Homemade Granola Bars
I like granola bars. I like making things in the kitchen. So, why not combine the two and make my own granola bars?
These bars were a little chewier and definitely more moist than a crunchy, dry granola bar. I think I liked it better my way though. They tasted more like cake and less like hard granola crunch. Plus, they’re vegan!
Need:
1 c oats
3 over-ripe bananas
1/2 c applesauce
1/4 c dried cherries
1/4 c chopped dates
1 T chia seeds
1 T flax seeds
Do:
Mash bananas. Combine everything in a bowl. Mix well, ensuring all the oats are moistened and everything in incorporated. (I apologize to anyone who detests the word “moist.” That’s the third time I’ve used it in this short post. I have no other way to describe it. How about thoroughly wetted?) Spread the mixture out into a 9×11 pan. Bake at 375 degrees F until firmed up, about 10 minutes. Let cool before slicing into rectangles.
DELISH.
I feel like sometimes the recipes I write are super confusing, so if you ever have a problem translating one of my recipes from Emily-speak into normal person speak, please let me know.
I’m pretty excited to get up and swim tomorrow. It’s so lovely to watch the sun rise from the indoor pool in the morning. I get my exercise and Vitamin D all at once, and I don’t freeze my ass off trying to run in 40 degree weather (Maybe one day I’ll enjoy running in the cold..). I ran on the dreadmill this morning for about 30 minutes because it was all I could bear. I don’t know which is worse, the dreadmill or being frozen to death running outside. Running outside is less boring, but more uncomfortable. The dreadmill is neither comfortable nor entertaining. Although I did get to watch the news this morning.
Apparently the FDA is on the way to banning drinks that contain both alcohol and caffeine. I have mixed feelings on this issue. For starters, the FDA’s regulations are wacky and seemingly random. I’m not sure if the regulations are on your daily reading list, but please take a look today because the amount of insect and rodent hair that is allowed in our food makes my skin crawl. More reason to eat local, fresh, unregulated food. But I digress.
What happened to consumer accountability? We are so stupid that we need federal regulation to BAN things that are bad for us? Instead of saying hey, this is a bad idea but we live in a free country so make up your mind? Last time I checked, there were similar warnings on cigarettes, but they aren’t banned. Although they did just ban clove cigarettes. And our country’s weight IS out of control. So maybe we do need someone to sit us down and ban things that are bad for our health. What happened to moderation? Is the combination of alcohol and caffeine toxic at any level? Or can you enjoy a bit of it without becoming a “public health concern”?
Does this also mean they will be yanking Red Bull out of bars? I’m pretty sure that Red Bull and Vodka is a common drink. Jägerbombs are made with caffeine and alcohol. Are they going to ban everyone from ever mixing caffeine and alcohol? Have police go around taste testing drinks? I’ve definitely had some Kahlua and coffee before, and I didn’t die or end up in the emergency room. I suppose I consider myself an ‘informed consumer’ and the point of me drinking the spiked coffee was not to get drunk. This policy just raises a whole lot more questions from me than it answers. What are your thoughts on the caffeine + alcohol issue?
