Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bars

These hazelnut energy bars are addicting!

If you have ever had Nutella, and been missing the taste, this recipe will be exciting for you!

For me, the secret is buying roasted hazelnuts. I have tried roasting them myself, but haven't gotten that quite right.

You can check off the healthy foods of nuts, flax, and a fruit with this tasty snack!
See Dr Greger's Daily Dozen.

Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bars / "Nutella" Squares
1/2c walnuts
3/4c hazelnuts, roasted*
1/2c flaxseed, ground
3/4c dates, pitted
1/4c cocoa, unsweetened
1 Tbsp water

Blend nuts, flax, and dates in a food processor ~ about 2 min. Then add cocoa and water to prevent cocoa from coming out the tiny openings of your food processor.

Form dough into whatever shape you like! It was fun pressing into a 9x9" pan and cutting into squares. Freezing briefly (20 min) before cutting helps, but is not necessary. Enjoy!

*remember, roasted hazelnuts are key!



Try other flavors! (I call these "Laraballs"...after Larabars :) )

Nut-Free, Gluten-Free No-Bake Crusty Apple Pie

To describe it, APPLE PIE -slash- PIE CRUST!

This isn't super-sweet, but remember there isn't any sugar!!

Something else the taste sort of reminds me of is granola -- tell me what you think when you try it!

It has 2 INGREDIENTS!

This is the first Laraball with sunflower seeds -- so it's a safe snack for those of you with TREE NUT Allergies (or more likely moms with KIDS who have this allergy!), NOW you can try a Laraball!

Laraballs are always GLUTEN-FREE too!

If you like how it tastes, or even if not, you can still try the other flavors with sunflower seeds substituted for the nuts in any recipe.  Tell me what you think!

No-Bake Crusty Apple Pie

1/2 c sunflower seeds, raw, unsalted
1/2 c dried apples, unsweetened (or you can try it with some raisins and cherries)

Add 1 tsp water if mixture seems dry.
Optional: vanilla, cinnamon (I really didn't prefer the versions that included either, though there were a few raisins and cherries in all of my batches.


I used the fruit from a package from Costco -- see ingredients list below:
Ingredients list: apples, raisins, cherries.  (AWESOME!!)

The brand is Peeled Snacks and they also sell cherries-only packs that come out to I think $16/lb (with Subscribe & Save through amazon.com), pretty expensive, makes me really want to consider trying a dehydrator, at least for expensive fruits or veggies, like cherries, not going for it yet though!

PS - the plastic container shown in first photo on the post is a baby food container, roughly the size of one part of an ice cube tray - my sister-in-law got them for me, 6 years ago!  So this is the best version I found on amazon: Laraball containers (as I use them for, and our family now calls them!).

SHARE IF YOU DARE!  What do you splurge on, food-wise?  I think dried cherries that are unsweetened -- Whole Foods USED to offer them, but they are hard to find, and I think I'd pay almost any price :)

Houston Recap

Healthy and DELICIOUS Eating Options on the Road

INSPIRATION from the pros, and

Tips to RUN a PR in your next Marathon!

My trip to Houston with my son and mom was SO perfect!

FUN FOODS -- TASTES from our TRIP (Update: my family and I no longer eat chicken or dairy, but I apparently still did on this trip, Jan, 2012)

Flying out of CLE?

CURRITOS! Start your trip off right by grabbing a yummy Currito burrito! Be sure to order the brown rice and whole wheat tortilla, and add guacamole! Ask the server to skip the cheese! Curritos is located just to the right, after you pass through CLE Security.

Looking for a treat - a real treat - with a little nutrition too!
(From George Bush Airport in Houston (IAH))

Try a caramel APPLE ROLLED in PECANS!

The caramel is purely sugar, but the apple and nuts provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals! Plus, you can bring out "the kid inside" as you get your fingers all sticky and lick your lips! (IF stickiness isn’t your thing, they’re happy to cut it for you :)

A Houston Marathon Expo Highlight

We met some Larabar employees at their booth (photo below) -- I was starstruck for my favorite food product, possibly ever! Perhaps I will become a “Larabar Ambassador” one day!

Read HERE about Larabars AND about making your own Laraballs at home HERE!

