Tis the season to be…_______________
- sharing
- caring
- giving
- thankful
Well at least that’s what we’re supposed to be doing. Oh and I’d like to add baking, crockpot Chili cooking, and adding cranberry to just about everything.
I haven’t been slacking on on my Sherpa skills, but I have slacking elsewhere. Ahem…. giving time. Let me explain.
I enjoy giving gifts, making a meal for a family, and baking treats for others, but I often justify it for quality time with others. EEK! This is especially true during the holidays when things get extra busy (unnecessary busyness).
So I want to me you a deal. It’s a deal that can hold me accountable and maybe you too?? I’ll give away some great holiday goodies and a special healthy bites recipe. But you have to find the time to share them (if you win) or make the recipe with someone else that you want to give more quality time to. And I’m not talking about the 5 minute drop off at someone’s house or leave a note on the package saying happy holidays. I’m saying have a friend of family member over for coffee (share the healthy bites or larabars) , invite a niece/nephew/child to come help you bake, roll these bites (trust me, kids love making Healthy Bites).
Or surprise your spouse at work with a healthy snack and a mental break from their day to day routine.
I’m doing this because I need to work on it too. Yes I have been known to hibernate in my kitchen during the holidays (guilty), but there’s only so much sugar coated holiday cheer one can make. 
Boy do I sound like a Hallmark card now or what? Okay, now for the sharing/giving part.
Sharing—> This recipe. It taste like pie, I promise!
[print_this] Apricot Mac Nut Cinnamon Crisp Bites
Ingredients:
· 2/3 cup GF Cereal ( I used attune foods new quinoa cereal)
· ¼ cup raw mac nut halves (to make nut free, substitute pumpkin or sunflower seed)
· ¼ cup crushed banana chips
· ½ heaping cup of organic apricots
· ¼ cup coconut flour
· 40 grams Vanilla protein (Vegan or Whey)
· 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
· ½ tsp butter extract (optional)
· ½ tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean
· 1/3 cup almond butter or sunflower seed butter (nut free)
· ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
· Dash of sea salt
Directions:
Grind apricots, cereal, nuts, and cereal in blender or food processor. Transfer to bowl. Mix in your nut/seed butter, honey, extracts, GF flours, and banana chips. Mix thoroughly. Then add in your remaining spices. Mix again with hands then roll into bite size balls. Place on cookie sheet then freeze for 30 minutes. Transfer bites into plastic bag and sprinkle with more vanilla protein and cinnamon. Shake the bag to coat all bites and then store in freezer or fridge for up to 6 weeks.
Makes 27-28 bites/balls
(Nutrition– around 60 calories per bite, 7 carbs, 1.5 grams fiber, and 2 grams protein) [/print_this]
Giving—-> New Holiday flavors from Larabar!!
Open to US residents only.
And just in case you don’t win, you can find the seasonal larabars at natural food stores and traditional groceries – I’ve heard that a lot of Whole Foods have them, as well as stores within the Kroger chain. They are now available on their online store, too!
okay, gotta go make some time.
Cheers!
Corny Cotter
this is great !
Quality time is the best…I would love to! 🙂 Too bad Texas is far away…
Definitely love pumpkin 🙂
Pumpkin is the best holiday flavor ever! Gingerbread is a close second. Thanks for the apricot mac nut recipe!
Definitely a pumpkin-lover at heart! Favorite holiday flavor for sure! Favorite finds this year have been the ice cream and coffee creamer 🙂 And as for quality time, of course! I have recently found a new running partner, and I would love to spend some quality time with her outside of just running…what better way to do it than sharing something healthy together! 🙂
thanks for all your wonderful posts!
Pumpkin spice!
definitely love gingerbread best this time of year!
Apple crisp! Or chex mix
i love pumpkin anything! but i was intrigued by this snickerdoodle flavor.. not as easy to recreate to a tee in anything homemade~
quality time…of course! It gets hard as this is the time school starts on that whole “finals crunch” but that’s all the more reason for carving out quality time!
Gingerbread is the greatest!
