Chewy Granola Bars

This recipe hits it out of the park....When enjoying these, I have to remind myself that they are healthy!  Truly a treat and an indulgent one at that!!!!

THIS RECIPE AGAIN PROOVES THAT HEALTHY CAN BE VERY YUMMY!!!! 


I chose to use my homemade granola in place of the nut mixture to incorporate the crispiness of the baked granola.  Also I used olive oil in this recipe because I find coconut oil to be a strong flavor.  I am thrilled however to have finally found a granola recipe that pleases my man clan. 

Combine in small sauce pan. Heat until pourable. Do not boil.
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup olive oil
2/3 cup local honey
1 cup natural peanut butter or almond butter


Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2 cups quick oats
1 cup (total) of your choice sunflower seeds, flax seeds, dried fruit bits, carob chips
(I use 1 cup of my homemade granola)
1 cup organic brown rice cereal crisps
(Erewhon Organic Crispy Brown Rice found in organic food section at Walmart)
1/8 -1/4 cup carob chips (optional)


Pour honey, oil and PB mixture over oat mixture and combine well...refrain from eating it by the spoonful warm...Soooo delic!  The best decription yet is..."it is like the combination of a peanut butter rice crispy treat and a granola bar."
My inspiration for this recipe came from Laura at Heavenly Homemakers....

Salsa

It is that wonderful time of year when the tomatoes are absolutely worth craving!  Copious tomatoes call for salsa making!  Here is the link for a simple,tried and true recipe!

Colleen's Crackers

1 1/2 c. Whole Wheat Flour*
1/4 c. Soy Flour (I use whole wheat there too)*
1/4 c. Sesame Seeds (I do 2 TBS flax seed 2 TBS Sesame Seeds)
3/4 tsp. Salt
Stir together above ingredients (if adding flax seed, combine now with dry ingredients)

1/4 c. Canola or Olive Oil
Cut in the oil.

1/2 c. Water
Add until pie crust consistency.
I roll the dough out onto a silpat and bake on the silpat.
Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes
I brake the crackers into pieces after they cool.  Enjoy with sugar free jellies or chicken salad or just alone for a very healthy crunchy treat.

(The next time I make these I will take pictures to insert.)
*This recipe can also be made by inserting brown rice flour and oatmeal flour.  The rice/oat version is more like a flaky pie crust consistency.  Good...very good!  The Oat/Rice version uses very little water...add a TBS at a time.

Snow peas and walnuts...

Man clan is always hungry and wanting to know if I brought a snack when picking them up from school.  Yesterday I surprised them with grilled chicken tenders.  They each had 2 large tenders.  Once that was inhaled they grabbed their lunch boxes to see what they had left from snack and lunch.  The first announced...I have snow peas!  The echo from the back seat was...I have some walnuts!!! 

Thank the Lord!!! They have come so far in this dietary overhaul.  I rejoiced inwardly that they are content with whole, natural foods!  The changes made have greatly improved their seasonal asthma.  I am happy to report that the diet and prayer has made a tremendous improvement.

We still live in America and the processed, prepackaged and sugar is impossible to avoid all the time, but there are signs of the boys learning and making better choices that will improve their health for many years to come.  

Sweet Cinnamon Roasted Nuts

Mix 6 packets of stevia with 2 tsp of cinnamon

Beat an egg white. (I did not get a pic of this)

I promise you can do this!

Next toss 2 cups of nuts in the egg white.

Now pour on the stevia and cinnamon....

 Even at this point they smell wonderful...they get better!

This here is my silpat...love, love, love these Demarle products!

Pour out the nuts on the Silpat.  Place into 300 degree oven. 25-30 minutes...stirring them every 10 minutes.  I tell you they come out of the oven singing and poping ...more musical than rice crispies...

Allow them to cool.  Enjoy!  They are addicting and oh, so healthy too.  Can't keep the man clan out of them!  My nut jar is empty right now...gotta make some more!

Lemon Yogurt

Lemon Yogurt...sugar free...healthy and wellness plan approved!  So simple!!! Here goes.  Get a bowl and wisk!  You are ready!

1 lg container of plain yogurt                                       

3 small lemons

Juice them...
















I have really liked this juicer from Pampered Chef....

now add:
1/2 -1 tsp stevia

I whisked all three ingredients together ...and still wanted more lovely lemony flavor...so that is when I decided to add zest.

So simple to do...just got my old box grater that has 4 cutting options.  I use the tiniest grater option for zest.  It works for me and I don't have to keep up with the zester.  I bought one once, but I lost it.  I love my old box grater.  It goes back to my love for old things, but that is a whole other blog posting! 

Enjoy the lovely lemon yogurt, knowing that it is 100% sugar free and healthy!