Homemade LARA bar

This post is thanks to one of my nutrition clients and a fellow Vagus Fitness coach Jenelle Thompson. Jenelle is a great trainer and if you want your butt kicked I suggest trying one of her classes. Jenelle kindly gave us her LARA bar recipe. This recipe can be adapted very easily, by adding lemon zest, vanilla bean, cacao nibs, goji berries and other dried fruit like apricots, cranberries or raisins. Thanks Jenelle!

Ingredients:
1.5 cups raw cashews
1 tsp of sea salt or kosher salt
1 cup pitted dates
3 tbsp mini dark chocolate chips
Add cashews and salt into a food processor and process the until the cashew crumbs are small little chunks (about 3-4 sec)

 Add in the pitted dates and process until the mixture comes together. You may need to soak the dates before hand for 10 min or so before processing them. Pat dry to soak up and excess water (too much water will make the mixture too soft). Mix until the mixture becomes soft and easily malleable.  I added 1 tsp of water because it was too crumbly. Lastly stir in the mini chocolate chips.

Line an a square glass or pan with parchment paper. Scoop mixture into pan and smooth out with hand until it’s level. The more you pack it down the better the bars will hold together.

Freeze for at least 15 minutes and then slice into bars. It made about 6 bars out of the mixture. I had one to taste but the rest went into my freezer for on the go snacks. I plan on only have one every 2 days just because the bar is practically all cashew

ps. Stacey has cautioned me about eating too many nuts and seeds just because of how easily I can consume large amounts of them (without knowing it!)  which can then lead to unwanted weight gain. I would take her advice and do the same.