I am not a burger person, BUT, we had dinner at this really cool place, The Burger Palace, I happened to have a delicious chicken sandwich, but that is not what I want to tell you about. Burger Palace makes burgers from this special Japanese breed of cattle which is substantially more nutritious than traditional beef, so I had to tell you about the place! Kobe beef is even considered a delicacy in Japan! Click on this link to see the nutritional benefits!

I've gotta tell you my favorite part of the meal -- dessert -- stocking up on carbs/calories the night before the race! A Toasted Almond Shake! "a nutty almond experience!" It was so surprisingly and delightfully delicious! -- recommended by a regular, I was thrilled with my choice, and savored every sip! I've gotta try to recreate a recipe!!!



Ah, California Pizza Kitchen! I guess I can mention the thin crust is a healthy choice, though California Pizza Kitchen isn't super healthy :~ I do make a healthier version of their signature pie -- The Original BBQ Chicken -- here is the recipe!

For INSPIRATION from an amazing experience AND from amazing athletes click HERE! Some really cool people and stories! From NEW MOMS to MARATHON-NEWBIES, you'll surely be motivated!

I had an awesome race! To read about the Top 6 WAYS to Run YOUR BEST Marathon click on the link!!

For more TIPS about Eating While TRAVELING, click on the link!

Also, if you want to see what the WEATHER will be like on a future date, anywhere in the WORLD, based on averages, go to this link!

WANT TO SHARE?  Do you like to try new restaurants or stick with what you know you love, your favorites?

Apple Brownie Sandwich

First of all, thank you, Lisa, for your fabulous idea about Brownie Bites and Apple Sandwiches!

Yum! And believe it or not, I have a child who does not like apples, UNTIL now! I am teaching her to be open-minded about trying new things because a) of the health benefits -- this is actually convincing to her!, b) it is more fun to "like" things than not to!, and c) our taste preferences ACTUALLY change, and she has experienced this first hand :)

First make a batch of Brownie Bite Laraballs.

Then slices some apples, make some sandwiches, and enjoy!

Good luck seeing more than one sandwich all put together at once -- they'll be eaten pretty instantly! To me, they sort of taste like candy apples! Then I had another idea -- Choco-Candy Apple Parfaits! Check 'em out!

WHAT DO YOU THINK? What is your favorite fruit to combine with chocolate? Or are you like my hubby, and prefer (mostly) not to mess with your chocolate, and eat it plain?

Healthy Cranberry Cookies (Late-Night Dessert, or Breakfast!)

My kindergartner wanted to bake cookies the other day, SO I used the Cinnamon Cranberry Confections ingredients:

1/3 c walnuts

1/4 c almonds

1/3 c raisins

1/8 c dried cranberries

1/4 tsp cinnamon

PLUS 1/2 c rolled oats, cooked with water, in the microwave.

Blend all ingredients -- mixture may be more coarse than for "Laraballs".

Scoop around 12-16 dollops on to baking sheet -- I love my silicone baking sheets!

Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes.

My daughter added 2 chocolate chips to each cookie!

Yum!

THIS BATTER would also be an AWESOME breakfast!!! It is SO good! Don't be afraid to have a lick -- nothing in it needs to be cooked! Have as much as you want -- it's all nutritious!!

Get creative and I'm sure you could bake any of the Laraball recipes! It sure works for Cinnamon Crannbery Confections!

Cinnamon Cranberry Confections

A new Larabar Ball for you to try!

Imagine the yummy goodness of a date and nut roll (if you can! not many people have them anymore!) -- without the butter and sugar!

Cinnamon Cranberry Confections

1/3 c walnuts

1/4 c almonds

1/3 c raisins

1/8 c cranberries

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Follow directions in Brownie Bites or go the Skinny Mints link to read more about how nutritious these treats are, as well as a recommendation for a food processor that is great for these treats, as well as for making baby food out of whatever you parents enjoy! We once even blended up a sub sandwich for our oldest child when she was still too little for sandwiches!

Let me take a minute to highlight some key benefits of cinnamon and cranberries!

Cinnamon

This sweet herb's main claim to fame is its ability to help stabilize blood sugar. This is not only beneficial to people with diabetes, but to anyone who ever experiences that crash and born that comes with a sugar high!

Cranberries

These berries have been found to prevent and significantly improve the condition of urinary tract infections! Effectiveness has come to challenge even the mostly widely utilized antibiotic drugs. They may also prevent cancer!

