No matter where I am going, whether it’s going to be a long travel day at the airport, or a thirty minute car ride, I almost always come prepared with snacks. I developed this little habit a couple of years ago when my littler sister Asher was just in preschool. I used to spend a lot of time helping out with Asher and would often bring her along to the grocery store or wherever the heck I was going. I learned fast that snacks are always, always, needed. Ever since then I pretty much never leave my house without a bag of almonds, a granola bar, and or fresh fruit. These superfood cashew goji berry bars are the perfect travel bar to carry with you pretty much anywhere you go. They’re full of fiber, antioxidants and healthy fats that will keep you full and help you avoid starvation…ok, maybe that’s a little dramatic, but they will save you from spending money buying (often unhealthy) food while you are out. Yes, please! Remembering to pack a snack is one of my better habits. I’ve got to say, it’s often saved the day. Example 1: being stuck in traffic and realizing not only that you’re hungry, but more importantly, that your little sister who is also with you, is not only starving, but freezing from sitting outside in the snow all day while watching Red (our brother) compete (true story). Example 2: running through the airport and realizing you have zero time to stop for food. Thank God for all the snacks you packed, right?! SIDE NOTE: my family is sending me texts of the an entire Christmas Village made up of completely chocolate over at Keystone Ski Resort right now…also it’s past nine pm as I write this and it’s snowing like crazy out right now. Ahh, one, don’t they know Christmas was like two weeks ago? Two, why are they driving to Keystone in a freaking snow storm at nine pm?! That said, it looks pretty cool and everything is made of chocolate. Cool, right? It’s a big attraction for the resort and I guess my mom and little sister wanted to see it before they take it down (in the middle of the night) tonight. So nine at night is then! PS. they might be slightly crazy, but I love their Christmas spirit. PSS. they took my dad along for the ride. He’s literally the Grinch. Wonder how that’s going…
Ok, but in all seriousness I actually first made these bars back on Christmas Day for my cousin Abby to take with her on her twenty-four hour travel day to India. She had asked me if I could make her a healthy bar so that she didn’t have to survive on airplane snacks. I gladly jumped at the chance to test out a new granola…ish bar recipe! Since she was leaving crazy early on the 26th that meant we spent some time in the kitchen on Christmas Day making these. The first batch turned out great and I gave them to Abby to take on all of her upcoming flights, but I knew I wanted to adjust the recipe a bit. I finally got them perfected to my satisfaction and these bars are seriously addicting. I blame the cashews, sesame seeds, and pinch of salt. I mean, there are other things going on, but these flavors are the standouts. Oh, and the vanilla. I swear after the first bite you’ll question how “healthy” these bars actually are, but the truth is, they’re full of so many awesome superfoods… …cashews …almonds …coconut …sesame seeds …quinoa …tahini …hemp seeds …goji berries So much goodness and all in one bar. Aka the most perfect anytime, anywhere, snack bar or breakfast-on-the-go bar!
Most of the bar is made in the food processor. The key is to really grind up all the nuts and seeds. Then stir in the goji berries and sprinkle on a few seeds to make the tops of the bars look all pretty. Bake. Cool. Cut. Eat. I should warn you that the raw mix tastes almost cookie dough like, it’s slightly addicting. However, once baked, the bars flavors of toasted nuts, coconut, vanilla and sweet goji berries really shine. They’re slightly crunchy, yet chewy at the same time. In my eyes, they’re the perfect bar. They also hold up pretty well to travel. It’s import to let the bars sit until they are cool enough to handle, then cut and continue to let them cool before storing. Once cool, they should harden up nicely, and will then be easily storable. Then you’re ready to go. Maybe share…maybe not, just be aware, I’ve made three batches and all have been gone within the first day…
Like I said, these bars are addicting. Muhahahaha.
