My first memory of eating a granola bar was when I was a young tot at the ripe age of 7.
During one of my mom’s weekly excursions to Bargain Harold’s (my Canadian friends should remember this store) she came back with a box of Quaker “Chewy” apple cinnamon granola bars and tossed one in my Jem and the Holograms lunch box. Not only was it chewy, it was sweet cinnamony and delicious.
Ever since then, granola bars have been on my grocery list. As a got older I graduated towards Nutragrain Bars with their jammy, doesn’t quite taste like strawberries center. Then let’s not forget Nature Valley Oats and Honey bars! Awwww snap when those came out I was hooked! I stayed on those bars for a minute.
Now my bar routine consists mostly of Kashi and Fiber One, both respectable but sometimes I want something just a little bit different and a little more wholesome so I make these.
They were easy to whip together and required no baking like most granola bars. I just stuck them in the fridge overnight and cut them up in the morning.
Make sure not to skimp on almond butter or maple syrup. These are the 2 binding ingredients need to hold everything together so that your bar doesn’t end up crumbly. Hey, if it does, don’t kick yourself, just make it granola and throw it on some yogourt…bam
Goji berries are considered to be both a herb and a fruit. They come from a shrub that’s native to China and boast a wide array of health benefits. They have been known to treat health problems such as high blood pressure, fever, eye ailments and diabetes. They are slightly sweet with a bit of a herb aftertaste.
Goji berries are the perfect weight loss food and help to reduce stress as well as boost your metabolism.
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You can typically find them dried in bulk or health food stores. In addition to adding to trail mix and granola bars, you can bake with them or add them to smoothies, yogourts or salads.
Goji berries are enjoying a moment right now.
Here are 4 benefits of eating goji berries:
They are loaded with beta-carotene (a pigment found in plants and fruits) which helps promote healthy glowing skin (FYI Madonna has been eating them for years. Enough said)
They are an excellent source of Vitamin C and an overall great immune booster.
They are jammed with fibre. Great for keeping you regular and managing your weight
High in protein. One serving or about 4 ounces of goji berries provide nearly 10 percent of the suggested amount of dietary protein.
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Source:
Huffington post
Healthline.com
Goji Berry Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick cooking oats
- ½ cup chopped cashew pieces
- ½ cup chopped almond pieces
- 1 cup raw pepitas pumpkin seeds
- 2 tablespoons protein powder
- ¼ cup ground flax seed
- ⅔ cup peanut or almond butter
- ⅔ cup maple syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup goji berries
- 1 tablespoon semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix together oats, chopped cashew and almond pieces, pepitas, protein powder, and flax seeds. Set aside
- Whisk together nut butter, maple syrup and sea salt. Add to oat mixture and mix well, until everything is thoroughly combined. If you find that it's a too dry add a bit more maple syrup. Mix in the goji berries and chocolate chips.
- Press mixture into a shallow 8" baking dish or pan lined with parchment paper or plastic wrap. Cover with more parchment paper or plastic wrap, press well into the dish, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Cut into bars. Keep refrigerated. Makes 10 - 12 bars.