chia, raw hemp, flax seed bars

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?!!?

IMG_20150111_154201I 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

 

IMG_20150128_092529

I put the dates into my food processor and processed them for a few moments.IMG_20150128_092949

I added the chia seeds, cinnamon, and coconut.IMG_20150128_093012

Then the coconut oil and came up with a mixture.

IMG_20150128_095658

I put this in a pan lined with parchment paper and froze it.  IMG_20150128_101335

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.

IMG_20150128_124258

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.IMG_20150202_073322Everyday 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???

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