Homemade Copycat Larabars

Hey guyysss. It's been a while since I've posted any recipes or food ideas lately, but working all day with my internship makes blogging and taking food pictures a tad difficult. I can only take pictures in the afternoon, and since I work until 5 or so, I'm forced to work on my blog during the weekends. And every weekend has been so busy...Hence, the long sabbatical since I've posted. 

Example of what's keeping me busy during the week--adult ballet and tap lessons. Yes, I'm serious. I've always wanted to dance, but never did as a kid. Every time I watch Step Up (the original one) and Dancing with the Stars, my heart just longs to be a dancer.  As a kid, all of the Disney Channel movies had me convinced I was born to be a star, but that my parents had dropped the ball by not enrolling me in dance or acting lessons. I had opportunities in college to take dance classes at our school workout facility, but never wanted to make the time commitment (so maybe I can't blame my parents for my lack of dancing skills?). A few weeks ago I watched some old Dancing with the Stars episodes which then led me to watch some Singing In the Rain clips which then led me to look up adult dance classes in the area. And now one night a week I'm getting my inner Kathy Seldon on in tap lessons. Boy have I got a long ways to go.

With my busy schedule, meal planning is key. At the beginning of each week, I plan out all of the dinners and then make a grocery list. Then during the week, I prep food the night before if I know we need a quick dinner or if I know I'll be getting home later the next night. I grew up eating at 6:30. 8 o'clock dinners just won't do around the Smith household (I get super hangry).

Quick and easy snacks are also important when we're on the go. These bars are wannabe Larabars. I found the recipe last year and have modified them for our taste and budget. I've tried other granola bar recipes out there, but these remain our favorite. And honestly, they turn out different every time because I normally just thrown in differing amounts of the prunes...and sometimes I add in other ingredients like instant coffee. But lucky for you, I measured it out for this blog post. 

So prunes. Most copycat Larabar recipes I see out there use dates. Dates were HUGE there for a while for various recipes. But here's the thing...they are super expensive. And not easy to find if you don't have a Sprouts or Whole Foods or health market where you live. So instead, I use prunes. I get mine at ALDI for pretty cheap. However, if you prefer the taste of dates over prunes, go for it. Either one works great.

Enough of all my rambling, let's get on to the recipe. Branch out and enjoy trying something new this week that you've been wanting to do but have never found the time or confidence to. Maybe you should try a new snack while you're at it!

Yield: 8 bars

Author: Ashley Smith, RD

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Homemade Copycat Lara Bars

Ingredients

• 1/2 C roasted, unsalted almonds
• 1/2 C cashews
• 1 C prunes/dates
• 1/2 C old fashioned oats
• 1/2 C unsweetened shredded coconut
• 2 Tbsp dark chocolate chips
• Optional: protein powder, 1/4 cup cocoa powder (if you add either, you may need to add extra water)

Instructions

1. Place the almonds in the food processor and pulse until chopped. Remove and set aside. Repeat with the cashews and set aside. Place prunes/dates in the processor and pulse until a thick paste forms (you may need to add a tablespoon of water). Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until all of the ingredients are incorporated and the mixture sticks together (again, you may need to add water one tablespoon at a time). Place in a loaf pan and press down with wax paper or parchment paper. Place in fridge and allow to harden before cutting. Store in fridge up to one week.

Breakfast...The Best Part of My Day

If you haven't noticed, I happen to like hosting parties/get-togethers. And I at these said parties, I really enjoy feeding my friends.  In college, I would have a group of friends over almost every Saturday morning for pancakes. We would have different sides with it each week, but the pancakes were the same. I was sort of known for my pancakes...it was my thang. 

Breakfast is my jam. I haven't met many a breakfast I didn't like. Biscuits, sausage, gravy, eggs, pancakes, waffles, muffins, bagels, cereal (oh my goodness, I could live on cereal), oatmeal, grits...wait, no grits. My mom used to feed us grits with a piece of kraft cheese melted in. How was that a good idea??? Yet, somehow I used to love it. Gross...But seriously, I really look forward to breakfast every day. That's why Isaac and I eat breakfast for dinner sometimes too. 

I tend to get focused on one breakfast item for a while. A few months ago it was oatmeal variations most days. Then I was hooked on scrambled eggs. Lately I've been on a sweets/carb kick. It's times like these that pancakes perfectly fit the sweet/carb craving. 

I discovered these pancakes in high school and have tweaked them over time. They are a great breakfast choice as they have fiber and carbohydrates from the whole wheat flour and oatmeal, healthy fat (think omega-3s) in the flax, protein in the greek yogurt and egg, and other additional goodies (various vitamins in the apple and pumpkin, aaaaand...antioxidants in the dark chocolate :-) ). 

I added the pumpkin maybe 2 years ago and have never looked back. It doesn't really change the taste much, but it makes the pancakes incredibly thick and keeps them from being dry. I add in some thinly chopped apple and dark chocolate chips, but feel free to add whatever you want--bananas, blueberries, pecan, etc. Sometimes my family will make a big batch of batter and divide it into smaller bowls. Everyone then puts their own mix-ins and cooks them on the griddle. The possibilities are endless!

Can I just point out the little pieces of apple in there??  

Yield: Serves 3-4

Author: Ashley Smith, RD

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Whole Wheat Pancakes

Thick, fluffy pancakes that are packed with nutrition that leaves you feeling full, satisfied, and energized.

Ingredients

• 1/2 C all-purpose flour
• 1/2 C whole wheat flour
• 1/4 C old fashioned oats
• 2 Tbsp ground flax seed
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1.5 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 C milk of choice
• 1/4 C Greek yogurt
• 1 egg
• 2 Tbsp canned pumpkin
• 1/3 C thinly chopped apple
• Optional: cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, dark chocolate chips, blueberries, chopped nuts

Instructions

1. Combine all of the dry ingredients and stir to mix. Add in wet ingredients and mix until combined and wet batter forms. Add in the apple and any other mix-ins. The batter will be thick (you want it to be), but if it is too thick, add 1 Tbsp water at a time. Pour ¼ C batter onto preheated skillet at medium heat. When the top bubbles and the bottom side is cooked, flip and cook additionally until it is cooked through. Top with your toppings of choice and enjoy!

Top with peanut butter....is there really any other way to eat pancakes??