Hello September! September means back to school and although I’m not going back to school in the same way, I’m still helping people prepare for back to school. What better way to celebrate back to school then with a snack you and your kids can pack in your lunch boxes?
You probably already know this, but I’ll tell you anyways – theme of my life: Out with the processed foods and in the with healthy, fresh, REAL food.
Part of my job that I am in love with (besides all of it) is getting people to swap out their packaged processed food for fresh, real foods with ingredients you can recognize. That IS, after all, my whole philosophy & mantra behind Pure Bliss Eats.
When one of my client’s kids shared with me that she loved the Nature Valley Oats and Dark Chocolate bars, I knew I had a mission to make a homemade EASY version of it. While Nature Valley bars are not the worst of the worst, it still has some iffy ingredients in it, like “natural flavor” (what?!), 3 types of sweeteners (sugar, honey, brown sugar syrup) and 2 types of flour (soy flour and corn flour).
I quickly got to work making a healthy, homemade version. My requirements for this were: soy free, low sugar, whole grain, animal free. Check, check, check, check. Oh and delicious, obviously.
mixed up
rolled out
flipped, baked & done!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix spelt flour, oats, cocoa, salt in a large mixing bowl. Add in agave nectar and honey and mix well. Next, add in flax eggs and mix again. Lastly, add in baking soda and chocolate chips. Mix well to combine. Spoon batter out on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper or a slipat. Cover with wax paper and using a rolling pin, roll out to make batter even. Bake for 12 minutes and remove from oven. Trim sides and cut into 12 squares. Flip over and bake for 10 more minutes. Remove from oven and put bars on a cooling rack. Let cool and then enjoy!
These can be eaten for a snack OR breakfast. They are chock full of whole grains, low in gluten & sugar and you can READ all of the ingredients. They are also crunchy like the real (fake) thing. Yum. Whether you are a mom or not, these are a must make!
What’s your favorite swap from a processed packaged food to the real thing?
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
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Matt @ The Athlete’s Plate recently posted..Featured Blogger: Lindsay
AHHH DELICIOUS! Bring some for me =]
I love nature valley bars… they’re so crunchy and delicious. I bet your homemade version rocks, because homemade is always better!!
Dana recently posted..Seven Links Challenge
I LOVE Nature’s Path oats & honey bars! They remind me of my childhood. I have to give these a try. I like making a “clean” version of KFC chicken fingers+mac & cheese. That used to be my favorite fast food meal.
janetha recently posted..teeth + tracking.
These look great! Thanks for sharing the recipe. My boyfriend will love you. He’s addicted to them. I think we have 3 different flavors in the pantry.
Love how you recreated these granola bars for your kids! I’ll be making some myself with the school starting.
Jeanette recently posted..50 Women Game-Changers In Food – Rachel Ray – Tuna Marinara with Pasta
those granola bars remind me of childhood!
thanks for the recipe, I love a crunchy granola bar that is REAL!
Kristina @ spabettie recently posted..kohlrabi cure all
OoOoO these look delightful!!!
I think my favourite swap is muffins….I absolutely love making my own nutritious muffins over buying them ANY DAY.
I’m trying out a breakfast cookie this weekend and then THAT will be my fav….
I am 100% with you on the REAL food…Well done!
Katie@Real Food Katie’s Way recently posted..A Love Letter To My Kitchen
Love this recipe!!! I am totally with you on making your own bars!!!
Have a great day!
LizAshlee recently posted..Double Chocolate Cookie Dough Bites with…
love this recipe!
I have made homemade poptarts before with REAL fruit filling…awesome!
Kelly recently posted..24 hours in fear
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