Do they really make you glow? Well, you know what they say, there’s no truth in advertising. But I found that in getting rid of processed food and switching to a nutrient-dense, high-plant based diet, my skin glows from the inside out, and these protein, fiber-rich bars, satisfy more than just an occasional sugar craving. Unlike store-bought protein bars that taste like sawdust and are made with palm oil and high fructose corn syrup, these are naturally nutritious and delicious. A convenient snack to keep on hand for a mid-day pick-me-up, or after a work-out.

Recipe notes: What you will need: 2-sheet pans, mixing bowl, and food processor. Active prep time: 20-minutes. Baking time 15-20 minutes. Yields 20 bars. Difficulty level: Easy. Nutrient values-based per.

Ingredients:

• 2-cups whole rolled oats toasted (avoid using quick oats)
• 3/4-cup almonds, chopped
• 3/4-cup cashews
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• 1-cup firmly packed Medjool dates
• 1/2-cup water
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• 1/4-cup candied ginger (optional)
• 1/2-cup dried cranberries
• 1/2-cup dried apricots, sliced
• 1/2-cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4-whole chia seeds
• 1/4-cup flax seed
• 1/4-cup Stevia
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• 1/4-cup almond butter
• 1/4-cup honey or agave syrup
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• 8-oz cacao chocolate, melted

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350. Toast oats and nuts separately as oats will take longer.

1. Toast oats for approx. 15-20 minutes or until light brown.
2. Toast nuts for approx. 10-minutes.
3. In the Cuisinart food processor, pulse dates to a paste, adding a few tablespoons of water to assist the process.
4. Combine paste and the next 9-ingredients in the mixing bowl. Transfer toasted oats and nuts to mixing bowl, and combine.
5. Heat almond butter and honey either in a saucepan stovetop or in the microwave.
6. Pour melted almond butter and honey into the mixing bowl and combine all ingredients.
7. Lightly spray one of the sheet pans with oil. Spoon mixture and spread evenly.
8. Lay sheet of wax paper over mixture and press firmly to even out.
9. Refrigerate for 30-minutes to solidify.
10. If topping with chocolate, melt chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals. It may take 1 1/2 minutes, depending on your microwave.
11. If using the stovetop. Bring 2-cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Place chopped chocolate in a Pyrex cup. Remove pan from heat and set the cup in the water bath to melt chocolate
12. Remove the baking sheet from the refrigerator and transfer it to the work area.
13. Spread melted chocolate over the top of the mixture.
14. Return pan to refrigerator and let set.
15. Using a serrated knife, slice into bars, wrap bars in plastic wrap
16. and store in the refrigerator or freezer.