DIY Chocolate-Nutty Raw Bars

These bars are simply delicious, raw, healthy and protein-packed.   I like to make a batch on Sunday, and then I get 8 on-the-go breakfast/snack bars for the week with NO preservatives or junk.  They're all-natural, nutty delicious goodness, just the way I like.   They're kinda like Larabars, without the high price tag, and with even more goodness inside.

Behold.....

Ingredients:

1 c dates 1 c almonds 2 T flax seeds 3 T coconut flakes 1/4 c pepitas 2 T cacao powder 6 T tahini 1 T raw honey 1/4 c rolled oats 1/4 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp sea salt 1 T sesame seeds

1/2 T bee pollen (optional...but I love the crunchy b-vitamin rich addition!)

1 T cacao nibs (optional)

Soak the flax seeds in an equal amount of water for about 5 minutes while gathering the rest of the ingredients together. In a food processor, combine first the nuts and the dates and pulse until a rough chop. Then add everything else in. Pulse and then blend until a nice consistency. I like to let it go for a couple minutes. Grab a pinch of the mixture and see if it's nice and sticky. If it's not, just blend a bit more.

I like to press into a 8x8 pyrex baking dish. Press with clean hands until level and evenly distributed. Cover and let chill for 1 hour or so. Then, cut into 8 or 9 bars. Wrap individually and keep in the fridge. They would technically last for quite a long time, I'd imagine since all ingredients are fairly dry. In my home though, they don't last longer than a week. :)

Per bar:

288 cal 17 g fat 39.6 g sodium 30 g carbs 7 g fiber 17 g sugar 8 g protein

Asian-Inspired Massaged Kale + Carrot Super-Food Salad

Ever heard anyone asking to take home leftover...healthy salad??  This one was so delicious, attendees of Dr. Matt's grand opening were spooning it into plastic drinking cups to take home the leftovers.  The sesame & citrus flavors are bright & exciting, and the fact that the kale is massaged takes a lot of the "rawness" out of eating raw kale.  I especially love Eden Foods  Organic Sesame Gomasio sprinkles as part of the dressing to tie everything together and add even more nutrition (seaweed & sesame).  This salad is loaded with healthy fats (olive oil, sesame & avocado), rich in iron, magnesium, calcium, vitamin c, k, antioxidants, carotenoids and fiber. The texture is great as is, but some sunflower seeds or peanuts would add a great extra crunch!  


...and it's vegan/dairy/gluten free ;) !

Asian-Inspired Massaged Kale & Carrot Super-Food Salad

Salad:
1 large head of curly red or green kale, washed, thick stems removed and torn or chopped into bite sized pieces
2 large carrots, shredded (approx. 3/4 - 1 c)
1 avocado, diced
Salt
Olive oil

Dressing:
2 cloves garlic, chopped coarsely
1 tbsp local honey
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar OR rice wine vinegar
1/4 c olive oil
1/2 lemon (juiced)
1 tsp sea salt
Red pepper flakes to taste
1.5-2 tbsp Eden Organic Sesame Gomasio (see link)

Directions: 
Combine all dressing ingredients and blend with an immersion blender or in a food processor. 

Prep kale and place into large mixing bowl. Pour a bit of olive oil and sea salt onto it. Give it a good massage with your fingers for 1-3 minutes (depends on how thick/coarse the kale was to begin with), until it softens and loses about 1/3 of the volume. Add carrots. Toss with dressing. Fold in avocado right before serving! 

This salad is best served 1-4 hours after prepping to allow all the flavors to meld.