Vibrant Living

We have promoted the lara bars to many of you as a snack, well here is how you can make a version of the lara bar at home.

Since we are talking about Valentine’s day and heart health, the apricots are rich in beta carotene which help to prevent LDL from oxidation and protect our heart.

The almonds, like most raw nuts are rich in good fats. Cinnamon is now being found to be a great superfood!! It has been shown to be good for lowering bad cholesterol and protecting the heart, and is great for lowering blood sugars.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp chopped dates
• 6 Tbsp chopped dried apricots (you can get organic ones from the health food store or bulk barn)
• 1/3 cup almonds
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Set out two pieces of plastic wrap for shaping and wrapping the bars. Do this first; you’ll have sticky fingers when you need it.
2. Place the dates and apricots in a food processor. Pulse until processed to a paste Transfer paste to a medium bowl
3. Add the nuts to the processor and pulse until finely chopped
4. Add the nuts, along with the cinnamon, to the bowl with the fruit paste
5. Use your fingers to knead the nuts into the paste…kids love this part!!
6. Divide mixture in half. Place each half on each of one of the sheets of plastic wrap.
7. Wrap the plastic around each bar and start squishing into a bar shape form, 3 and 1/2 inches long, 1 inch wide and 3/4-inch thick)
8. Press against countertop to flatten bottom side, flattening top side and ends with flat of hand
9. Tightly wrap the plastic around each bar and store in the refrigerator.
10. Makes 2 bars.

I usually double or triple the recipe if I am going to make these!!

With all this talk about healthier choices for breakfast cereals and breakfast bars I would like to give you some tasty easy to make homemade recipes for energy bars that can be used for a balanced breakfast or as a nutritional snack.

Bars are among the easiest and least time-consuming to prepare and the only equipment you need is a food processor.  You will find these bars to be a big contrast to the regular cereal bars.  They are filled with nutrient dense foods that will give you all the nourishment you need to have an invigorating start to the day and sustainable energy throughout your day.

You can eat 1 to 2 bars a day, and if you make them in big batches the bars will last longer.  When preparing in big batches you can individually wrap the bars and put them in the freezer and grab them when needed.   The bars will not freeze solid so there is no thawing required.  Since the bars don’t freeze fully they are a great treat to take while doing winter sports such as skiing or snow shoeing.  These bars will stay supple and chewy where as most processed commercial bars will freeze solid.  You can even through a few in your freezer at work and if you didn’t have time to pack a lunch or are working late you can use the bars as a nutritional meal or snack.

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