I have been slowly working on improving my diet. I think I have finally passed over the line of craving salty or sweet foods. It took awhile. I had to retrain my body and what I put into it. I have been really focusing on eating nutrient dense foods lately. If I am going to put calories into my body, why not make them worthwhile? I don’t want to eat something that I have to go exercise an hour for just to burn it off.
I had bought some chia, and raw hemp seeds awhile ago and was intending to put them in smoothies to drink because of their nutritional value. I unfortunately do not care for yogurt or kefir tasting drinks so it never happened. Call me crazy but I just started putting a couple tablespoons into my daily kombucha and drank them down?!!?
I was thinking not to share with anyone what I was concocting—because it was odd:)
I realized I like the way that the seeds made me feel and so I decided to come up with a bar to eat. A much more appetizing treat.
Before I give you my recipe, maybe you don’t know much about chia seeds, raw hemp, or flax seeds and how good they are for you. Here are some quick facts:
raw hemp seeds:
- excellent source of both fatty acids (good fats)
- great source of protein (3 Tablespoons contain 11 grams protein)
- highest form of protein that is not an animal product
- natural appetite suppressant
chia seeds:
- labeled as a “superfood” which means they are one of the healthiest foods on the planet
- excellent source of Omega 3’s
- excellent source of easily digestible protein
- excellent source of dietary fiber (3 Tablespoons contain 48% of daily fiber)
- contains 500% more calcium than milk
- have the ability to sustain energy for a long period of time
flaxseeds:
- helps lower cholesterol
- high in Omega 3’s which aid in reducing inflammation
- high concentration of lignans which help to inhibit tumor growth
- helps reduce bone loss thanks to concentration of fatty acids
So how do we get all that into something that resembles a food worthwhile to eat?? You make a bar.
I tried a recipe that I found on the internet and went with it. Here is the original recipe I found from wellnessmama
I did most of the same ingredients, in mine I put:
- 6 large dates
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
- 2 T coconut oil
- pinch of cinnamon
- 2 T shredded coconut
I put the dates into my food processor and processed them for a few moments.
I added the chia seeds, cinnamon, and coconut.
Then the coconut oil and came up with a mixture.
I put this in a pan lined with parchment paper and froze it. 
I came up with this result. They were okay, thinner and more seed like. But not enough for me to keep making them. So I decided to tweak it and make it more my own. I wanted something that had more of a chewier texture and taste a little better.
This is what I added:
- 1 1/2 cups dates
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 4 Tablespoons unsweetened coconut
- 1/3 cup each of hemp, flax and chia seeds
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 teaspoon of almond and vanilla extract
- pinch of sea salt
- 2 cup oatmeal
I did the same technique by putting in the dates and cranberries into my food processor. I added all of the rest of the ingredients ending with coconut oil.
I came up with this mixture. It looked and smelled much better. As far as taste goes it tastes wonderfully. It has an almondy, fruity, nutty and chocolatey taste.
I put them in a parchment paper lined baking pan and froze them. I cut them into bars and placed them in a plastic container. I would recommend keeping them cool otherwise the coconut oil will melt and they will fall apart.
Everyday I take out a chunk of a bar and enjoy its taste. It is actually very good. I recommend you trying this version.
All of the ingredients added to this are healthy. The only thing I discredit is the sugar that they put in the dried cranberries to make them sweeter. You can actually omit this if you want to, but I enjoy the flavor of it and like to keep it.
This made a full 9×13 pan and they are thicker than my first batch. I will be making these each month and enjoy them as my daily nutrient based food. I think these are better than the kombucha and seed mixture….agreed???
