Happy Wednesday!
Well I was off the oat wagon for sometime but was on a mission to make a different tasting granola bar for Ryan to take on the go with him or to chew before a heavy weightlifting session and oats seem like quite the manly thing to add to a vegan bar. Right?!
As he was busy sweating his buns off last night, I was in the condo mastering a granola bar. My fuzzy pj pants were on, my hair all twirled up into a bun on the top of my head and my music cranked. This is when the best recipes come out…when the music is up and I am singing while Hudson sits at the edge of tile in the kitchen staring at me 
We have a bag of glorious organic navel oranges that we have been enjoying, and I started thinking…orange and chocolate rock together. I think orange and chocolate are lobsters. They love each other, just like mint and chocolate and peanut butter and chocolate and well, my mouth and chocolate do! Mmmmmm.
Bars have been on my mind since last week when I made the Chocolate Quinoa Bars, and I learned a lot from those suckers. I learned that they are tasty, healthy {especially without nasty sugars!} and fun!
Chocolate Navel Granola Bars:
*Makes 4 bars
1 cup oats {organic quick oats}
1 tbsp orange zest
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp cocoa powder
3 tbsp vanilla rice milk
2 tbsp maple syrup
3 medjool dates {chopped}
1 tbsp boiling water
1 tbsp sunflower seed butter
To Make Chocolate Navel Granola Bars: Preheat oven to 350.
Soak chopped dates with 1 tablespoon boiling water.
Mix all dry ingredients and orange zest in a large mixing bowl. Stir well.
Mash dates and boiling water together into a paste. Add in the sunflower seed butter, rice milk, and maple syrup.
Add wet to dry and fold together.
Roll out into 1 inch thick bars on a parchment lined sheet.
Bake for 17 minutes.
I only got 4 bars out of this recipe, so I will be doubling up next time!
Enjoy before or after a workout, as a mid morning snack or a snack on the go!
My go to snacks while heading out the door are bars. All kinds of bars, but homemade of course
What is your “Go To” take along snack??
To Your Glam Life,
xxoo
Kris
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Yum! Those look so good! I’m already thinking of all the different variations you could do with your recipe as the base! I love granola bars that aren’t loaded down with sugar
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kris Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Ahhhh…I swear the ideas of combos swirling in our heads is a wonderful feeling! If you make some, let me know!!
xxoo
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AWWW ! they ARE Lobsters! *SO* sweet… (and now I am thinking of you as Phoebe!!)
these look so SO fabulous. now that I have a taste for your treats I want them all! …and while I cannot picture your kitchen, I DO know what Hudsy looks like, sitting on the edge of the tile, because Basil does the same! or he will sit at the top of the couch, which looks into the kitchen.
happy wednesday, girl!
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kris Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:47 pm
Awwww, Basil! I love how Hudson just discovered the back of the couch
Hahahaha, Friends is my fav show of all time. So freaking funny
Have a great day, beautiful!
xxoo
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I’m impressed. DO you eat oats now again? Are those bars chewy or crispy?
I love medjool dates.
nevernotdreaming´s last blog ..Fear No Fear Repeat
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kris Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:46 pm
They are a bit of both….chewy and crunchy along the outer corners. They are FAB warmed up! mmmm
Dates rock!
xxoo
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girl I’m drooling over everything you have been making lately. It’s time for me to get a cracking and make some of these amazing eats!!
PS I LOVE cooking or baking with loud music..the pop stuff especially as it gets me shaking my hips while I whisk away lol!!!
My take-a-long snack has to be a protein ball/bar or a killer green smoothie:)
Happy Wednesday!
Melissa´s last blog ..Zero to 30
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kris Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:45 pm
Aren’t green smoothies an awesome take along snack? Full of a punch that will get you goin’ I love it!
You will love these if you love the sweet taste of chocolate and navels…..drool.
See, we get a workout while we bake, my kind of girl! xxoo
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How sweet of you to make Ryan a take along snack! Kevin (my boyfriend) prefers plain and simple, so he takes Clif bars with him over my homemade goodies. More for me! My favorite take along snack is almond butter and apples. It can get messy so I chop it up real tiny so I can eat it with a spoon. Does the trick every time!
Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit´s last blog ..Coconut Curry Miso Gravy Luscious Bowls
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kris Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:44 pm
You are brilliant! My kind of gal….I make all my ‘fresh’ take along snacks small enough to eat with a spoon. Clean and simple!
Ryan used to love Clif Bars before going on his strict diet! They are tasty!
xxoo
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So unfortunately due to a Xmas incident the combo of chocolate and orange is a little off-putting…You see, my lovely dog Naava managed to snarf down a softball size ball of Trader Joe’s dark chocolate orange slices, and well, proceeded to get a very sick. The smell of orange-chocolate dog poo is not good!!! haha
BUT these do LOOK scrumptious and when I get over my aversion, I’d love to try ‘em!
Shanna, Like Banana´s last blog ..Weighty matters — part 3
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kris Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:43 pm
Hahaha! Well, this is a VERY good reason to steer clear of chocolate and orange. However your Naava might love them just fine
xxoo
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I know these would be a hit in our house! My husband loves orange and chocolate. Delish! Think I could do a quick pulse in the food processor on rolled oats if I don’t have any quick cooking on hand?
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kris Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:42 pm
Hey Girl! These are such a hit around here too
Yes, totally try pulsing them and baking then baking…perfect! Let me know how they go 
xxoo
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My go-to tagalong snack lately is a homemade version of a larabar – I can’t seem to get enough! But today I actually bought some Larabars because they were on sale for $1. I can’t pass up a good deal.
Dorry´s last blog ..Bird’s Brain- Take 1
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These look so professional! I’ve been loving making my own stuff lately so I am definitely saving this recipe
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kris Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Awesome! you will love this simple little recipe for a healthy treat
xxoo
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So many recipes with dates and I don’t have any :’( I definitely need to go to the store
Jenny (Fit Girl Foodie)´s last blog ..Battle Of The Oats
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kris Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Sorry girl! Dates are my new BFF right now…they are amazing!
xxoo
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I actually don’t ever remember to take snacks with me … but I always regret it! I am going to have to start carrying bars with me, or leaving snacks at work, because I get super hungry and then my stomach growls and I worry everyone can hear it!!
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kris Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 6:38 pm
Hahaha! Oh girl, everyone hears my tummy growl all the time
i can’t live without my snacks, it will give you some good fuel thats for sure!
xxoo
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Hi Kris,
Seriously? Chocolate and orange: together? LOVE the combination. Of course, since I blog for SunButter (brand of sunflower seed butter) I’m always looking for new combinations and this is a winner! As for a go-to take along snack, peapods are right up there. Can’t wait to try this granola bar recipe, however. Looking forward to following all your creations!
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