This is simply great. Now if only I can live in the U.S. and roll out with you 😉
My fave holiday flavor is pumpkin! But anything minty is a close second.
yay! a new healthy bites recipe 😀 i love the flavors in this one. and even though i don’t qualify for the giveaway, i still feel like a winner 😛 thanks for sharing x
oh i love you friend! You are amazing! <3
Pumpkin Pie… my favorite Thanksgiving Day flavor… (Lara)Bar none. Tried to make that into a clever phrase, doesn’t quite work. But it has to be my pumpkin pie. Made with canned pumpkin and homemade vodka pie crust. Last week my hubby thought he’d be nice and buy a pumpkin pie for me. From the grocery store! Horror! I did let him know I appreciated the thought.
I adore pumpkin. Great Socrates quote!
Yes for quality time!
Pumpkin is my favorite!
Yum! I didn’t know Larabar made seasonal flavors! I will have to keep my eyes out for them! The ginger in the pumpkin pie flavor would be lovely.
I would definitely take you up on that offer!
My favorite holiday treat is pie!!
Favourite taste of the holidays is pumpkin, far and away. I have an eternal weakness for it. And as for taking time for myself, I know how you feel. I work full time and am taking grad school part time. Running the WDW marathon in January is how I will be taking time for myself soon!
oh friend, I LOVE this idea!! Love love it. and need to be called to the carpet for doing the same thign. I need to make time. more of it, and lots of it. I’m in 🙂 XO
My goal is to spend more quality time with my kids at dinner time.
I have tried them both. Love, love the snicker doodle.
Oooo this time of year calls for Snickerdoodle flavor, for sure! Yum yum!
Our quality time will include less TV, and more outdoor walks to look at holiday lights!
Definitely pumpkin spice!
Of COURSE I will take you up on the deal! I haven’t seen my family in 11 months and I will be spending every single second with them (and my home-town, high-school friends) when I go home for 10 days next weekend! This is the perfect way to introduce them to why I love healthy, flavorful, delicious eating. And why I love blogging!
Favorite holiday flavor: chocolate peppermint. Does that count as one flavor? Also, that should be a year-round flavor in my opinion.
Peppermint and chocolate! Also gingerbread 🙂
Gingerbread!
I will make some time!
pumpkin pie – oh my 🙂
My favorite Holiday flavor is Peppermint!
Yes, all in for quality time!
My favorite flavor is gingerbread for sure!
My favorite holiday flavor is a tie between peppermint and pumpkin!
Omg, I had no idea they had come out with these flavors! I remember years ago trying to make my own pumpkin pie Larabars…sadly it was not a success! And anything cinnamon is good in my book!
I hear ya on the time…I get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life sometimes that I can let months go by without spending time with the people I care about the most. BUT I’m in the process of changing that! My besties and I have gotten together THREE times in the last three months and I made a “date” with my mama to talk Thanksgiving things next week! 😀
My favorite holiday flavors are pumpkin and apple in the fall, but in winter I’m all about cranberries, molasses, and snickerdoodle!!!
All sound delish! Your recipe looks like it rivals the Lara Bar!!! Yum!!! I love Christmas but Thanksgiving is really a very special holiday I think we all need!!!!
Definitely PUMPKIN!
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I always try to set a good amount of time aside for friends and family during the holiday season!
pumpkin is my fave flavor!
Love the idea of focusing on more quality time! We try to do this at least on the weekends but during the week get so busy. For me, it’s important to remember to get in some good quality time with friends not just my family. After all, they really are family too 🙂 Oh and a favorite holiday flavor during the fall is pumpkin Christmas is peppermint 🙂
I can’t choose a favorite flavor! Tie between gingerbread and chocolate peppermint. 🙂
My quality time will be playing boardgames with family and baking yummy holiday treats!
I love anything with pumpkin!! But I would love to try the new snicker doodle larabar.
Quality time is the best time!! Especially during the Holidays!!
I pumpkin and snickerdoodle!!
I love gingerbread and peppermint mocha as holiday flavors, although I am a sucker for pumpkin, too!
Pumpkin
gingerbread! i didn’t know how much i liked it until i tried the starbucks gingerbread frapp. yes i know so bad for me, but tasted sooo good.
Heck yes! I’ve been looking everywhere for these and haven’t found any yet! 🙁
Our quality time will be cooking together and family game nights!
My favorite holiday flavor is pumpkin! I love it year-round, but when it is pumpkin season I am so happy!!
I love peppermint for the holiday season!
Quality time is most certainly a priority for me! Thank you for the support!
Such a good reminder 🙂
I’ve never heard of the holiday Larabars before, but they sound delicious!
Pumpkin!
Our quality time will be doing more things together that don’t involve electronics…and do involve traditions and making fun memories.
