Yummy Protein Bars

These are yummy and super easy! I hope you enjoy!
Ingredients:
1/3 bag natural or organic chocolate chips (I use Girardelli 65% cacoa)
2 cups almonds
1/2 cup prunes or raisins (I like it with prunes best)
1/2 c flax seed
1/2 c coconut, unsweetened
1/2 c coconut oil, 1 t coconut oil
1/2 c natural, no sugar added peanut butter
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t sea salt
1 t vanilla
2 T honey, agave, or maple syrup

In a food processor, chop nuts until tiny pieces but not crumbs. Add prunes and blend again. Add peanut butter, coconut, flax seed, cinnamon, salt. In a small saucepan, melt coconut oil, vanilla, and honey together. Pour into mixture and process on high until well blended.
Scoop into 8x8 pan. Refridgerate 30 minutes.
In a small saucepan, very low heat, melt 1 t coconut oil, then add chocolate chips. Whisk constantly until melted and spread over top. Refridgerate another 30 minutes.
Cut into bars or squares. Freezes well.






Peanut Butter Yogurt Delight

Jessie's Favorite Meal:
While I was messing around with our menu trying to find ways to work more calcium and Omega #'s into the kids' diet, I stumbled across this quick little combo and three of my kids love it. The other child doesn't eat yogurt so we are still working on hers.
Now, granted we go through outrageous amounts of yogurt but it is so good for them. The flax provides much needed fiber in a very digestable form (whole grains are great sources of fiber but are actually hard to digest unless they are soaked). Flax contains Omega 3s which assist in heart health and lignans which help protect our bodies from certain cancers. And of course, it provides diety fiber which benefits our digestive health.

1 cup organic vanilla or banilla yogurt ( I usually use Stonyfield because I am not into making my own yet)
1-2 T all natural or organic, no sugar or salt added peanut butter
1 T ground or milled flax seed

Mix together. SOOOOOO yummy! SHe eats everyday, at least once/day.






 
This recipe is from Laura over at Heavenly Homemakers....she has wonderful, healthy dessert and treat ideas. Her site is filled with tons of wonderful recipes and I must say I have enjoyed every one I have tried!

Creamy Vanilla Pudding

2 1/2 cups milk
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup real maple syrup (grade B is best for you) or honey
4 T. arrowroot powder (or organic corn starch)
1/4 t. sea salt
1 T. butter
1 t. vanilla

In a medium saucepan, whisk together milk, egg yolks, maple syrup, arrowroot powder and salt.  Cook over medium heat, stirring CONSTANTLY until pudding begins to thicken.  Stir over the heat for about 15 more seconds.  Remove immediately from the heat, and continue to stir until pudding is creamy.  (I use my whisk the whole time for stirring and find this works great!)  Add butter and vanilla and continue to stir until mixed.  Pour into serving dishes and serve warm, or chill for two hours and serve cold.