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

PB&J Mini-Muffins {made with Cherry-Rhubarb Jam}

Ever wake up earlier than necessary...and feel like baking?  Yeah, it doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, I pour myself a nice tall cup of coffee and embrace the baking instincts.  I'm sure it's nice for the other person(s) still sleeping to wake up to the smell of not only strong fresh coffee...but muffins too.   I had just made an amazing batch of homemade cherry-rhubarb jam the other night, and was itching to find a way to incorporate it into a meal (I don't normally keep toast around).   So what would be more perfect than peanut butter & jelly...muffins??!

It's not quite "PB&J", as I didn't use peanut butter.  These sweet little minis were made with sunflower nut butter.  I was pretty impressed that they came out absolutely perfect in terms of texture and didn't stick to the pan at all!  These have no added oil or butter (other than the nut butter).   Fairly good for you, gluten-free and... YUM!   I took half on my friend's boat with me today...and the other half were devoured by my other half. ;)

Ingredients:

1 c flour (I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose)
1/4 c almond meal/flour3/4 c brown sugar1.5 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c nut butter (I used Sun Nut butter)
1/2 c milk or water (I just used water)2 eggs3 T jam or jelly (I used home made cherry-rhubarb)

Coconut oil (for greasing).

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a mini-muffin pan with coconut oil.  Mix dry ingredients: flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt.  Mix wet ingredients: milk/water, eggs, peanut butter. Stir until creamy and well combined. Combine the wet and dry ingredients. Don't over work. Batter will be thick.

Reserve 1/2 c of the batter, and swirl with the jam. 

Fill each muffin cup approx half full of the first batter (non-jam).  Layer the jam-batter on top.  

Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until a small knife or toothpick comes out clean.

DIY Essential Oil Cleaners

• Essential Oils can be used for countless DIY projects around the house, from cleaning fruits and veggies to degreasing pots and pans, to keeping pests at bay.   I've found a few images around the web that are helpful in detailing out some recipes.   

My favorites: 

Floor Cleaning:  Cleaning bucket filled 2/3 with hot water, 1/4 c white vinegar and a few drops each of lemon and lavender oil.   It leaves a nice clean smell behind!

Laundry:   Add 10 drops of oregano and/or tea tree oil to your load for their refreshing smell and anti-bacterial properties

Fruits and veggies:  I normally use just plain warm water, a couple caps of vinegar and a few drops of lemon EO.  

P.S.  I am not affiliated with Young Living Essential Oils, but do think they are top-notch in terms of purity.   If anyone wants to purchase, let me know and I'll hook you up with Crystal at Soul Space!

Cheers & happy cleaning!

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• And...Pest Control in the Garden!
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I Want to Know YOUR Story: Angela

Hi All,

Feeling blessed and loved and happy to present MY story (as captured by the beautiful Ksenija Savic).

Here is my story of how Green Dreams came to be, and a little background on my journey.   Hope you Enjoy!
http://www.ksenijasavicblog.com/index.cfm?postID=743