I use to hate pumpkin but is growing on me. Would LOVE to try both flavors!
My favorite baking is done with my niece, so yes, challenge accepted!
Favorite fall flavor is molasses! I’d say cinnamon or ginger, but those are year-round flavors for me. 😀
Oops! Just read what I need to comment about! Pumpkin and gingerbread are my favorite! And yes to quality time commitment!
Those healthy bites look amazing! I have searched every store around me and still no seasonal Larabars….still hoping! Need to try them!
Pumpkin closely followed by gingerbread are two of my favorite seasonal flavors. Yum!
yum yum yum I think I will make these bites!
Nothing beats a recipe which doesn’t involve the oven! Looks great- except for the banana chips…bad experiences!
I really cannot wait for the healthy bite recipe you have planned to post- After reading the amazing reviews all through the blogs!
Yes definitely will take you up on quality time for family! Thanks for sharing!
Pumpkin is my favorite holiday flavor!
Eggnog flavored coffee
This really is the season to slow down and appreciate the small things – family and health especially. I was a huge fan of the pumpkin larabar!
Also, in terms of the quality time, I think it’s truly important to keep focused on the season in terms of thankful thoughts and family (at least for me). It’s too easy to get caught up with consumerism and spending and greed. Lots to be thankful for these days!
And yes, I will take you up on your quality time challenge. Even if I don’t win anything I think it is a wonderful idea.
I would love to get the seasonal flavors – pumpkin anything for me! They haven’t shown up in stores here yet.
The LARABARS sound amazing!!
Ah, time. I truly need to do the same thing, slow down, and spend time with my loved ones. Without a computer in front of me!
I love nutmeg and cinnamon during the holiday season, so I’m a fan of anything I can use it in including pumpkin pie and (non) eggnog.
Thanks for the recipe. I appreciate that it is vegan as well as gluten free.
Tis the Season to be “Thankul”. Everyday with my Mother is a Gift.
Especialy with chocolate chip cookies. They’re the best at Christmas time.
As a current nutrition Food Management major, my heart is in the kitchen. I love to create, play, and then share with others as a way of expressing my love or thankfulness. Just recently I baked Gluten-free Pumpkin Apple chunk Muffins for my roommate’s birthday. I also made cupcakes for one of my coworkers who has been having an off week. If I win, I will gladly find the time to share your recipes or make them with someone else that I want to give more quality time to. 🙂
It is my hope to bless others this holiday season as much as you’ve blessed me with your insight, wisdom, and creative cooking.
God bless Corny Cotter 😉
I came down with a “terrible” pumpkin fever around mid-September this year and it has yet to fade! Looks as though I’ll be “sick” all winter 😉 and I’m okay with that! =P
I pinned it 🙂
YAY!!! LOVE these healthy bite recipes! Question, can I substitute and use whole wheat flour instead?
sure can! not sure how it would taste though. maybe add extra vanilla or cinnamon to even out
Those bites look quite fabulous! As do the Gingerbread bars – but not as much, 🙂
Pumpkin and gingerbread!
I always love pumpkin, but gingerbread is probably my favorite next in line. And I love this idea – I accept the challenge! 🙂
I can’t wait to go home for thanksgiving (9 days) and spend a lot of time with my boyfriend of 2.5 years (distance in college) and with my mom! They are my two favorite people!
Favorite holiday flavor is pumpkin spice and gingerbread!! Both so good
and yes, i’m all about quality time with family! i need to be better about making quality time with friends more of a priority, too.
my favorite holiday flavor is pumpkin… but i love gingerbread, as well! =)
pumpkin is a definite favorite fall flavor of mine, but anything with cinnamon always wins! though.. i’m not sure if cinnamon is a flavor, since it’s a spice? 😀
Ohhhhhhhh Pumpkin Pie I have searched the land for you around me! I would love to try this flavor!
Ohhh a snickerdoodle larabar?! WANT!
Take time for TIME???? Yes, ma’am…I most certainly will be doing this 🙂
I CANNOT WAIT UNTILLLLLLLLLL the XMAS music starts blaring! I may just find the holiday station on my XM Radio today! 🙂 You have inspired me! Tis the season to be JOLLY… FAAA LA LA LA LLAAA LA LA LA L LA!!! You should be happy that I cannot record audio and post it to this reply… That would NOT be pleasant. Although…. Maybe I should make a video 😉
oh you so should!
