Apple Spice Bars

Are you still eating "nutrition" bars that claim to fuel your fitness endeavors? Have you checked the ingredients in those bars?  How long is the list? Can you easily pronounce ALL ingredients? Have you "decoded" some of the ingredients to unveil the true ingredient?  Some may seem completely innocuous, right?  Let me help.

Brown Rice Syrup = sugar

Rice Crisps = sends blood glucose sky high (think sweetened Rice Crispies...same)

Barley Malt =  boiled down variety of grain until starch is converted to sugar.

Evaporated Cane Juice Syrup = brown sugar (duh)

Fractionated Palm Kernel Oil = vegetable equivalent of wax (and you don't want to know what it does to your bowels)!

Hydrogenated/Partially Hydrogenated Oils = do we have to discuss those again??

Get rid of those glorified candy bars and treat yourself to something that contains 3-4 basic ingredients and are Gluten-free, Soy-free, Dairy-free. 

Key word: TREAT.  These shouldn't be eaten every day for every snack, folks.  Remember my post on "moderation"??

Ingredients:

6 dates, pitted

1/4 apple, roughly chopped 

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 pinch cloves (optional)

1/2 cup raw walnuts

1/2 cup raw almonds

In food processor, process dates and apples for about 20-30 seconds until mixture forms into a loose ball.

Remove fruit mixture, set aside.  Add nuts and process until finely chopped.  

Add fruit mixture and spices back into nut mixture and process until everything is thoroughly mixed.  Using your hands, take a portion and mold into bar size, bite size or any size.  At this point, you can either wrap all bars individually or place in tightly sealed container.  Place in fridge to chill.

I have the following other bars (email me if you want the recipe):

Blueberry Muffin

Cashew Cookie

Key Lime Pie

Almond/Sun Butter Cookie

Coconut Macaroon

Pecan Pie