One thing we love to do in our house is cook… now if you have read this blog recently, you know I have a very picky eater.  Here are some snack style recipes that are healthy, fun to make that even my picky eater LOVES!

This first one the recipe was originally from allrecipes.com then changed by my friend Cherise and then of course we play with it each time we make it! )

Thank you Christina for your photo, as I forgot to take on the last time I made these

Granola Bars

These are chewy granola bars, as those are the kids my kids prefer (rather than crunchy).

4 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspon baking soda
1 teaspon vanilla extract
1 cup butter, softened (I use smart balance)
3/4 cup honey

Preheat oven to 325.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the butter, honey, and vanilla (I usually stick it in the microwave to melt the butter just a bit and then it mixes together very nicely).

In a larger mixing bowl, combine the oats, flour, and baking soda. Then, pour the "wet" ingredients in and mix together.

Lightly press mixture into A 9X13 pan and bake for 18-20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.

*Note: I store mine in the fridge, because the kids like them that way. You can also make variations to this basic recipe. I have cut the honey down to 1/2 cup and added 1/2 cup of peanut butter in addition before and they liked that (they are a little more crumbly and less chewy though). You can also add things like chocolate chips, raisins,nuts, dried fruit, etc.

Arbonne Protein Bars – Krispies version!

2 cups organic/natural peanut butter (I use Jif Natural)

1 3/4 cups honey (use local and it will help with your allergies!)

2 1/4 cups Arbonne protein powder (vanilla or chocolater; we prefer vanilla in this house1)

4 cups organic, gluten-free Crispy Brown Rice Cereal (like Rice Krispies, found at Health Food Store – in a pinch I use regular Rice Krispies)

Mix peanut butter and honey together heat in microwave for 90 seconds and then add protein powder and rice cereal all together.  Place in pan and chill for 1 hour and cut into bars. (we prefer to make them into ball shapes using a cookie scoop, I make ~100 balls per recipe)

Don't forget to take a look at my Peanut Butter Protein Balls Original recipe!  Yumm!  I make at least one of these recipes every week.  We all love them and it makes sure we don't put the unnecessary extra sugar and preservatives into our body.

Share with us a favorite recipe or let us know if you have made one of these recipes… what did you think?

Here is to making YOUR life a healthy, happy journey!

Blessings!

Dawn