Healthy Snack ~ Coconut Oat Date Bars

Coconut Oat Date Bars

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups sliced almond
• 1 1/2 cups gluten-free oats
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup coconut manna (is a delicious whole food made of pure, dried coconut flesh.)
• 1 1/2 cup dates,  pitted if possible otherwise like this recipe you will have to pit the dates.
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup of Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Mini chocolate chips (Gluten,Dairy & soy free)
• 1/2 cup of shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup of honey
  
  

                                                                     Healthy facts :

 http://www.livestrong.com 

                                               Remember Every thing in Moderation!!!!

Almonds provide a good source of antioxidants and a variety of essential vitamins and minerals

may help reduce your cholesterol.

Coconut and coconut oil may play a role in weight loss. Researchers from Brazil reported in the July 2009 issue of "Lipids" that subjects with abdominal obesity experienced decreases in both body mass index and waist circumference values when given coconut oil supplements for 12 weeks.

                                                               

 When following a gluten-free diet, base your breakfast meals & snacks around rolled oats, which has a low GI value.

Dates a are dried fruits that can pack quite a nutritional punch with  a significant amount of certain vitamins and minerals.Dates are  a healthy source of certain B vitamins. B vitamins help you turn your food into energy.A 1/4 cup serving of dates has about 0.9 g of protein. Protein is an essential nutrient that helps give your body energy. If you find you lack energy at certain parts of the day, adding a high-protein snack may help combat fatigue and sluggishness The same portion of dates contains 2.95 g of fiber. Fiber helps support your digestive system so it works more efficiently. A high-fiber diet has been shown to help reduce your risk certain chronic health conditions, including heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Honey is rich in antioxidants because the flowers from which the nectar is gathered have plant antioxidants- phenolic acids and flavonoids, which can reduce your risk for heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.
                                                                    Pati "Child"

                                                        Lets get back to the recipe !
Instructions

1. In a food processor (I have a small one so I did this in 2 batches at a time ) make crust by combining almonds, oats, salt and coconut oil.

                  

                                   Excuse the cooked Turkey bacon in the background
                                                      I was snacking while baking......

                                                         Pulse until mixture is crumbly.

                                                                   Batch 2 -Repeat

 

                                                   Again ....Pulse until mixture is crumbly.

                                                 Oats & almonds are all grounded up .....

                                                                In a mixing bowl

                                                             Add the melted coconut oil 

                                                            & salt to the crust mixture .

                                                     Mix until all is well combined.

2.Greased a  8×8 baking dish. 

I use non-stick coconut oil spray.

                                                         3.Remove crust mixture

                                              &  press into a greased 8×8 baking dish. 

 

Place in the fridge to set up .

                                                Reserve 1/2 cup of crust for topping.

                                                           4. Pit & chop the dates.

                                                4. Heat up the water in a small pot.

                                                 5. In a blender or food processor,

                                               blend dates with Coconut Manna

                                                                        Add Honey

                                                                      & warm water

                                                Blend together  until thick paste forms.

 

                 6. In a blender or food processor, I like to shred the coconut finer .

                                                     Add the coconut to date mixture .

                                                          Mix until all is well combined .

 

7. Add the Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Mini chocolate chips .

                                                    Mix until all is well combined.

       8.Press the date mixture on top of the chilled crust and evenly spread.

                                              9. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of topping.

10.  Cover with Aluminum foil & 

  Place in the refrigerator to set. About 2-3 hours.

Cut into squares and store in fridge or freezer.

                                          As you can see I cut me out a little square to try ....

                                                  Gluten & Dairy free Healthy snack !

                                                                         Yum!
                                        Tastes better than an Almond Joy candy bar !!!!!!