Divinely Delicious Gluten Free/Vegan Granola Bars

 So after reading the back of my favorite granola bars, checking the nutrition content, fat, calories, sodium etc and being fed up with what I found I decided to make my own. It's cost effective and smarter nutritionally for you to make your own favorite snacks. I love these granola bars, they are little power houses packed with omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, and they are rich in antioxidants.

Here is what you will need-

• 2 Tbsp Flax seeds + 6 Tbsp warm water
• 1 & 3/4 Steel cut oats
• 1 Cup Almond meal
• 2/3 Cup Dried cranberries
• 2 Tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 Tsp Sea salt
• 1/2 Cup Peanut butter
• 1/2 Cup Pure maple syrup 
• 2 Tbsp Chia seeds
• 1/2 Cup Gf chocolate chips
• 1 tsp Vanilla

Step one-

                                       Preheat oven to 350 F

Step two- Add warm water to flax seeds and set aside

Step three-

Combine dry ingredients with cranberries and chocolate chips

Step four-

Mix all wet ingredients together as well as the warm water and flax seeds, add to the dry ingredients, mix well until combined. Press mixture into a 9X13 pan sprayed with vegan nonstick spray

Step four-

Bake until golden brown on top, time will vary for each oven but it took me 20-25 minutes

Step five

Cool, cut into squares and enjoy

From my experience you can save yourself a lot of fat and calories by making your own snacks. We decide what we put into our bodies everyday my friends, make sure to take care of your body and it will take care of you. These granola bars are not only tasty but they are so good for you!

Photography by Alicia Szostak Photography

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The best vegan cookie you will ever eat!

   
 So the first recipe I want to share with you is a vegan chocolate chip cookie that is infused with a hint of orange. One point that I want to bring home is to make sure you are using good ingredients, that will make the difference between an okay cookie and an out of this world cookie.

                                             

   Okay so I developed this recipe after a great recipe I found for a grain free, egg, and dairy free cookie. I tweaked the recipe a little to make it my own. Here is what you will need-


2 cups almond flour 
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup coconut oil, or oil of choice
1/4 cup honey or vegan substitute 
1 tablespoon of good vanilla 
1 tablespoon coconut milk or almond milk
1/4 cup chocolate chips 
1 tablespoon of orange zest
2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed valencia orange juice
1 tablespoon of chia seeds or flax seeds for added nutrients

Preheat the oven the 350 F

Step one-

Combine the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.

Step two-

In a separate bowl combine everything but the the chocolate chips and orange zest.
 

                                                      

    

Step three-

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until well combined, add the chocolate chips and orange zest. 

Step four-

 Roll dough into golf sized balls and place on a greased baking sheet. Cook for 7-9 minutes, cool and enjoy.

                                                                 Bon appetit!
                                 
       
                                                                      
A special shout out to Alicia Szostak Photography for these incredible photos. Make sure to check her out!

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