Homemade Granola Bars

I may be an RD; but I am far from one of those "foodies."
Honestly, I don't particularly love cooking. I don't mind it, it just isn't a passion.
However, I am slowly starting to make more and more things from scratch in my kitchen. Now, we are not processed food eaters per say. I don't buy frozen meals ever, mostly because I know I can make it for cheaper, but I also can't claim to be a "clean" eater saying good-bye to all processed foods.

Sometimes that endeavor definitely intrigues me, but it also overwhelms me? Can I get an Amen?! I do the best I can with the budget we have and we provide delicious and healthy meals. Back to my main point I find the best way to tackle change is the same way you eat an elephant...one bite at a time.

My recent homemade items are salsa, black beans, white northern beans and now granola bars. As I get use to adding in a particular item into my cooking routine, I slowly pick another one to add.

My BFF gave me this recipe and it was delicious, but I have tweaked it a bit. After my 3rd attempt my family now loves them.

2 Cups rolled oats {old-fashion}
1/2C brown sugar
1/2 C wheat germ
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 C white/wheat flour {50-50 mix}
3/4 C raisins {optional}
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 C honey
1 egg, beaten
1/2 C no sugar added applesauce OR pumpkin puree OR mashed sweet potato
2tsp vanilla extract
1/2 C of choc. chips {optional}


Mix up all the ingredients in a bowl. Spread in a 9x13 pan. It is very sticky and you have to work with it.
Bake at 350*F for 30ish minutes. It will still be soft to the touch. Let stand for a few minutes then cut into bars. Cut before completely cooled or they can become too hard to cut. You should be able to get 20ish bars/ pan. They aren't huge, but filling! Way more filling than my nutri-grain bars. :)

Now as you can see I don't use "clean" ingredients, but I made them at home which decreases preservation ingredients, which is a win in my book. Baby steps. :)

I put the recipe into My Fitness Pal app and it estimated
Calories at ~144 calories/ bar
Protein ~3.3g
Fiber 1.9
Not a bad little snack. And like I said it hits the spot and fills me up better than other store bought granola bars.

Puppy Chow Almonds

While purusing some of my favorite health and fitness blogs I stumbled upon this recipe from the Lean Green Bean {a brand new RD I might add!}

Source: theleangreenbean.com via Michele on Pinterest

Who doesn't love puppy chow?!
And now this version makes it a healthy treat option.
As always moderation is the key, but now you can enjoy puppy chow without all the guilt.

Why are almonds good for you? 
Glad you asked!

*Almond nuts are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals and packed with numerous health promoting phyto-chemicals; the kind of well-balanced food ensuring protection against diseases and cancers.

*They are a complete source of energy and nutrients. Packed with minerals such as  manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium and vitamins such as vitamin E, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates. These vitamins and minerals keep your cells healthy and help fight off oxygen-free radicals!

*They are packed with GOOD fats, the mono-unsaturated kind that help LOWER bad cholesterol {LDL} and promote GOOD cholesterol {HDL}.

Hand full of almonds a day provides much of recommended levels of minerals, vitamins, and protein.