I’m currently reading “May Cause Miracles” so your quality time is right up my alley with “The Course”!
I need to try the Snickerdoodle larabar! I’ve been asking James when Natural Grocers will get it, and I’m done waiting. Whole Foods field trip for lunch break today!
james needs to get on that! haha
I’m ALL about quality time – it’s my top love language!
If cinnamon counts as a “holiday flavor”, that’s my favorite! 🙂
I will definitely take you up on this challenge you little corny cotter! 😉
I love sugar cookies and everything pumpkin, of course!
I love both Pumpkin Pie Flavor and Gingerbread, but cannot stand anything Eggnog!
Hands down, my favorite holiday flavor it PUMPKIN!!!!!
Will definitely be focusing on quality time during the holidays, we’ve had too much hustle and bustle around our house lately
I haven’t tried any of the seasonal ones but the snickerdoodle sounds amazing!
I love this! To celebrate the holidays with my nieces and nephews, I make gluten/dairy free sugar cookies and invite them to spend the afternoon decorating them with me. We then have dinner and spend time together. It’s so much more than any gift we could wrap up!
Yum! Always a fan of your recipes, Lindsay. Pumpkin is necessary now that it’s the Fall with Winter and the holidays quickly approaching! I’m all about the snickerdoodle flavor but haven’t had any success finding the pumpkin pie one 🙁 Time is such an underused “tool”. I mean we all have the same 24 hours, it’s how you spend them. It’s whether or not your doing what your passionate about and being productive.
OMG the snickerdoodle is amazzzing.
Would love to try those holiday Larabars! Yum!
My favorite holiday flavor is most definitely pumpkin!!
Of course I will!… We will sit around drinking coffee & eating those delicious healthy bites that I now have the recipe for!!!
Corny Cotter is the best haha…Just throwing that out there! Gingerbread Please…MmM- Molasses!
Yes to quality time!
Pumpkin is my favorite holiday flavor!
q-time? i’m all in!
Quality time!! I am excited for Thanksgiving, not just for the holiday but because it means almost a week just spending time with family.
And GINGERBREAD…yum!
YUM YUM YUM! This weekend I wanna get caught up on food prep. So I am definitely making Chilli and something pumpkin-esque
I love pumpkin anything, so pumpkin pie!
pumpkin pie please!
I totally plan on you up on the “quality time” deal. After we move, since I won’t have a job lined up right away, I plan on stopping by my husband’s office and bringing in treats for everyone!
I have yet to find the snickerdoodle one! Must. Seek. It. Out.
I love pumpkin and gingerbread 🙂
I love this idea! And gingerbread has to top my list during the holidays…
Oh and my favorite holiday flavor would have to be pumpkin pie! I love all things pumpkin!
Molasses & gingerbread are my fav holiday flavors!!!
Eating Disorders & A Cry for Help http://truth2beingfit.com/2013/11/12/eating-disorders–a-cry-for-help.aspx
First, I love that recipe! I cannot wait to have some time to make it! Although, I think they would be better if you came to my kitchen and made them! 🙂
Second, I am OBSESSED with Larabar (as I’m sure you know) and love this giveaway! I haven’t seen their new seasonal flavors in stores yet and am DYING to try them!
And lastly, I am 100% on board for making time for…time! So important these days!
Hugs, friend! xoxo
I WILL SHARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dying to try the snickerdoodle!
Yes, I will take you up on the challenge! Hallmark cards are great, it’s not a bad thing to sound like one!
My favorite holiday flavor is pumpkin by far!
Pumpkin is definitely my favorite holiday flavor, with gingerbread as a close second.
My favorite holiday flavors are pumpkin followed by peppermint, respectively. I am guilty of being in the kitchen 24/7 too… I will make a point to get my booty out of there!!
Love this challenge! I will definitely take you up on it! I love making yummy food for others all the time but especially around this time of year. My mom always had a tradition of baking and decorating all different kinds of cookies then we would give an assortment to all our neighbors. It’s something I now do every Christmas.
Is chocolate a holiday flavor? : ) I do love gingerbread though!
the obvious…pumpkin!
I will absolutely take you up on this! There’s nothing I love more than sharing yummy food with others 🙂
goodness gracious is peanut butter a holiday flavor?! ok, in all seriousness, I’m all about the punkin pie! yum yum
Great reminder of spending time with others during this season. I seem to end up baking almost every night and I love it, but you have challenged me to invite others to bake with me and I know that will be even better.
