no preservatives

Cashew Cookie Larabars

Any LÄRABAR lovers out there? I am totally addicted to them! There are so many great things about these bars that I don’t even no where to begin! Maybe with their mission.

“At LÄRABAR, we believe that the foundation of a sound mind, body and spirit is derived from what you eat. And what you eat is most delicious and satisfying when it’s in a whole, natural state.”

Amen, Lara!

  • Gluten free
  • Dairy free
  • Soy Free
  • Made from 100% whole food
  • Delicious blend of unsweetened fruits, nuts and spices.
  • Each flavor contains no more than 9 ingredients.
  • Ingredients that you can actually pronounce.
  • No added sweeteners or sugar.
  • Uncooked and unprocessed.
  • Loaded with nature’s own vitamins and minerals.
  • Sustaining with no added fillers, preservatives, supplements, or flavorings.
  • A great source of natural fiber, protein, good carbohydrates and healthy fats.
  • The essential enzymes, which are necessary for the digestion and utilization of nutrients, remain completely intact in their most natural, powerful state.

Pure and simple, just as nature intended.

I have about 10 favorite flavors but the first one I ever tried was love at first bite. Cashew Cookie, oh how I love thee. It’s made of only dates and cashews, and let me tell you, it tastes like a cookie! A pricey cookie though… at about $2.50 per bar, your grocery bill can add up pretty quickly. Since Larabars are made from simple whole ingredients, I though to myself… pshhh I can make these! So I did.

Top: LÄRABAR brand.
Bottom: RFFMBT bar!

Cashew Cookie Larabars
Cashew Cookie LarabarsCashew Cookie Larabars
Makes 6 bars

1 cup pitted Medjool dates
1/2 cup raw unsalted cashews
1 Tbsp water – if needed

In a food processor, pulse the cashews until they are broken into tiny pieces (do not pulse for too long, as it will turn into powder). Pit the dates and add them to the food processor. Blend the dates and cashews together occasionally scraping down the sides of the food processor. If the mixture is not sticking together, add one tablespoon of water and continue blending. The mixture should stick together and be pliable. Remove the mixture and form into a ball. Place the ball on a large piece of saran wrap. Cover the top of the ball with another layer of saran wrap and flatten with a rolling pin or your hands. Cut into 6 pieces and wrap individually in saran wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes and enjoy!
Note: Store the bars in the refrigerator or freezer for maximum life.

Measure…

Cashew Cookie Larabars Pulse…
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Cashew Cookie Larabars…Enjoy!

Travel Snacks

I am taking a break from packing… or should I say downsizing my suitcase, because I am going to Japan today!

I love traveling, but sometimes it gets tricky to find healthy foods at airports. I like to prepare little emergency snack kits for my carry on bag just incase I get hungry or healthy choices aren’t available.

If you are traveling somewhere far, it can be nearly impossible to bring fresh food along with you. Meal replacement bars are a great option, but some of them have ingredient lists longer than the dictionary and are filled with artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and some questionable ingredients. I have done my research to find you the healthiest meal bars and snacks that are TSA approved, portable, shelf stable, and yummy! The best part? These snacks have no preservatives, and tiny ingredient lists with the largest list containing only 7 ingredients, all of which we can pronounce and locate in a grocery store!

Meet your new travel buddies:

Ak-Mak Whole Wheat Sesame Crackers: These generously sized whole grain crackers contain only 7 ingredients such as: organically grown whole wheat flour, clover honey, sesame oil, dairy butter, sesame seeds, yeast, and salt. They add up to only 110 calories and 4 grams of fiber per serving of 5 crackers! I love these crackers because they are perfectly crunchy and not to mention Armenian (I’m part Armenian), scoreee!

Larabar: Well, I’m speechless on this one… I don’t know how they do it! Larabars are possibly the greatest meal bars to hit the market. Ever. Larabars are gluten free, dairy free, soy free, non-GMO, vegan, and kosher but do not exclude flavor. Famous for their simple ingredient list, pure delicious taste, and and outstanding nutrition, Larabars are the simple way to eat on the go. My favorite flavor “Cashew Cookie” contains only cashews and dates and actually tastes like a cookie. Amazing! The nutritional stats aren’t too shabby either. Made from whole fruits and nuts in their most natural state, it contains 230 calories, and 3 grams of fiber! They come in a variety of flavors and have been popping up in grocery stores and some Target stores all over.

Blue Diamond Almonds, 100 Calorie Packs: Almonds are great portable snack and an excellent source of  vitamin E, fiber, copper, phosphorous and riboflavin. Sometimes it’s easy to get carried away and suddenly a handful turns into an entire bag, so this mini 100 calorie pack of whole, natural, unsalted almonds takes the guesswork out for you. Talk about good things in small packages!

Justin’s Classic Almond Butter, Single-Serve Packet: These convenient single serve packages contain 2 tablespoons of almond butter at 200 calories per packet. Smear some on crackers for the perfect snack without the jar, measuring spoons, and mess! These handy little packets come in a variety of different nut butters and flavors.

That’s It: I just recently discovered these bars and have become completely obsessed! I like to call them “adult fruit leathers!” The bars consist of two servings of fruit per bar… yup… that’s it… just like the title implies. Crazy right? My Apple & Pear bar contains one whole apple and one whole pear. That’s it (I can’t stop saying that out loud, I’m truly amazed)! No added sugar, preservatives, no nothing. Oh, and don’t forget, they’re also fat free, gluten-free, kosher, and vegan. At only 100 calories and a whopping 3 grams of fiber, That’s It bars are your new bff. These thick, chewy fruit bars are a great option if you don’t feel like lugging an apple around in your purse, or don’t feel like buying one at an airport café for say $5.

Just Tomatoes: Just like the package says, these are just tomatoes! Veggies can be the trickiest food to travel with, but this awesome brand Just Tomatoes, just made getting our veggie servings in so much easier. Just Tomatoes uses a special dehydrating process, which allows nutrients to stay intact and leaves them with the perfect chewy texture. Just Tomatoes makes a variety of different vegetable snacks from peas to corn and are always kosher, GMO free, and never contain additives, preservatives or sweeteners. At 90 calories and 2 grams of fiber per ounce, these make a great snack with whole grain crackers!