On the days I teach three classes in a row, I need a little snack to get me from my 6 am breakfast to my 1:30 pm lunch. This is especially important since I'm not the type of person who can function while hungry (that's the hobbit in me).  Plus, getting too hungry can lead to grabbing easy but often unhealthy snacks on campus...so I Iike to have my stash of readymade delicious, healthy treats I can take with me to school.

One of my new favorites is this Energizer Bunny Bar, packed full of chia seeds, oats, and all sorts of good-for-you nutrients.  I adapted it from the Healthy Family and Home's raw hemp and chia seed bar, supplementing ingredients with what I had on hand.  What can I say?  I'm an improviser.  These bites store well in the fridge and freeze well too. Remember, this raw bar is full of fats--good for you, yes--but stick to a small 2inx2in square for your snack so you aren't eating more calories than you can burn.  To learn more about the health properties of these ingredients, check out the link to the raw hemp and chia seed bar above.

Dry Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups multigrain oats (rye, barley, wheat)

1/2 cup organic blue corn meal                                         

1/2 cup organic chia seeds                                                 

1/4 cup organic flaxseed meal 

3/4 cups organic almond meal

Wet Ingredients:  

1/2 cup organic honey    

1/2 cup organic applesauce 

3/4 cups organic peanut butter 

1/4 cup organic coconut oil (melted/liquid)      

2 teaspoons organic vanilla extract

Mix all wet ingredients together.  In a separate bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together.  Then slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring frequently (you may also need to get in there and mix it up with your hands).  Put mixture into a 9x10 baking dish or piece of Tupperware and press down firmly until the mixture spreads out evenly.  Let chill in the fridge for at least one hour to firm up (you'll want to continue to store them in the fridge because they soften at room temp).  Cut into little squares and enjoy! 

Makes approximately 12 squares.