Best Snack Bars

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When discussing the transition to a healthy lifestyle and developing healthier habits with clients, friends or family, the number one thing that always comes up is snacking. Fad diets will tell you snacking is the 'enemy' and while yes, it's true, downing a bag of potato chips in between meals or grabbing a handful of M&Ms on your way out the door will definitely not help you achieve your health and fitness goals, there are certain snacks that can actually do you some good. Enter: My BEST Snack Bars. These snack bars truly are the best for a few reasons..

1. They taste absolutely delicious. Not just in the way that most 'healthy' snacks promise to (but more often than not end up tasting like the packet), these really are. The subtle sweetness from the honey, crunch of the mixed nuts and seeds, chew of the dried fruit and little hint of coconut create a match made in delicious snack heaven!

2. They're really good for you. These bite-sized bars are packed full of micronutrients like Vitamin C, B and A as well as super-high levels of protein, fats and fibre which also means...

3. They keep you fuller for longer. The healthy fats and protein within the bars will keep your stomach feeling full and satisfied for much longer than other quick-burn foods like processed pre-packaged snacks or even just a single piece of fruit. Their high-fibre content also means the ingredients are easily digested and broken down in your system, keeping all your inner plumbing working smoothly and regularly.

4. If stored in the fridge, these bars will last up to 4 weeks, or you can simply pop them in the freezer in an airtight container and thaw out whenever you need!

5. They may be chock full of all the good stuff, but you'd never know from their size. These pint-sized dynamo snacks mean you can get a quick protein and nutrient hit whenever hunger strikes. Simply wrap one up and pop it in your bag, car or just your pocket for an on-the-go emergency snack when those stomach grumbles rear their ugly head.

Serves: 20-24
Time: 15 MINS PREP + 25 MIN COOK

INGREDIENTS
7 Dried Apricots (Optional. Can replace with more dates)
7 Pitted Medjool Dates
120g Mixed Nuts, Unsalted (recommend walnuts, macadamia and cashews)
50g Shredded Coconut
25g Dried Goji Berries/Dried Cranberries
140g Almonds
60g Protein Powder (or 60g extra Almonds)
3 Eggs
60g Honey
30g Water
15g Chia seeds
40g Sunflower seeds
20g Linseed/Flaxseed
30g Pepita seeds

METHOD
1. Grease a baking dish or tray approx. 30cm x 20cm and line with Baking paper so that it comes up on the sides a little.

2. Add Apricots, Dates, Mixed Nuts, Shredded Coconut and Goji into Mixing Bowl and TURBO / 1 SEC / x3 (if needs more, do in 0.5 sec lots until desired consistency) Transfer into separate bowl and without cleaning the Mixing Bowl.

3. Add 140g Almonds (add an extra 60g here if you aren't using protein powder) and MILL / 8 SEC / SPEED 9.

4. Add Protein powder to milled Almonds and COMBINE / 5 SEC / SP 5, scrape down sides of bowl.

5. Add Eggs, Honey and Water, MIX / 5 SEC / SP 4. Scrape down sides and bottom of bowl.

6. Add to the mix the reserved chopped ingredients from earlier plus add all the other remaining ingredients.

7. MIX / 20-30 SEC / REVERSE / SP 4, using spatula forcefully through hole to help mix while blades turning.

8. Place mixture into the greased/lined ceramic baking dish or a brownie tray, wet hands and push down spreading evenly into the dish. Cook at 160 DEGREES for around 20-25 MINS or until starts to get a bit golden on the top. Better to under-do than overdo it as it will be dry and we want it to be nice and chewy.

9. Once cooled, cut into 20-24 bars and store in the fridge.

Author: Noni Jenkins

Noni Jenkins is a Personal Trainer, Weight Loss Specialist and Thermomix® Enthusiast. With over 15 years experience helping people live a healthier lifestyle.

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