Health bars, granola bars, oat bars…we try, but what are we really buying? Often times, we are buying a way fattier version of what we think, and might have been better off with a bag of potato chips!  Reminds me of Mean Girls, when Lindsay Lohan’s character gives Regina the “Caltine” bars that were supposed to taste amazing and help her burn calories and lose weight. Remember this? They were 1000 calories each!  Poor thing!

Know exactly what ingredients are in your bars! Make them yourself in minutes! And refrigerate!
Know exactly what ingredients are in your bars! Make them yourself in minutes! And refrigerate!

So lets talk peanut butter!  High in fat, but a staple protein source for athletes,  vegetarians, and many others!  Delicious and creamy, a definite staple for my kids!  What if you could trim the fat down by 85%? Have you heard of PB2? PB2 is a powder form of dry roasted peanuts that have been stripped of extra fats.

Pile creamy PB2 almond milk homemade peanut butter on fruits and veggies for a fresh, fabulous snack!
Pile creamy PB2 homemade peanut butter on fruits and veggies for a fresh, fabulous snack! Just add almond milk and Mix!

Some common everyday uses:

Add almond milk and make a homemade peanut butter!

Add to smoothies and protein shakes for flavor!

Bake with it, substitute PB2 when making homemade health bars instead of regular peanut butter!
Read more!! http://www.bellplantation.com/nutrition

Did I mention there is also PB2 chocolate? Yes, chocolate peanut butter. Mmmmmmm…

I whipped up my own, no bake, easy health bars using healthy ingredients in my pantry!

Easy No Bake Health Bars With Chia Seeds and PB2

Ingredients:

2 cups oats
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup shredded coconut flakes
1/3 cup PB2
(2 cups of oats and 2 cups of any other mixable dry ingredients you would like. Try dried fruits, nuts, chocolate chips, etc.)

Directions:

Heat Honey and Coconut oil in a small saucepan.

Get creative! Substitute any dry ingredients your family enjoys!
Get creative! Substitute 2 cups of any dry, healthy ingredients your family enjoys!

Add all other ingredients and coat. DO NOT COOK , just warm.
(If adding chocolate chips, you need to cool the mixture before adding or they will melt!)
Press into the bottom of a glass 9X13 pan or for 1/2 recipe 8X8 dish cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.

Cut the recipe in half if you want to bake approx. 6 -4inch bars! Press into 8x8 dish!
Cut the recipe in half if you want to bake approx. 6 -4inch bars! Press into 8×8 dish!

Cut into bars or spoon onto yogurt!

Enjoy!!

Ciao!