Bake a Better Granola Bar

Ready for a challenge? Send your kids to school with healthy, homemade granola bars next week. The best part about making your own granola bars is that you can make them with exactly what you want in them - fruits, nuts, chocolate, added fiber, anything! My daughter's school is peanut free, so I use sunflower seeds, flax seed, chia seeds, coconut, chocolate chips and walnuts. They are unbelievably delicious and packed with vitamins and minerals. Soaking your oats, cracked cereal and walnuts is highly recommended - the bars will be significantly more nutritious, and soaking makes the oats naturally sweeter, reducing the need to additional sugar.

4.5c Thrive Instant Oats, Soaked*
1/2c Chopped Raw Walnuts, Soaked *
1/2c Thrive 9 Grain Cracked Cereal, Soaked*
1/2c Thrive Whole Wheat Flour
1/2t Thrive Salt
1c Honey
1/4c Butter
1/4c Coconut Oil
2t Vanilla Extract
Optional (choose at least 2): 1/4c Ground Flax, 2T Chia Seeds, 1/4c Mini Chocolate Chips, 1/2c Chopped Peanuts (or any other kind of nut), 1/2c Peanut Butter (or other nut butter), 1/2c Sunflower Seeds, 1/2c Shredded Coconut, 1/2c Dried Fruits (raisins, craisins, Thrive apple slices, Thrive banana chips, chopped figs),

*Soaking: combine oats, walnuts and cracked cereal with 1-1/2c warm water, 1/4c whey, buttermilk or plain yogurt and 1/4c Thrive whole wheat flour. Stir well to combine, cover and leave on the counter overnight or for up to 24 hours. Drain any remaining liquid (there might not be any), then spread everything out on a large cookie sheet and bake at 250 degrees for 2 hours or until crisp. Yes, this is a time consuming step that requires you to plan ahead. Yes, it is absolutely worth it. You can always make a double batch and freeze half for next time!

In a small sauce pan, combine honey, butter, oil and vanilla. If you are going to use peanut butter (or another nut butter) add it at this step. Heat the mixture on medium heat until simmering and frothy. Continue to cook the honey, stirring frequently, until the froth has disappeared. This is a very important step - if you don't cook the honey long enough, your granola bars will fall apart later!

While your honey is heating, combine the remaining ingredients and your choice of mix ins. Stir all of the dry ingredients together, then pour the honey mixture over the top. Mix very well and press firmly into a 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars or squares. Store in an air tight container.

Carrot Cake Oatmeal

Yesterday it was sunny and 90 degrees here in Colorado, and this morning it 45 and blustery! Fall is well on it's way, and that means it's time to break out my favorite fall recipes. Apple pie, pumpkin spice cake, winter squash casseroles and thick, flavorful soups. I prefer to serve a hot breakfast to my family on cold mornings, and this carrot cake oatmeal certainly is delicious!

1T Thrive Carrot Dices
1 1/2c Water, Divided
1/2c Thrive Instant Oats
1T Thrive Instant Milk Powder
1T Brown Sugar
1/2t Cinnamon
1/2t Pumpkin or Apple Pie Spice

Dissolve milk powder in 1 cup cold water and set aside. In a small saucepan, simmer the carrots in 1/2c water for 5 minutes or until tender. Add milk, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and spices. Simmer for 5 minutes or until oats are tender. Serve piping hot!

Overnight Coconut Cinnamon Oatmeal

This one takes a little planning ahead, but it is oh so worth it. Refrigerating the cooked oats overnight allows them to absorb the extra liquids, turning them into large, pillowy soft oats. This recipe will make one bowl that you won't want to share - so if your husband is going to want some, you'd better double it now!

1/2 Thrive Oats
1 1/2c Water
2T Thrive Instant Milk
2T Thrive Macaroon Mix
Cinnamon

Microwave oats and water in medium bowl for 3 minutes. Stir in instant milk and macaroon mix. Refrigerate overnight. Reheat in the morning and garnish with cinnamon.

Hint: this would make a nice gift! Package the dry ingredients in a cute little celophane bag, top it with a pretty ribbon, and include the instructions on a card attached to it. All the recipient will need to add is water.

* To order Thrive Macaroon Mix, click here and fill out the contact form. I'll be in touch with you shortly. Your contact information will not be shared.