[Chocolate] Fruit and Nut Granola Bars

As my half marathon gets closer and closer, the more health-conscious I become. Probably my main goals in order to pull through are 1) not pass out, 2) eat so my muscles aren't worn out and 3) eat more protein. Protein is one of the hardest things to get when you are Celiac-crazy and vegan!


Every morning after I run, I make sure I have a very protein-dense shake. Even when I don't run, I make sure to get a good portion of protein in the morning. It is optimal to get it at breakfast. On the mornings that I don't drink a Hemp Chocolate Protein Power Shake, I make these awesome fruit and nut granola bars- it is SO easy to make; just needs a little love and time; but it's totally worth it- even my mom was enthused to make these awesome granola bars! I use a dehydrator to make these, and I'm not 100% sure how these would be in the oven. If you do put them in the oven, I would suggest putting it on the lowest heat possible. If it works- let me know!

Chocolate, Fruit and Nut Granola Bars

vegan ~ gluten free ~ can be raw

2 cups raw almonds

1 cup raw walnuts

3/4 cup flax seeds

1 cup fresh strawberries

1 cup fresh blueberries

1 cup dates, chopped and pitted

(optional) 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

1. First, place your flaxseeds in a coffee grinder and grind into a fine powder. Set aside

2. Place your strawberries and blueberries (or any other berries you prefer) into a blender and puree. Add your flax seed into the mix and blend until it is finely incorporated.

3. Next, add in your chopped dates into a food processor and pulse for 5 seconds. Then, add in your walnuts and almonds and process it into a find, crumbly texture.

4. combine your nut and fruit mixture into a mixing bowl and stir until finely incorporated. 

5. Spread your mixture onto a teflon dehydrating sheet. Put in the dehydrator at 100 F for 12 hours.

6. After 12 hours, take out your almost-ready granola bars and cut lines, you can either do 4 x 5, 2 x 6, whatever you prefer! Put them back in the dehydrator for another 12 hours on 100 F

7. Once they are done, you can melt the dark chocolate chips in the microwave and drizzle on top! To make them raw, you can omit this- but it is so good with them!

Mini golfin' with this goon- guess who won?

Maple Quinoa Granola Crunch

Early morning, early breakfast! Iggy has a very strict morning schedule (trust me- I didn't make this one up), which includes

9AM- Iggy wakes up and is all sweet and nice, grabs a bite for breakfast, and takes his morning dump

9:30AM- Iggy wants to play, so I have to wake up and play

10 or 10:30AM- Iggy goes back to sleep

Then he sleeps until probably 12ish and is back at the normal ritual of play, sleep, play, sleep. But this morning, Iggy was all about playing by 9AM. He woke up and did his morning rituals in 10 minutes and was ready to play by 9:15! So at 10AM I put on some Will&Grace and was ready to start my day of studying...after my morning rituals of watching Will&Grace, blogging, looking up recipes, and make a mental schedule of what lies ahead for my day (this is while Iggy is taking his nap). I sound like a crazy cat lady mother, but I love my Iggy Smalls!

annywayyyssss, back to being normal: I LOVE granola crunch on my yogurt, but unfortunately my stomach cannot handle oats very well and I've had to cut out yummy, delicious oatmeal and granola :[. But just last Thursday, I was watching Sweet Genius on TV and they had Quinoa as the secret ingredient. Personally, I don't like eating cooked Quinoa. It's taste is too grainy and awkward on the palette. But, on Sweet Genius they baked their Quinoa and sprinkled it on top of their cakes so it gave a crunch and made it look so beautiful! Therefore, I decided to take up the challenge and zazzy it up a bit. So friends, I give you and awesome alternative to Granola that is AWESOMER than the real thang. 

Maple Quinoa Granola Crunch

Yields about 1/2 Jar

1 Cup Quinoa (I used Rainbow Quinoa)

1/2 Cup Walnuts

2 Tablespoons Chia Seeds, or Flax Seeds (I used chia so they go with the Quinoa)

2 Tablespoons of Maple Syrup, Agave Nectar, or Honey (I used Maple!)

1/2 Tablespoon Canola Oil or Coconut Oil

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F and spray a baking sheet with cooking spray
2. Rinse your Quinoa in a fine mesh strainer several times! (It really makes a difference, it'll taste too grainy if you don't)
3. Drain and pat dry with a paper towel
4. In a medium bowl, mix together all the ingredients
5. Spread your mixture over the baking sheet and make sure it is rather even
6. Bake for 13-15 minutes, shaking the baking sheet every 5 minutes. 
7. Top it on yogurt, or if you have any other ideas post them on here!

Also, if you have any recipes you want to be gluten-free, vegan, or just want a recipe that you havent seen on here, let me know- shoot me an e-mail (aml5503@psu.edu) or just comment on my blog!