all good! I think I like the cherry one the best. You tell me what you think.

Click here for recipe.

Second Place:

Macro Bars

I got this recipe from my good old Rawsome Recipe cookbook, some of it is quack I have to admit, but this recipe is a gem! I love pure wholesome ingredients and you will be shocked when you taste it! Just don't tell anyone whats in them! I think they are good enough to serve at a luncheon. :) My three year old could not stop eating them!

1/2 C Melted Organic Butter (I only did about a 1/3)

1/2 C Agave or Honey (kids love it with maple syrup)

1 1/4 C Whole Wheat Pastry Flour

1/2 C Rolled Oats

1/2 C millet, ground in a processor or coffee grinder (I didn't grind mine and it was fine, slightly more crunchy)

1 tsp cinnamon

1 C prunes, soaked in enough warm water to cover them for 1 hour.

1- Drain prunes, saving water

2- Combine all ingredients except prunes. If too dry, slowly add prune water.

3- Spread dough on cookie sheet. Keep hands moist so it doesn't stick.

4- Process prunes in processor with enough of the prune water to make a firm, but spreadable icing.

5- Spread prune topping on batter and bake 25 minutes at 350. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Third place:

Walnut and Dried Cherry Bars

These are the perfect balance between yummy and healthy, with good fats and full of fiber! I put these third place because they are a little more time intensive and slightly messy considering they have jam on top. They slightly have more of an adult taste and texture, but they are good!

1 C quick cooking Oats
3/4 C Whole-Wheat pastry flour, White whole wheat Flour, or just whole wheat flour
1/4 C toasted wheat Germ
1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 C Honey
1/3 C unsweetened Applesauce
1/4 C Canola Oil
1 egg, beaten
1 egg white
3/4 C Chopped dried tart cherries
1/2 C finely chopped walnuts
1/4 C "Fruit Only" preserves

(some of these ingredients can be hard to find. I usually find everything at Trader Joes, but I am sure whole foods would carry the tart cherries and fruit preserves. Wheat Germ is sold at your grocery store.)

Combine dry ingredients. In seperate bowl combine wet ingredients (excluding perserves) Mix both together well, place in lightly greased 8x8 pan and bake for 30 minutes at 350. Bring preserves to boil in small saucepan. Spread a thin layeracross bars right when they get out of oven, let cool completely, cut into bars about 4 x 1 1/2 inches, and store in airtight container.
Hope You Enjoy!!
(I got this recipe from one of my favorite shows on the Food Network called Healthy Appetite!)

Pin It