My children eat a lot. It’s a good problem to have, I realize. He would often times eat his whole peanut butter and jam sandwich, all his carrot sticks and juice, while his friends would only eat half their sandwich and maybe a carrot stick or two. What would my son do? Eat the rest of their sandwich. He’s just a good eater. He usually eats his veggies without a problem, his favorite is broccoli if you can believe it. He also loves animal crackers and granola bars but I have noticed there’s a lot of added sugar in them and I kind of hate giving him extra sugar! So I decided to make some granola bars at home. Ones that were full of healthy, filling nuts, seeds and dried fruit.

My son loves them, and I feel a lot better about giving these to him than the alternative. Ya they’re not as convenient, but it really doesn’t take much time to make these. I’ve found that eating healthy takes a little bit of planning but once you get the hang of it it’s just second nature. If you’re concerned about the extra time just make them with your children! Take the opportunity to teach them about the different nuts and seeds. Let them measure, pour and stir all the dry ingredients. They will love it, I promise!

Super Seedy Granola Bars

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup raw almonds, walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped
• 1 heaping packed cup of dates, pitted {found by raisins}
• 2 Tbsp chia seeds
• 2 Tbsp raw sunflower seeds
• 2 Tbsp ground flax seeds
• 1/4 cup agave nectar or maple syrup
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup craisins
• 1/4 cup dried blueberries
  • optional: chocolate chips, other nuts and dried fruit…anything really!

Instructions

1. Toast your oats and nuts in 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes
2. Process dates in a food processor, or VitaMix, until small bits remain and it is a dough like consistency
3. Place oats, nuts, and seeds in a large mixing bowl and set aside
4. Warm agave, peanut butter and dates in a small saucepan over low heat until well combined. Pour over oat mixture and combine together
5. Place in an 8×8 dish lined with parchment paper
6. Cover with parchemtn paper and press down with another 8×8 dish or small book to get them packed really tight. This will help keep their shape, instead of them falling apart. Chillin the fridge for about 30 minutes to ahrden
7. Remove from dish and cut into even bars. I used a pizza cutter
8. Store in an airtight container for a few days. I prefer to keep them in the fridge

Recipe adapted from Minimalist Baker