Cherry Almond Chocolate Crisp Bars (grain-free, vegan)

I'm still packing and cleaning my apartment this week. Busy busy! I haven't had the head space and time to make many meals, so we have been eating whatever we need to get rid of and creating interesting combinations. This recipe was inspired with some leftover ingredients that I felt could be thrown together to make a healthy snack amidst all the crazy business. I love homemade food, so it is always a little sad when I have other things to do than cook and bake. So, I took some time to make a little treat. These are wonderful just cut and devoured, or cut and crumbled over some coconut ice cream or other vegan ice cream. Which is definitely what I would suggest ;)

Something important to learn about whole foods eating is that snacking is quite alright. Especially when you are eating whole nutritious ingredients that are giving you energy. Eating to fuel and sustain your well being is the key to better health. That is what is wonderful about almonds. They have good oils, protein and vitamins. You really can't go wrong with eating nuts. Some say they have to avoid them because of the fat in them. This is just crazy to me. Mainly because of this false idea of how fats are bad for you. You really need those fats to feed your brain and other organs. If you were one of those people into the 90's fad diet of fat-free snackwells you may still be in recovery. I know I am. Don't let yourself believe the lie. You can do better, you need some fat for balance in your life. So grab that handful of nuts and snack away. Or better yet add some almond butter, dried fruit and make a little recipe like...

Cherry Almond Chocolate Crisp Bars Recipe

1 cup of almond butter (creamy or crunchy)

3/4 cup of ground almonds, almond meal, or raw almonds ground in a coffee grinder

1/3 cup of flaxmeal

1/3 cup of chopped dates

1/3 cup of shredded coconut

1/2 cup of almond milk

1/2 ts. of sea salt

1/2 cup of dried cherries

1/2 cup of dairy-free dark chocolate chips

1 TB baking olive oil to oil the pan before pressing the batter in

Mix all the ingredients together well and press into a 8x8 or 9x13 baking tin. Either one works, it just depends on how think or thin you want your bars. Sprinkle some coconut or almonds on top and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting, or cut before you bake to make the crumbles less when you cut from pan. These bars could also be created raw, by cutting the almond milk in half and pressing the batter in the pan, refrigerating, and cutting into bars. They would be almost like a lara bar or other nut fruit raw protein bar. Make what sounds good to you...I hope you enjoy!

Well, I better get back to work. I am so excited about moving into my new kitchen and using my new dishes and just making a home of my very own kitchen. I have been renting with my husband for over 5 years since we were married and we are more than ready to have our own space to call our own. It will be fabulous! Hopefully, I will be able to create just as usual and really enjoy all the changes. I am not sure how quickly my kitchen will get unpacked, but hopefully it won't be long until another recipe... love to you all!