Quinoa Granola Bars

I stumbled across this recipe this morning, and LOVE how these granola bars turn out (after a few tweaks)

The perk is that these tasty granola bars are made with all natural products - quinoa, oats, peanut butter, honey, coconut, coconut oil, and nuts and fruits of one's choosing.  Nothing that I can't pronounce, and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

I don't feel guilty giving them to my kids to snack on, and know they'll get lots of energy from these yummy bars. 

1 C. uncooked quinoa

1 C. uncooked oats

1/2 C. coconut

1 C. combination of your favorite dried fruits & nuts

(think dates, raisins, blueberries, cranberries, walnuts, peanuts, pecans, peanuts etc)

1/4 t. salt

2 T. chia seeds

3/4 C. honey

1/2 C. peanut butter

3 T. brown sugar

1.5 T. coconut oil

Preheat oven to 350, and spread uncooked quinoa and oats on a cookie sheet.  Toast for 8-10 minutes. 

Place in a large bowl, and add coconut, 1 cup of any combination of chopped dates/craisins/raisins/walnuts/almonds/pecans etc. of your preference (I used walnuts, craisins, and raisins), and chia.

In a small saucepan, combine salt, honey, peanut butter, coconut oil, and brown sugar. 

Bring to a boil. Immediately remove from heat as it begins to boil.

Pour over oats mixture and mix until dry ingredients are completely coated.  

Press into greased 9x13 pan, and bake for 20 minutes.

Let cool for up to 2 hours, then cut for serving. 

If desired, mix 1 cup melted semi sweet chocolate chips with 1 Tablespoon coconut oil.

Dip cut granola bars into chocolate mixture, then place on parchment paper until hardened. 

Wrap individually, and store in cool, dry place. 

Cranberry Granola Power Bars

My husband is a runner and is preparing for a big race. As we've discussed different strategies for feeling good both during and after the race, I spent some time looking at different recipes for gels, goos, and gus. Interesting reading at least.
In my quest, I did find a recipe that piqued my interest on myonlinegourmet.com. Actually, I couldn't find the actual recipe on their site, but I found a video on YouTube that I was interested in.

I took their recipe and modified it and here's what I came up with.

1 1/2-2 c. walnuts
1 c. raw almonds
3 c. oatmeal
1/4 c. ground wheat or wheat germ

Place nuts in a plastic bag and break into pieces (with rolling pin)
Mix oats, nuts, and wheat in baking dish and bake in 350* oven for 20 minutes (stirring frequently lest it burn)

Meanwhile, combine the following ingredients:
1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 egg white
1 scoop gatorade powder (lemon-lime)
1 t. vanilla
1/4 t. salt
2 T. butter

Mix together and THEN turn on the heat stirring constantly (careful that the egg white doesn't cook.) After mixture reaches a boil, continue to stir and cook for an additional 30 seconds, then remove from heat.

Remove oat/nut mixture from oven and pour into large bowl. Add cooked liquid mixture and 1 c. dried cranberries and mix with a wooden spoon. Pour into a 9x13 pan lined with parchment paper. Using another sheet of parchment paper spread out and press down, compacting the mixture. Allow to cool for 2 hours, cut into bars.