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WHAT DO YOU THINK? TELL ME IN A COMMENT: Do your kids like to help you cook and bake? What do you make with them? Do they eat more when they help?

Larabars Rule!

Larabars are an amazing treat! I cannot say enough about these bars! They are jam-packed with nutrients and made completely from whole foods (fruit, nuts, and spices)! Most Larabars usually have an ingredients list you can usually count on one hand!

There are no preservatives, chemicals, artificial flavors, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, or anything other junky ingredients.

The cool part is that they are super-yummy and satisfying! It is hard to decide a favorite since they are all so delicious! I first found them at Costco, which is always impressing me with it's nutritious selection...though there are not available at Costco currently, unfortunately.

Ok, so Larabars are such a refreshing find! They are a convenient snack that you can keep with you where ever you go. They are high in vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and fiber! They're hip and trendy and mouth-watering!

Try one today and I promise you will not be disappointed! Ok, so if I have to pick, my favorite of the day is Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte! By the way, if you have a little time, and want to keep your money in your pocket book -- make them at home! Super easy and fun for kids! Here are a few recipes you can try! No-Bake Carrot Cake, Skinny Mints, PB&J Poppers.  Plus, a whole post called Learn about LARABALLS!

By the way, happily, today Larabars are widely available. Try some different flavors and try to pick a favorite! Then go to amazon.com's Subscribe and Save to buy a case, for less than anywhere I have ever seen! The www.amazon.com price is less than you can find locally, and then Subscribe & Save is an additional 15% discount. As soon as your order arrives, you may cancel your subscription with a quick click.

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WHAT DO YOU THINK? -- Tell me, in a comment below, have you ever tried to copy a food product you usually buy from the store or a meal from a restaurant?

No-Bake Carrot Cake!

Per request :) Plus, I gave one of these to a guy on an airplane and he said they were "FANTASTIC!" ...he also said he hadn't had breakfast; but hey, these could be your breakfast! They are nutritious and filling, and easy to bring with you where ever you go!

No-Bake Carrot Cake
1/3 c almonds
1/3 c walnuts
1/4 c raisins
1/4 c pitted dates
1/2 to 1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 to 1 tsp allspice
1/2 to 1 tsp unsweetened coconut
1 Tbsp pineapple juice (I use from canned pineapple in juice)
1/2 carrot (3-4 baby carrots)

Simply blend all ingredients in a food processor until they stick together like a gooey dough. You can leave a bit CHUNKY to better resemble carrot cake! Then you can put the whole dough ball into a resealable bag and make them into balls without getting gooey hands; one inch diameter works well. We keep refrigerated, though this probably isn't necessary. Freezing works really well too! Enjoy!

You can also try Skinny Mints (chocolate-mint Laraballs...like Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies) and PB&J Poppers!

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WHAT DO YOU THINK? Tell me in a comment below: Do you talk to strangers on airplanes? Has anyone ever offered YOU food? Would you eat it?

Save Money and Boost Your Nutrition

Follow a few simple steps to feel better on your next vacation! Also, you'll have some extra money and calories you can spend on yummy treats! It's all about packing a simple lunch and some snacks.

Pack your favorite nuts, and perhaps Larabars, from home.  They won't get squashed or need immediate refrigeration, they're less expensive at your local grocery store, and they'll also be great to have WHILE you travel to your destination -- for the car, airport, and airplane!

When you arrive, head to a grocery store to buy a case of bottled water, a big jar of natural peanut butter, and a couple loaves of whole wheat bread. You'll probably want some plastic sandwich bags too. Then, each morning, make some sandwiches to pack along with plenty of water each day you head out while vacationing, and bring your nuts.  Also grab some apples, oranges, and/or bananas from breakfast, for the day!

When we're hungry, out on vacation (or anywhere for that matter), our bodies get a natural sense of "I NEED FOOD!" and all sense about the cost, in dollars and cents, as well as nutritionally, goes out the door. Avoid this by following our little plan.

After you and your family have had a healthy sandwich, everyone will be less irritable and hungry, and have more energy! Then, knowing you've saved some money and earned some healthy nutrition points, you can splurge on a yummy treat, or even a meal that you'll really enjoy!

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WHAT DO YOU THINK? What foods and snacks do you bring/pack for trips?

Calling All GIRL SCOUT THIN MINT Fans!

