Cinnabun "Lara" Bars
There’s nothing like a guilt-free, nutrient dense treat. And best of all, these are simple to make and pretty much impossible to ruin. In the photo above, the bar is in the center of the plate. Surrounding the bar are the ingredients:
crispy nuts (I use almonds)
raisins (any dried fruit will do)
cinnamon
coconut oil
coconut
salt
Process:
1) Place about 2 cups of crispy almonds into the food processor. Add 1.5 – 2 cups of raisins and process until you have a paste. It should be sticky.
2) Add about 2 TBS (or more) of coconut oil and process until smooth.
3) Add salt (to taste) and about 2 tsp of cinnamon (add more if you need to). Ginger and cloves add a nice flavor too.
4) Add about 1-1.5 cups of shredded coconut until you have more of a thick, dry paste. You are looking for a rounded, “doughnut-shape” in your food processor.
5) Remove dough, press into parchment-lined jelly roll pan. Place in freezer for 20 minutes.
Enjoy!!!
Coconut oil note: Mountain Rose Herbs in Eugene, Oregon, has the best bulk price I’ve found on coconut oil that’s unrefined and organic. We are very pleased!
Junkfood Makeovers: Smoothie Edition
Thus begins a new “column” that you’ll see from time to time: Junkfood Makovers.
Have you seen those “Danimals” or “Yoplait Endulge” or whatever they’re called drinks at the store? Ever been tempted to down one of these “healthy” drinks? Perhaps you have (even I used to) but then one look at the dreaded “Nutritional Info” and it’s clear that High Fructose Corn Syrup and “emulsifiers” and “red #4″ isn’t so healthy.
Here’s a delicious way to treat your kids to a quick, healthy breakfast using plenty of that homemade yogurt (see post below!):
Thienes Family Power Smoothie
Basic smoothie:
1 cup homemade yogurt (or kefir) OR coconut milk (for a vegan treat!)
1 Tbs coconut oil
1 banana
6 drops liquid stevia (or sweetener of choice)
1 cup of frozen fruit (berries, mangoes, pineapple, cranberries; whatever we’ve got!)
2-3 egg yolks (don’t freak out people! I use pastured egg yolks from a farmer I know!)
Bonus features: (add any of the following…for the brave and strong!)
+1 Tbs nutritional yeast (this is a strong flavor– best hidden with lots of raspberries)
+1 scoop of Rice Protein Powder (I don’t love this, but my husband does)
+1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
+1 tsp spirulina
+fresh or frozen spinach (I promise you won’t taste it!)
Whirl in blender. Serve to happy, hungry, family members with a handful of nuts or a piece of toast, and you have a complete breakfast! Toddlers especially enjoy eating this with a spoon in a bowl for “breakfast ice cream”. Shhhh! Don’t tell. Freeze leftovers for popsicles, or pour directly into your ice cream maker!
With Jamba and Booster Juice at about $4.50 a pop, this is a very thrifty way to make a delicious whole-food meal. And unlike other smoothies that are laden with sugar, this one being full of good fats with sustain your blood sugar throughout the morning.
