Friday, May 20, 2011

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

12 comments:

  1. I would LOVE you to post all those recipes! if you don't want to post please email to me! i love your simple recipes! my email is sidneylawson4@gmail.com Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you Sid! I have received similiar requests, so perhaps I will do a post on some of the other ones. If not, I will certainly send you the recipes!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I would love the recipes as well. I'm pretty sure you still have my email..If not let me know. Thanks for all your hard work on keeping us on track with our nutrition.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am interested in your other bar recipes.

    my email is mrsburge@msn.com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ben -
    Headed your way soon! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would love to have the recipes for all of these too! My email is lmgnjv13@gmail.com. I just found your site and you have a lot of really good stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Laura!
    Glad you like my blog and I hope it is helpful to you in your journey towards better health! Please let me know if you need help! :) I will send you the recipes soon. Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I just stumbled upon your blog, would you please email me the recipes?? =) boxerpup21@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Just checked out your blog and would like to get the bar recipes. cheato29@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I just came upon your blog and have spent the past couple of hours reading! You have great information and recipes! :-). I would love the other bar recipes mentioned. Would you please email them to me?
    You use tomatoes in so many of your recipes .... and I have always cooked with them too until having so many autoimmune diseases. I cheat a little using them because they are such a staple. Do you have a substitute suggestion?
    Saundra
    srobinsonpiano@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Saundra,
    I replied to your question via your email and also sent the recipes!
    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete