I love LARA bars! I think they are the perfect mid-morning snack (or meal 2 if you are on any of the DAMY plans). My clients share my affection for these little bars of goodness as well. They are great for many reasons: They are easy to throw in your purse when you are in a hurry, you can pack them easily for the kids, and they satisfy the sweet tooth. LARA Bars are: GLUTEN FREE, DAIRY FREE, SOY FREE, and VEGAN. These sweet pieces of heaven are made of basic natural ingredients, fruits and nuts. It doesn’t get any simpler. Each bar provides you with a great source of fiber, healthy fats and some protein. All-around they are wonderful and give you the boost of clean energy your body is craving.
 

Here I have included the recipes for some of my favorite flavours of LARA Bars. This is for anyone that feels the bars are a bit pricey or like me, has one almost daily (my husband always has at least one per day). I just can’t get over how easy they are to make. You honestly can not go wrong! You have to try to make them. You will be hooked and so will your family.

I have also included a “build your own LARA Bar section” for you to get creative and make your own LARA Bar flavor creations.

*Some of the recipes included fall more under the “treat” category (the varieties that include chocolate)  but these are defiantly a healthy treat option. The rest can be eaten daily as a mid morning snack!
 

Peanut Butter and Jam

• 1/4 cup cranberries
• 1/4 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• 1/2 cup raw peanuts
• 1 tbsp creamy natural peanut butter
• Pinch of sea salt

Place the dates and cherries in a food processor. Blend until it becomes like a paste. Transfer blended dates and cherries to a bowl.

Add the nuts to the processor and pulse until chopped fairly small (but not too much, not nut flour. You want texture). Add the nuts, along with the sea salt, to the bowl with the fruit paste. Use your fingers to knead the nuts into the paste. Next you can spread the mixture out onto a plate covered in cling wrap. Using your hands mold the mixture into individual bars. Wrap each separately in plastic wrap or in small ziplocks. It is a good idea to refrigerate the bars after making to maintain freshness and let the form set (try to let them set in the fridge for 20 minutes before you eat one).

*Some like to just roll these into ball shapes and use them as “power balls” for on the go, pop in your mouth snacking. You are free to do that as well! I know some children that prefer to have them in the ball shape. You can use a cookie cutter and get all kinds of fancy with this. I prefer just the bar shape but do what suits you and your family.
*If you find your Larabars are a bit crumby add a couple tbsp of warm water and process again.
 

**For the recipes below, follow the same instructions as above, but substitute the different ingredients and measurements. All recipes make 2-3 bars. Feel free to double the recipes to make more.
 

Blueberry Muffin

• 1/4 cup dried blueberries
• 1/4 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• ½ cup cashews
• 1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Cashew cookie

• 1/2 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• 1/2 cup whole raw unsalted cashews
• a dash of sea salt

Key Lime Pie

• 1/2 cup cashews
• 1/2 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• dash of sea salt
• Zest of 1 lime
• 1/2 tbsp lime juice
• 1/3 shredded coconut

Almond Cookie

• 1/3 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• 1/2 cup almonds
• dash of sea salt
• 1/4 tsp vanilla

Peanut Butter Cookie

• 1/2 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• 1/4 cup cashews
• 1 tbsp natural peanut butter
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup peanuts

Chocolate Coconut Macaroon

• 1/3 cup cashews
• 1/4 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• 3 tbsp dark chocolate
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut

Cherry Pie

• 1/4 cup Dried Cranberries
• 1/4 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• 1/3 cup almonds (unsalted)
• 2 tsp cinnamon

Pecan Pie

• 1/2 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 1/4 cup pecans
• 1/4 tsp vanilla

Cookie Dough

• 1/2 cup Salted Cashews
• 1/3 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
• 1 tbsp Organic Chocolate Chips

Here are the official LARA Bar flavors

• Apple Pie
• Banana Bread
• Blueberry Muffin
• Carrot Cake
• Cashew Cookie
• Cherry Pie
• Chocolate Chip Brownie
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
• Chocolate Coconut Chew
• Cinnamon Roll
• Coconut Cream Pie
• Ginger Snap
• Key Lime Pie
• Lemon Bar
• Peanut Butter & Jelly
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
• Peanut Butter Cookie
• Pecan Pie
• Tropical Fruit Tart

Feel free to get creative and make your own LARA Bars in your favorite flavors! You really can not go wrong making these little bars of goodness. Here are some ingredients for you to choose from when creating your own!
 

Build your own LARA Bar menu

When making 2-3 bars use ½ cup of nuts and/or seeds on their own or in combination.
 

Nuts and Seeds you can use:

• Pumpkin seeds
• Peanuts
• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Pecans
• Cashews
• Pistachios

Base Pastes:

When making 2-3 bars use ½ cup of the dried fruit on their own or in combination (* I would always suggest to use some dates to make sure you achieve the desired consistency.

• Dates
• Figs
• Raisins
• Dried Cranberries
• Dried Apricots
• Dried Blueberries
• Dried pineapple
• Dried Papaya
• Prunes
• Dried apple

Flavorings and Extras:

When making 2-3 bars use ½ tsp of extracts, a teaspoon or so of the spices and 1 tbsp of the zests and juice depending on how much flavor your would like.

• Shredded Coconut
• Ground Flax
• Lime Zest and Juice
• Lemon Zest and Juice
• Orange Zest and Juice
• Vanilla Extract
• Almond Extract
• Ginger Spice
• Cinnamon
• Pumpkin Pie Spice
• Dark Chocolate (for the treat variety)
• Mint Extract
• Coco Powder
• Sea Salt
• Natural Peanut Butter

 
Let me know what you create with this “build your own LARA Bar” menu. I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

If you love Larabars you will love these Protein Balls, Bars and Desserts!

Protein Balls, Bars and Muffins
Healthy Desserts

 
***It was a very special day here at DAMY Health. Our Lifetime membership awards were given out to 5 very special DAMY Health Program Members. Once a year we award 5 ladies that have been with us a long time and represent what DAMY is all about. They stuck to their goals, celebrated others success and embody such a wonderful attitude! Congrats again ladies and thank you for being such amazing ambassadors for the DAMY Health Programs.
 

What is your favorite mid-morning snack?

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