Side lined for a little while...

So I decided to make my own Nut Bars

I went to the dentist today and had a tooth extracted. I have to say it was one of the most interesting experiences I've ever had. But I have the best dentist and assistant in the whole wide world. As a matter of fact, I called them Team Angels as they made the experience enjoyable. 

When she was done she told me no exercising till further notice. I looked at her wide eyed and said with only one part of my mouth working   "WHAT!? For how long? She replied. At least till I see you again on Thursday. 

Man was I bummed. So I went back to work and thought...what can I do instead of exercising? DING DING DING! Cook of course. So off I went into the kitchen and worked on my version of the KIND Energy Bar. 

Now it’s no secret that I like to eat nuts. As a matter of fact, I blame some of my weight gain on my inability to control myself with my Paleo nut recipe's. It's also no secrete that I hate to spend money on buying expensive Nut Bars. In my house, everyone LOVES to eat them as an on-the-go snack. Especially KIND Bars. But at $1.79 a pop, no way am I buying a dozen for the house. So I grabbed one of the bars I had stored in the cupboard and began to create. 

Walla! My nut bar recipe. And they are incredibly easy to make with very few ingredients.

Enjoy–and let me know if you try them!

Basic Ratio for Nut Bars:
1 cup whole almond nut
1/2 cup each chopped nuts: walnuts and pecans

1/2 cup Ezekiel Sprouted Whole Grain Cereal
2/3 cup coconut flakes (unsweetened)
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1/8 tsp fine sea salt
1/2 cup honey

1. Preheat oven to 325F. Line an 8-inch square pan with foil and lightly spray with (do not skip these steps!).
2. In a medium bowl, combine the nuts, cereal, coconut, and chocolate chips. 
3.  Add the salt and honey and stir to coat.
4. Scrape/dump mixture into prepared pan. Now, to press it out evenly: Tear off a good size piece of foil (around the size of the pan or slightly smaller). Lightly spray it with nonstick spray. Use the sprayed side of foil to press and spread evenly into pan. Works like a charm!
5. Bake for 18 minutes (the bars will not be hard at this point). Place pan on cooling rack and let cool for 15 to 20 minutes (give or take) until partially set up (it will depend on how hot or cold the kitchen—just don’t cool completely). Use the sides of foil to lift the bars from the pan. Do not try to remove from foil—they will stick like crazy. Cut into 8 bars.
6.  Place in refrigerator until completely cooled. Once cooled, the bars will lift right off of the foil. Wrap in parchment or wax paper and store in an airtight container at room temperature.