Recipe: Healthy, Kid-Friendly Energy Bars

The way we we’re taught to look at health is suited for a world that no longer exists. Disease and health conditions are on the rise, and people are more unhealthy and unhappy than ever. For the first time, we are raising a generation that might not outlive their parents!

Children are so impressionable. They look to their parents or guardians to show them how to eat, how to live, how to behave. For this reason, it is so important that we are good influences on our children in regards to proper nutrition, and that we stay educated about it ourselves.

Nutrition is about so much more than food. To truly be healthy, we must look at a variety of factors that influence health, including past trauma, health history, relationships, cultural influences, genetics, lifestyle and more.

Your childhood diet, trauma, lifestyle, influences and relationships have a direct impact on your health as an adult. Thus, it is imperative that we teach our children at an early age how important it is to take care of themselves—physically, spiritually and emotionally—so they can experience life-long health and happiness.

That said, when my daughter started asking for cookies, I turned to something a little healthier: energy bars. But just like protein bars, I’ve never met a prepackaged energy bar I liked. And I’m so easy to get along with! My quest for the perfect bar led me to create my own.

This recipe has been a huge hit with kids, athletes, moms and celebrities alike. Enjoy!

ENERGY BARS RECIPE

(Serves 12)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup almonds
• 1 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup (shelled) sunflower seeds
• 1 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1/2 cup dried shredded coconut
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 3 tbsp raw cacao powder
• 1 tbsp maca powder (optional)
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place a piece of parchment paper in a large baking pan.
2. Place almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, apricots and coconut in a food processor until they are small pieces.
3. In a large bowl, combine all other ingredients until mixed well. Add the dry mixture and stir together.
4. Press into the pan and bake for 10 minutes.
5. Once cool, cut into bars and enjoy!

TIPS/SUBSTITUTIONS

• Try substituting your favorite nuts for almonds or walnuts.
• Toss in two tablespoons of hemp hearts for protein and a boost of healthy fat.
• If you don’t have parchment paper, you can use a bit of coconut oil for the pan.
• Maca is optional, but I highly recommend it.
• I like to single wrap these bars so I can grab them and go.

Talk about energy! Between the nuts, seeds and dried fruit, these energy bars are perfect for a busy day of play! Sunflower seeds are rich in the amino acid tryptophan, which has an incredible calming effect, and it’s also essential for optimal growth in children.

Photo credit: Quanthem, Thinkstock