You can feel good giving your kids, these gooey, minty, chocolatey treats before noon! In fact, you’ll be giving them lots of great fiber, B-vitamins, and several key minerals! Free of sugar, butter, shortening, vegetable oil, or any of the many chemicals found in packaged treats!

Skinny-Mints (Girl Scout Thin Mint Laraballs)

In a food processor, combine ½ c pistachios, ¾ c pitted dates, 1/8 c unsweetened cocoa, 1-2 tsp peppermint extract, and 1 tsp vanilla. Blend until mixture begins to clump, simply shape into balls and enjoy this delight! Yum!

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Read on for more information about these yummy treats! They are similar in texture and consistency, and perhaps even more moist than Larabars. Larabars have a super-SHORT ingredient list and can always be available on the go! There are nearly 20 amazing favors. They are however (only shortcoming) expensive.

Really, for what you get, such nutrient-dense (tons of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and some "good" fat) product, the price isn't too bad, but looking at an individual bar, it's around a dollar when you "subscribe and save" on amazon.com, around $1.29 at Trader Joe's (cheapest at a store you can walk into), and more than that at any other store that I have seen.

It's fun to use the www.larabar.com website to make your own! Click on any of the flavors to see all ingredients. They list ingredients with pictures, as in cashew cookie: a picture of a cashew and a date. If you have a variety of nuts, plenty of dates, cocoa, some spices, and some different types of dried fruit, you can quickly make a batch of any flavor you choose!

For a consistency that will clump together nicely, you want around 1/2 c nuts (one type or a combination) and 1/2 c or so of dried fruit (such as dates). All ingredients can be blended at once. I small food chopper (like for baby food or chopping onions) works well. I have a Cuisinart 4-cup chopper/grinder that works perfectly! It is also easy to clean -- added bonus! It's small, so I can keep it on my counter, thus using it more than if I had to pull it out every time I wanted to use it!

Blend, blend, blend! As I said above, when you blend it long enough, it will begin to clump together. Now you can put the whole mixture into a sandwich bag, and have fun shaping! Your hands will stay clean (I don't like "food hands")! You can make balls out of the mixture -- it's like playing with play-dough! Then keep them in that bag -- the oils that remain will keep your treats moist -- though they might not have much time to dry out (too yummy!)!

WHAT DO YOU THINK? TELL ME IN A COMMENT BELOW: What flavor does your tummy's imagination want? Maybe I can come up with something you'll enjoy! You can also leave a comment about how your experience went when you tried making these "Larabar Balls". Have a great day!

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Learn about Laraballs!

These are yummy homemade, no-bake cookies are similar to the awesome product called Larabars!

Super-NUTRITIOUS snacks: filled with fiber, protein, healthy fat, high-energy carbohydrate source, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals!

Most recipes contain NO sugar!

The only times there is sugar are in recipes with dried fruit that you cannot find unsweetened, such as is the case sometimes with cherries and cranberries. In Laraball recipes, these berries are combined with another unsweetened dried fruit to minimize the amount of sugar. Sweetening of these berries is COMPLETELY unnecessary in these recipes -- but it's difficult to find some dried fruits unsweetened -- BOO WHO!  Please TELL ME if and where you find some!

No butter or oil.

Just NUTS, FRUIT, and SPICES!

Always Gluten-FREE!

Most recipes make 12-16 one-inch Laraballs, or you can shape them however you like!

Nutrition information: each Laraball has on average 40-50 calories, 1-2g protein, 2g HEALTHY fat, and 4-5g carbs, including 1-2g fiber.

If you prefer CRUNCHY to chewy, try baking your favorite flavor. Just add 1/2 c rolled oats to the recipe. Bake at 375 degrees, 15-20 min. The longer you bake them, the crunchier they'll get!

Here are some tasty favors:

Skinny Mints
Cherry Lemon Bars
Crunchy Pumpkin Spice Cookie Dough

PB and J Poppers

No-Bake Carrot Cake

Brownie Bites

Cinnamon Cranberry Confections

Orange Almond Biscottis

Chocolate Cherry Torte
Choco-Peanut Crunch
Crusty Apple Pie (Nut-Free)
Lemon Bars
Cashew Cookie
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough

WHAT DO YOU THINK? What is your favorite Laraball or Larabar flavor? Please share any new flavors you have created.