In order to fuel yourself for a pleasant day of your favorite outdoor activities, look no further than the “Awesome Bar”.Packed with nutrition to feed your inner-athlete AND your taste buds.
1 1/2 cups thick rolled oats
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
3/4 cup dried fruit
1/2 cup raw, local honey
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup nut butter
1/2 cup 80-100% dark baking chocolate, minced
1.In a large bowl, combine oats, pumpkin seeds and dried fruit.Set aside.
2.In a small saucepan, combine honey, vanilla extract, salt and nut butter.(I prefer almond or cashew but peanut butter works too).Slowly bring to a very gentle boil – stirring constantly.Once mixture has melted and warmed through, pull from heat (add protein powder if desired).
3.Drizzle mixture over oats while stirring until mixture is well distributed.Once cool-to-touch, add chocolate chips and press into a 9X9 square baking pan (ceramic or glass).
4.Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, cut into squares and wrap individually in parchment paper to stuff in your pack and go!
Time-Saver Tool Tips -Line baking dish with parchment paper for an easy clean-up
Ingredient Insight -Feel free to add a scoop or two of high-quality whey protein to the nut butter/honey mixture once you've removed it from the heat for more protein. -Use dark chocolate chips (like Exchange's 70% dark bittersweet chocolate chips) to reduce chocolate chopping time but be aware of unwanted ingredients like hydrogenated oils, GMO-corn syrup or soy lecithin and "natural" or artificial flavors.