I love the quality time idea :). My husband and I like cooking together occasionally- it gives us a chance to be together and make a healthy meal, rather than just going out to a restaurant. Also, we don’t have to fight traffic!
Love this and I will for SURE agree to your deal! 🙂
I would love to try these, especially the pumpkin pie flavor. I like most anything pumpkin. That recipe sounds really tasty too- I am excited about all the Christmas/winter flavors coming out soon as well as pumpkin sticking around for awhile!
Oh my those Bites sound good! And so does your plan for time and giving. Thanks, as always, for the words of wisdom during a busy season!
anything pumpkin i love! and snickerdoodle!
I will try and share your healthy bites if I dont eat all of them first 🙂
YUM, cant wait to make these!!
i dont get enough larabars in my life!
I love sharing so of course I would take you up on it 🙂
I love anything cinnamon. I’ve been trying to find snickerdoodle larabars but I am striking out so bad!!
Sharing your Healthy Bites? I think I can do that…Just kidding. Of course I can! XOXO
Oh #cheesycotter you’re amazing! I know so many people I would share this with here in Houston…How awesome is that? Favorite flavor right now is cranberries too. Put it on everything. BAM!
I totally want my share of those larabars!
I definitely need to spend more quality time with my loved ones, and with myself. I’ve been busy busy for the past month and need a break!
My favorite holiday flavor is definitely pumpkin!
I am bad about making time too! I am def making these healthy bites! xoxo
Time is a beautiful thing to give — one of the most precious, especially in today’s busy world. This holiday season I really want to focus more on volunteering and donating to food banks and toy drives… aaaaaand load up on all the seasonal treats that show up around this time of year 😀
SNICKERDOODLE!!
Love the quality time challenge!
I tweeted!!
Favorite holiday flavor: Pumpkin!!!
Favorite seasonal flavor?! Anything pumpkin or chocolate peppermint!!
The seasonal larabar are AMAZING. I neeeed to stock up! I’d love to win this! Also, the cereal sounds amazing!!! Love recipes with so many amazing, nutritious ingredients!!!
PS: Do you know what the exact name of the new Quinoa cereal you used for the bites is?? Like I said, it sounds delicious! I’d love to pick some up!! 🙂
it’s this one, sooooo good!
http://www.attunefoods.com/products/Erewhon-Organic-Cereals/erewhon-quinoa-chia-cereal
YES! I will take time! Itz perfect since I have almost two weeks off for the holidays, so I will have no excuse NOT to take the time!
favorite holiday flavor? cliche, but,,,, PUMPKIN! 🙂
I love gingerbread for a holiday flavor!
I will definitely take you up on this “quality time” deal! Time is priceless and quality time is even more valuable!
Yes, I need to enjoy more quality time – I did just that over the weekend and it was wonderful.
Oh I love the idea of adding cranberries to the chili! Fantastic idea. I guess my favorite holiday flavors are pumpkins, winter squashes and TONS of cinnamon.
I will definitely take you up on the quality time challenge. LOVE that!
My favorite holiday flavor is mint anything!
I haven’t had these Larabar flavors before, but they both sound good. Looking forward to making some pumpkin pie flavored food this month!
Yes, I will definitely take you up on this “quality time” deal! I love this time of year, but hate the busyness of it all. This year I will SLOW DOWN and enjoy the holiday season 🙂
I love anything that is pumpkin or gingerbread flavored during this time of year!
Anything with pumpkin and loads of cinnamon!
Pinned to make this weekend 🙂
I also LOVE baking(just made cookies last night and will make more today or tomorrow) and pretty soon I’m gonna ask the youth pastor if I can steal his kiddos to make some cut-out cookies with them!
I LOVE anything that is pumpkin flavor and pretty soon it will be going bye-bye 🙁 but then I guess I’ll have to enjoy gingerbread things!!! YUMMY!
Quality time making Healthy Bites and then enjoying them with my 2 kids. Fun and yummy!
Sounds like a deal to me!!! 🙂
It’s hard to choose just one! Pumpkin pie sounds wonderful right now!
Mmmm. Gingerbread!! Love this idea!
Making Healthy Bites with loved ones sounds like a perfect holiday activity.
Of course I’d share – with some of my husbands co-workers & neighbors 🙂
I eat everything and anything that’s gingerbread flavor during the holiday season.