Homemade Energy Bars

Homemade Energy Bars

I used to buy energy bars before I had kids. Considering they cost many dollars each, it for sure was an expensive habit and not very sustainable for either my wallet or the planet. These days, I really don’t eat individually packaged processed food, so power bars are something I would never buy. However, there are times when a quick energy bar is a good idea, especially for the kids and when  I’m out and about so now I make my own. They are both better for me and the planet, and cost little to make.

No Bake Energy Bar — Recipe adapted from Trash Is for Tossers

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup chopped almonds
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
• 2 Tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 cup popped quinoa
• 1 cup nut or seed butter (almond,  peanut or sunflower butter works.) I use peanut.
• 3/4 cup maple syrup

1. Pop the quinoa. (See instructions for how to do this here.)

2. Add all ingredients one by one into a mixing bowl.

3. Using your hands, combine thoroughly.

4. Transfer to a 9 x 13 baking pan that is lightly greased with coconut oil to prevent sticking.

5. Refrigerate for a few hours to harden the ingredients.

6. Slice into energy bars and enjoy!

.Homemade Lara Bars—Recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie

• ½ cup unsalted cashews
• A scant 1 ¼ cup dates
• Small pinch salt
• Optional: some fresh vanilla bean or 1 Tbsp. carob powder

1. Blend in your food processor until it’s a sticky dough.
2. Form into any shapes. I personally like to make them look like Lara Bars — log-alike☺