The Goodness Mini Mini Issue | Page 14

TEN E FRE VEG AN GLU RAW E Y FRE DAIR O LE PA OD SUPER FO 30 meets PALEO Why does something so simple to make have to be filled with so many chemicals and processed ingredients when packaged and sold in stores? I know there are a lot of brands now making granola and energy bars without all the harmful, processed ingredients and they are readily available in almost all health food stores. But why pay top dollar if you can make your own at home in less than 10 minutes and save money and be 100% sure of what you are consuming? I suggest you go to the bulk section of the supermarket and get a handful of ingredients to make these delicious, healthy treats. All you’ll need is a blender or a food processor to mix the ingredients. These crunchy, chocolaty, energy bars are the perfect snack to take on the road with you and I know your family with love them. Tips: If needed, you can soften your dates and apricots by soaking them in water for an hour before processing them in your blender or food processor. Discard the water before processing. PALEO DARK CHOCOLATE CRUNCH BARS By Adriana Harlan from Living Healthy With Chocolate | Makes 20 bars. ½ cup raw cashews ½ cup dates, pitted (about 5 large ¹⁄³ cup raw sunflower seeds Medjool dates) ½ cup raw almonds ½ cup dried apricots (G Team 1½ tablespoons raw cacao nibs 3 tablespoons raw cacao powder suggests unsulphured apricots) 1 oz 70% dark chocolate, melted 1    In a food processor or blender pulse the cashews and sunflower seeds until roughly chopped. 2    In a large bowl, combine the chopped cashews and sunflower seeds along with a ¼ cup of almonds (reserve remaining ¼ cup), cacao nibs and cacao powder. 3    In a food processor or blender, pulse the dates and apricots until a creamy paste forms. 4    Add the dates/apricot paste to the bowl containing the nuts in step 2 above. 5    Using your hands, mix all ingredients together until combined. Your mixture should be crumbly, but not too much to where the ingredients won't hold together. If that happens, pulse a few more dates in your food processor until creamy and add to the mixture to achieve the right consistency. 6    Line a 4x8-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and press the mixture onto the bottom of the pan. Depending how thick you want your bars, you may only spread the mixture across one half (½) of the pan. 7    Press the remaining ¼ cup of almonds firmly onto the top of the mixture 8    Chill in freezer for about 30 minutes 9    Cut into 1-inch squares and drizzle top with melted chocolate MAG 13