Since I'm trying to stay away from processes foods and only eat whole, real food I've found Lara Bars. These are Gluten free, dairy free, vegan, kosher and soy free bars that I keep in my purse in case we're out and about I feel hungry. With one of these I'm less tempted to stop at a fast food joint and pick up a greasy cheeseburger and fries. Plus, these bars taste great! My favorites are the Key Lime Pie and the Coconut Creme. I really enjoy the bars but I don't love the price, they can run about $2 each, but I've been finding them at Sprout's for $1.25 which isn't bad but I thought I could make them inexpensively and put my own twist on the flavors.
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| If you're on the Whole30 meal plan then these are the only Lara Bars you should be eating. Others have things that are not Whole30 compliant in them. First gather all of the needed ingredients. I found mine at Sprout's Farmer's Market but you might find them at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and maybe your local grocery store. Printable Recipe click here Lemon coconut bars
18 pitted medjool dates
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1 cup cashews
1/2 cup almonds
juice of 1 lemon
pinch of salt (if needed)
Line a 8x8 baking dish with wax or parchment paper so that the paper drapes over the sides.
Pit the medjool dates by splitting open with a serrated knife and taking pit out.
Soak dates in bowl of warm or hot water for 5 minutes.
While the dates are soaking add the nuts to food processor or blender and chop (I reserve 1/2 a cup chopped nuts).
Next put dates, lemon in food processor and blend with the nuts.
You can add chia seeds if you want to and then pulse once or twice.
At this time I add the 1/2 a cup of chopped nuts that I had reserved and 1/2 cup coconut
and hand mix it in the sticky dough.
Dump it out on your wax paper
I usually use a small piece of wax paper on top to spread and even the dough in the pan.
If you like coconut you can sprinkle a little more on top.
Pop in refrigerator for 20-30 minutes until the bars harden.
Store in a container with a lid at room temp or in the refrigerator.
 This is what the container of Medjool dates looks like and the price. I used about 1/2 the container so I can make 2 different flavors.  This is what the date looks like cut open, just pluck that seed out. You don't want to leave those in and end up breaking a tooth on it!  As you're pitting the dates drop them in some warm/hot water to they can soak.  While the dates are soaking I blend up the nuts  Make sure to reserve about 1/2 a cup of the blended up nuts for use later on.   Next I add the nuts and the blended up dates together. I found this works best in a high powered blender like a VitaMix.  Squeeze some lemon in and pulse.  I usually add a scoop or 2 of Chia seeds.  I throw in coconut because I love it but it's just as good without it.  Then I hand mix it all together and it looks like this.   Make sure your pan is lined with parchment or wax paper and drop your dough in. Then, I take another piece of wax paper on top and smash it around with my hands until it fits the paper and is nice and even. Peel the top wax paper off and sprinkle with coconut...or not if you're not a fan of coconut. 
Then, pop in the fridge for about 30 minutes so it'll harden up. Slice and store in a container with a tight fitting lid.
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Thanks for reading,
I was not compensated in any way for this blog post!
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