DIY Granola Bars

I love granola bars! However, most store-bought granola bars contain more soy than I would like for myself and my family to consume. After searching for a recipe that works for me, I finally found one (at kneadtocook.com). They taste delish - a little crumbly - but delish. Hopefully I can work with them and they won't crumble so much in the future. I did add some chocolate chips...mainly because I love chocolate :). Give them a try yourself! Find the recipe below!

Ingredients

• 1 heaping cup of dates
• 1 cup of whole almonds, raw
• 1 1/3 cup of rolled oats
• 1/8 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 cup of almond butter (or whatever nut butter you prefer)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

In your food processor, add the pitted dates and process for about 30-45 seconds or until they break down and then roll up into a large ball. Remove and place in your stand mixer with the paddle attached. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Ona baking sheet with sides, add the oats (one side) and your almonds (on the other). Bake for 10-12 minutes or until just toasted. Give the almonds a chance to cool down and then roughly chop them. Add the oats and nuts to your dates in the stand mixer bowl. Add the sea salt. Mix until combined.

On the stovetop in a small sauce pan, add the nut butter, vanilla, and syrup over low heat and whisk until melted and smooth. Pour over the oat mixture and blend again until well coated. Add your additional toppings here. I used chocolate chips!

Buffalo Chicken Wraps

I am a huge lover of Buffalo Wild Wings' *Buffalo Ranch Chicken Wrap* - - it is FANTASTIC. But, while enjoy it so much, let's be real. I can't always spend $13 on just myself for a meal. It's a great treat, but not realistic. So, I decided to check out some recipes that will help me make my favorite meal from home! Below is the recipe for the shredded buffalo chicken I used in the wrap (found at skinnytaste.com). I used whole wheat wraps, but you can cut calories and use lettuce bowls if you wish! I used my own toppings in addition to the chicken, which were

• lettuce
• tomato
• cheese
• buffalo sauce
• ranch

Remember to go easy on the buffalo sauce and the ranch. While they taste great, they are super high in calories.I served my wrap with some raw carrots and "buffalo chips" - my version of Buffalo Wild Wings' buffalo chips. You will find the recipe for my homemade buffalo chips below!

Buffalo Shredded Chicken

Ingredients

• 24 oz boneless skinless chicken breast
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic
• 16 oz fat free low sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup hot cayenne pepper sauce or your favorite buffalo sauce

Directions

In crock pot, combine chicken, onions, garlic and broth (enough to cover your chicken, use water if the can of broth isn't enough). Cover and cook on high 4 hours. Remove the chicken from the pot, reserver 1/2 cup broth and discard the rest. Shred the chicken with two forks, return to the slow cooker with 1/2 cup broth and the hot sauce and set on high for an additional 30 minutes. 

"Buffalo Chips"

Ingredients

• 3-4 red potatoes
• 1 TBSP Olive Oil
• dash of sea salt

Directions

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees. Slice potatoes thinly - about 1/4" thick. Place in mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil and stir until all the potato slices are coated. Add the dash of salt. Stir once more. Place on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Cook for approximately 30 minutes.

**If you have a larger family and use more potatoes than the recipe calls for, consider cooking slightly longer than 30 minutes. 

ENJOY!!