On The Run: Almond Butter Oat Granola Bars

I figured it was time to indulge a smidge; but, in a good way! I have featured some hearty as well as healthy comfort food over the last weeks...and thought we all need a treat! 

That said, desserts or baking is more challenging for college students, because most college students, grad students or post-graduates don't own a kitchen with baking gear, nor do they have the time! 

So how do we use what you already have, i.e. in terms of pantry, equipment and skills? Keeping it simple is key! And this was just the recipe!  

Granola Nut Butter Bars

Equipment:

--mixing bowl

--measuring cups

--oven-proof 8" x 8" pyrex dish, lined with parchment paper & sprayed with PAM

--magic-bullet-like blender

Ingredients:
2 cups old-fashioned oats, divided into 1 1/2 cups & 1/2 cup
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup creamy peanut or almond or any other nut butter
3/4 cup chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 Tbls canola / vegetable oil

Instructions:
1. Wash your hands.
2. Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
3. Prep your pyrex with parchment paper and spray with non-sticking spray, like PAM
4. Use your smoothie or shake blender to pulverize 1/2 cup of oats.

5. Combine oats, ground oats, nut butter, chocolate chips, sugar, honey, and canola oil. 
6. Stir until well-combined, thickened batter.

7. Spread the batter into your prepared pyrex dish and flatten.

8. Bake at 350F degrees x 25 minutes until golden brown.

9. Allow cookies to cool completely before cutting into bars. 
10. Grab a glass of milk! 

Pretty cool, right?
And delicious!

Icebox Banana Crunch Pops

Numerous health resolutions are attempted on New Year's Day of each year with zeal and determination; however, as the winter months drag on, it is easy to give up on maintaining exercise and good eating habits.

One way to prep and keep healthy snacks abundant is to utilize your freezer more, and pack it full of Grab 'N Go' goodies!

This was a great idea presented on Brunch with Bobby Flay...provided you like bananas, granola, Nutella, and crunchy treats in general! 

Tip: Use real popsicle sticks, not the skewers I had to resort to!

Icebox Banana Crunch Pops

Equipment:

Popsicle Sticks

Parchment paper

Baking sheet with parchment

Ingredients:

Fresh bananas, peeled and halved

1/2 c almond/peanut/cashew butter

2 Tbls honey

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Granola, bought or your own

Nutella, warmed to drizzle

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Prep the bananas and skewer on popsicle sticks.

3. Combine nut butter, honey and cinnamon.

4. Spread nut butter mixture around banana halves and roll in granola.

5. Warm your chocolate sauce or Nutella for drizzling. 

6. Layer onto baking sheet and freeze.

7. Grab after the gym or on your way to class. 

This frozen banana is like smooth like ice cream and then followed with a delicious chocolate-y crunch of granola goodness.

Packed With Goodness Granola

I have been reading 'I Will Teach You To Be Rich' by Ramit Sethi these last weeks--what a resource if you are in college, about to graduate, or starting your first job! Read it!

I have posted earlier, simple posts on the value of using your age to your financial benefit, but this book lays it out clean and easy to help you get your finances in order! Use it if you are in a position to apply it, even if on a small scale!

Other ways to build cash and reduce spending, especially in the kitchen...is to learn to cook, especially those grocery items completely marked up, ie cereal. Think about it...almost $5-6 per large box of cornflakes, or $3 - 4 on smaller boxes of specialty cereals!  

So, here's an ultra delicious option adapted from Huckleberry Cookbook from Huckleberry Cafe in Santa Monica, CA to start off your day with! Great recipe for any college student living off-campus and learning independence!

Packed With Goodness Granola

Equipment:

Large baking sheet with edges

Large mixing bowl

Spatula or spoon

Ingredients:

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 stick butter

1/2 cup honey

2 Tbls agave

1 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp cinnamon

Add Ins:

1 cup nuts (cashew, almonds, pistachios, peanuts, pepitas), toasted optional

1 cup dried fruits (apricots, cherries, raisins, cranberries, dates,whichever you like)

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands. 

2. Preheat the oven to 325F degrees.

3. Combine oats, butter, honey, salt, cinnamon. 

4. Spread onto your baking sheet and bake x 25 minutes. Toss and stir mid-way thru.

5. After 25 minutes, add your nuts and bake another 10-15 minutes. 

6. Bake until golden brown.

7. Toss and set aside to cool. 

8. Add in your dried fruits and cool completely.

9. Store in air-tight container up to 1-2 weeks! If it lasts that long!

Warm Berry Yoghurt

Just a simple blog today to add variety to your yoghurt.  But having said that, this recipe, once made, could be used on waffles, on oatmeal, or in smoothies.  Basically, use any combination of berries you like:  Blueberries-Blackberries, Strawberries-Raspberies, or any mixture you can think of.  If you have 10 minutes, this sauce will raise the bar.

Equipment:

3 quart saucepan

1/4 cup measuring cup

Spoon

Ingredients:

2/3 cup red raspberries, fresh or frozen

2/3 cup strawberries, fresh or frozen

1/4 cup water 

1/4 cup sugar

2 tsp of butter

Add-Ins:

Granola

Honey

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Wash the fruit.

3. Combine the fruit, water, and sugar in a sauce pan.

4. Bring to a boil and stir.

5. Reduce heat to a slow boil or simmer for 10 minutes until sauce begins to thicken.

6. Remove from heat and add butter

7. Prep your bowl or glasses with yoghurt, granola and honey.

8. Add fruit and top with granola.

9. You have a great day ahead of you.