I think we probably all get magazines, yes? And invariably there’s a section of a couple of recipes. Some look pretty tempting, some not so much. One of my favorite mags is ‘Health’, yep that’s it, just ‘Health’. It runs somewhere between the ‘Shape’ magazine, minus the 17 year old spandex clad models, and ‘Whole Living’, that’s filled with recipes for detoxing your entire existence.

Late this summer I tried out an energy bar recipe in ‘Health’ and couldn’t believe how good it tasted for the calories and fat spent! Yummy! And when baked looked exactly like their photo! I’ve been making them for after-school snacks and post workout boosts off and on for months now, and my guys love them. And as you know I just can’t leave it alone, so this time I lightened it up a tad. I took them along on a recent day out with the K & K show (that would be Kathy & Kathryn) to Renningers Antique Extravaganza. A huge day long romp in junk land! Who-hoo! After a 2 hour ride and 2 cups of coffee, we were a bit peckish at about 10am so I pulled these jems from my little bag-o-tricks to fuel my friends shopping adventures. I was sure Kathy would like them, there is chocolate involved. But, was really pleased when I got the thumbs up from Kathryn, our resident health food connoisseur. Happy and healthy – what’s not to love about that! Wanna know how I did it? I thought you’d never ask!

Step 1: Gather those goodies.

Step 2: Mix the Flour, soda, and cinnamon. I another bigger bowl combine the peanut butter, Whey-Lo, molasses, and coconut oil. Then add in the eggs and vanilla. Then add the flour mixture into the wet and give it a stir. Then add in the oats, cranberries, peanuts, and chocolate chips. The original called for dividing the chips, melting half and drizzling it over the completed bars – but I’m just too lazy for that these days!

Step 3: You did pre-heat that oven to 350 right? No, well go do it and get out your 11×13 dish and spray with a little non-stick. Now spread the goodness in the pan/dish and and push it down nicely. Get all the edges too. Bake them about 20-25 min.

Step 4: Yummy! Make sure they’re very cool before cutting.

Step 5: See, soooo easy. Cut into 24 squares and there you go.

 Finale: Here they are all wrapped up for my day away – have coffee, will travel.

These really do have a between-meal holding power, and with chocolate. Must I say more!? Oh, how healthy are they? Well, the recipe analyzer says each one is a mere 124 cal/7.4g fat … but useable fat. With all the traditionally fattening things in this bar it should be way worse! Eggs, Peanut Butter AND Peanuts….really? No, really – try it, you’ll thank me.