For today’s workout, I was going to go on the elliptical, but apparently our workout room is locked before 6:30 or 7 am… Instead, I just did a plank workout in our apartment and am about to do my Toned Arms & Shoulders workout. If I feel motivated after work, that’s when I’ll have the chance to run because I’m not about to run outside in the dark at 5 a.m. since people don’t know how to drive, and I don’t want to die.
So I just opted for some upper body and core work, since my legs are really sore from the Lean Legs circuit on Sunday. Gotta say having the day’s workout done by 7 a.m. is amazing!
And now for a recipe I’ve been meaning to share for awhile…
Nut & Seed Granola Bars
I made these granola bars a few days ago to have a protein-packed snack to take with me, and I’m already running out because they’re delicious and nutritious!…and easy to grab when I’m lazy or on-the-go.
This recipe is really close to my Dark Chocolate Granola Bars, but I had to post it anyway. This is more of a base recipe that I use all the time. Add or substitute other ingredients if you wish. I recommend dried fruit and chocolate chips (they melt though!) in the recipe.
It’s just a giant combination of nuts and seeds held together with a sticky peanut butter and honey concoction. I love this recipe straight-up without any additions, but it’s also quite versatile since you can put extra randomness in there if you want.
Ingredients:
- 1 c oats
- 1 c shredded coconut
- 1/3 c almonds, chopped
- 1/4 c sesame seeds
- 1/2 c sunflower seeds, hulled
- 1/2 c raw pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 c ground flax seed
- 1/2 c honey
- 1/4 c peanut butter
- Optional: 1 c dark chocolate chips, Craisins, or whatever
Instructions:
- Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- Toast oats, coconut, almonds, sesame seeds, and pumpkin seeds in a skillet over medium heat until golden.
- Transfer to a large bowl and stir in optional ingredients and flax seed.
- Cook the honey and peanut butter in a saucepan over medium heat until peanut butter has melted.
- Add mixture to dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Pour contents into the baking dish and firmly pack down with a spoon. Place in the fridge until cool. Cut into segments and enjoy!
Adieu!
I put chocolate chips in mine as suggested, but when I put the hot honey/pb mixture in, it melted them! Which I realized it would at the last second, but now they are just chocolate granola bars! 😀 which are in the fridge cooling and I can’t wait to try! Didn’t have almonds, substituted pecans and put craisins & dried blueberries in.
Yes! Dried blueberries sound like a tasty addition. I have a Dark Chocolate Granola Bar recipe where I tried adding chocolate chips, and they melted right away, so I just went with it. Turned out to be super addicting, so I hope yours turned out just as well!
what is the carb count?
These look fabulous!! I will be making them this week 🙂 Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hope you like them! 🙂
These are awesome! I’ll be making these often. Thank you so much for sharing!
I had the feeling when I read the recipe they would fall apart and there is no real binder. Was won over by the nice website young girl buzz. They fell apart, albeit slowly. The small piece taste quite nice. Hopefully the banana bread will be better, it’s in the oven now.
I’m sorry they fell apart! I never have that problem with this recipe, as long as I heat the honey and peanut butter on the stove (it makes it extra sticky). If you store these in the fridge, that should help them maintain their shape better. 🙂