Three Ingredient No Bake Bar

Some days life can get so busy that you forget to keep your body fueled with food.  We love finding simple and yummy recipes that are great to make in a pinch and that the whole family will like.  We also try to find snack recipes that are great for after a workout or yoga session that aren't too heavy.  That is why we love snack bars like these because they are super simple and great for any time of the day.  You can whip them up in a matter of minutes and everyone will want to grab one before heading out the door, or when they get home and need a quick pick me up.

What are your favorite snack foods?  We would love to know!

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Homemade Granola Bars

Having healthy snacks in the house is so important in maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.  We love snack recipes that make big batches, and that we can throw in our purse, gym bag, lunch box, or briefcase.  These homemade simple 5 ingreient granola bars fit the bill and we make them all the time!  We love taking them with us on nature walks, and they are a great way to help your body stay fueled during the day.

Ingredients

• 1 cup packed dates, pitted (deglet nour or medjool)
• 1/4 cup honey (or sub maple syrup or agave for vegan option)
• 1/4 cup creamy salted natural peanut butter or almond butter
• 1 cup roasted unsalted almonds, loosely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (gluten free for GF eaters)
• optional additions: chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, banana chips, vanilla, etc.

Instructions

1. Process dates in a food processor until small bits remain (about 1 minute). It should form a "dough" like consistency. (mine rolled into a ball)
2. Optional step: Toast your oats in a 350 degree oven for 15-ish minutes or until slightly golden brown. Otherwise, leave them raw - I just prefer the toasted flavor.
3. Place oats, almonds and dates in a bowl - set aside.
4. Warm honey and peanut butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir and pour over oat mixture and then mix, breaking up the dates to disperse throughout.
5. Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to an 8x8 dish or other small pan lined with plastic wrap or parchment paper so they lift out easily. (A loaf pan might work, but will yield thicker bars.)
6. Press down until uniformly flattened. Cover with parchment or plastic wrap, and let set in fridge or freezer for 15-20 minutes to harden.
7. Remove bars from pan and chop into 10 even bars. Store in an airtight container for up to a few days. I kept mine in the freezer to keep them extra fresh, but it isn't necessary.

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Organic Eating Resources

When it comes to creating healthy and organic meals, we are always on the lookout for new resources and recipes.  While we have favorites that we like to make time and time again, we also really like trying out new recipes for friends and family.  Pintrest is a great place to find new meal options, but we also wanted to share some of our favorite websites that are full of many delicious and organic recipes!

For those who try to stick to a grain free/paleo diet, Against All Grain (a blog by Danielle Walker) shares lots of yummy recipes!  Danielle also has two great grain free cookbooks full of recipes we use on a daily basis.

Grain-Free Spaghetti and Meatballs

 

Organic Authority has a wide variety of organic recipes that cover pretty much every occasion.  Whether you are looking for a quick dinner, a delicious dessert, or a fun snack, you will find something great here!

 

Risotto with Barley and Sweet Potatoes 

We really enjoy Sprouted Kitchen because all of their recipes embrace the idea of eating whole foods and organic ingredients.  The author, Sara Forte, also has two cookbooks that make a great addition to your collection.

Honey Roasted Pears

 

If you are into plant based goods, Oh She Glows is a great blog to check out!  A majority of her recipes are  free of gluten, soy, and processed foods, making them very healthy and great for vegetarians.

 

Green Tea Lime Pie Smoothie Bowl

Eating organic and whole foods doesn't have to be difficult, and having the right resources makes it much easier.  So while you are planning your meals for this week, why not try some of the wonderful recipes these blogs and websites have to offer!?

 

Lemon Chicken

We love recipes that transition well from season to season, and today we wanted to share a favorite lemon chicken by Ina Garten that is perfect for a cold winter night, or a summer evening on the patio!  Chicken, garlic, and lemon meld together to make a simple and delicious dish that is foolproof and can even be made ahead of time.  You can use chicken breast or thighs (we prefer thighs) and it pairs really well with a hearty salad in the summer, or roasted potatoes and asparagus in the winter.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup good olive oil
• 3 tablespoons minced garlic (9 cloves)
• 1/3 cup dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 boneless chicken thighs or breasts, skin on
• 1 lemon

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Warm the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the garlic, and cook for just 1 minute but don't allow the garlic to turn brown. Off the heat, add the white wine, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, and 1 teaspoon salt and pour into a 9 by 12-inch baking dish.

Pat the chicken breasts dry and place them skin side up over the sauce. Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle them liberally with salt and pepper. Cut the lemon in 8 wedges and tuck it among the pieces of chicken.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts, until the chicken is done and the skin is lightly browned. If the chicken isn't browned enough, put it under the broiler for 2 minutes. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes.

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