So its January, time for fad diets, memberships to gyms that will be forgotten about by March and just heaps of new years resolutions that are impossible to keep. Now you all know that I have the sweetest tooth in the world, I just love cake, but if you are a regular to my blog, you will also know that I have over the last year or so, where possible, been adding to the blog clean eating recipes and recipes, that though are extremely yummy, extremely naughty, are still a little bit good for you and have sugar alternatives instead of the dreaded over processed devil white sugar that I hate with a passion.
Over the years the government go from one food scare to another, the current one being ‘SUGAR’! Evidently its the new cocaine ! I feel they are a little late to the party, I have been saying for years that white sugar is bad for you, that its just everywhere, hidden in products like ketchup, bread, etc, so that you have know idea just how much you are consuming a day and now even Davina McCall has jumped onto the bandwagon.
I believe in everything in moderation, that a healthy diet is a balanced one, not one that deprives you of your favourite things, just so that you crave them even more and if you get the balance right you will receive the nutrients that your body needs.
This is where I feel alternatives to your usual naughty snacks come in handy and these snack bars are just perfect, keep one in your purse for 2 PM…and maybe another for 4:45…8:30…midnight…breakfast the next day…second breakfast…and so on. Great for breakfast on the go or a snack for the kids when they get home from school. I never feel like breakfast, or have the time, but I love to grab one of these with a banana and I am set for the day ahead. They are also great in the evening, this is the worst time of the day for me as I always crave something sweet!
I hope you enjoy my healthy alternatives and I wish you luck with any new years resolutions that you have set yourself, wether diet, health or otherwise.
Buon appetito
1 1/2 cups oats
3/4 cup whole almonds
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
1/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds
1/3 cup ground flax seed
1/3 cup honey
1 cup almond butter
1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce (recipe below)
Line a baking tin or dish (mine was 10 x 14 inches with wax paper so that it extends over the edge.
Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Add honey, almond butter, and apple sauce, and combine until a big gloppy clump is formed. Dump sticky mess into the baking dish, and flatten and spread with the back of a wooden spoon.
Freeze overnight.
Remove from freezer and cut into bars!
Store in the fridge in a tupperware container, with layers separated by wax paper.
Note : Please feel free to mix up the ingredients a little, if you don’t like cherries, use dates or apricots, if you don’t like walnuts use pecans, I think you can see where I am going here.
Recipe for unsweetened apple sauce :-
4 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
3/4 – 1 cup water
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp ground cinnamon, optional
1/2 tsp vanilla essence, optional
Place 3/4 cup water in a pot and bring to a boil before adding in all the other ingredients, and cover with a lid. This should be allowed to simmer for about 5-10 minutes, or until the apples are tender.
Depending on what you are using this for you can either mash it all together with a fork and let cool before serving it.
If using this in a recipe or as a sauce, blend it using a hand blender (or standard blender) after it is cooked.
Add the remaining 1/4 cup water if necessary to get the smooth creamy consistency.
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