No Bake Energy Bars

I love having easy food to snack on, and am a bit of a sucker for granola bars. So many commercial granola bars are full of sugar hard to pronounce ingredients, so I scoured the internet for recipes, and then expanded on many of them in order to make something delicious & nutritious for myself. Healthy doesn't have to mean bland and tasteless, and everyone (no matter what diet you are on!) deserves a bit of a treat sometimes, so this recipe does include chocolate, but it can easily be omitted if you feel the need (although there is tons of research out there suggesting a bit of chocolate is actually good for the heart) and I strongly believe that if nothing else, chocolate is good for the soul.

No Bake Energy Bars
1/3 cup honey
2/3 cup nut butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup oats
1/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/3 cup flax seed
1/3 cup bran flakes or wheat germ
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I like almonds, macadamias and pecans)
2 tbsp chia seeds

1/4 cup hemp hearts

1/8 - 1/4 cup hemp protein powder 
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)

2 tbsp cocoa powder (optional)


1) In large bowl mix  honey, nut butter and vanilla (I suggest using a silicone spatula)
2) Add in all dry ingredients and mix well. Pour into a large baking dish and flatten.
3) Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
4) Cut into squares and enjoy!

The other option is to shape the batter into balls and roll in coconut or cocoa powder for bite sized energy to go! 

This recipe lasts well for upwards of two weeks if covered in the refrigerator. (That is if you don't eat them all right away!)