Pre-pregnancy, I often carried snacks in my purse. Now, they are a must! I’ve made my rounds in the granola bar aisle at the grocery store. Some are just glorified candy bars. So, I decided to make my own and make them as healthy and delicious and I darn well please, leaving out all the junk I don’t want and including every single nutritious ingredient on my granola bar wish list…hence the name Kitchen Sink Granola Bars.

I scoured the internet for recipes and found primary inspiration from a recipe on ohsheglows.com. I made a few adjustments, catering specifically toward the nutritional needs of expectant mothers.

Pumpkin seeds: protein, iron, omega-3s, magnesium, zinc, vitamin A
Hemp seeds: protein, fiber, omega-3s, omega-6s, magnesium, essential amino acids
Apricots: iron, folic acid, potassium, calcium, magnesium, fiber
Almonds: protein, iron, vitamin E, fiber, calcium, folic acid, unsaturated fat
Cranberries: fiber, anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, antioxidants
Flax meal: fiber, omega-3s, lignans, antioxidants
Walnuts: omega-3s, protein, fiber, calcium, potassium, B vitamins, magnesium, phytonutrients, antioxidants
Raisins: fiber, iron, potassium, B vitamins, calcium, antioxidants, calcium
Cherries: antioxidants, melatonin, vitamin-C, iron, B vitamins, calcium, phosphorous

For an added touch, wrap them individually in parchment paper and twine, and then pass them out to all your mommy friends.

Kitchen Sink Granola Bars

2016-07-07 22:49:51

Yields 16

Cute, delicious, nutritious, easy, filling, grab-n-go snack made of 100% organic, real food ingredients, and no added sugar or oil!

Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

5 small very ripe bananas
2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup ground flaxseeds
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped
1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Mash bananas in a bowl with a fork until smooth.
Stir in rolled oats and all the nuts, seeds, and dried fruits.
Mix in vanilla extract and salt.
Transfer the mixture to a parchment lined 9×13-inch pan, and smooth with a spatula.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until the edges and top have browned slightly.
Remove from the oven. Carefully lift the giant granola bar out of the pan, and let it cool on a cooling rack.
Once completely cooled, slice it into 16 bars.