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. 
So let’s make this deal. Agree to take time for….TIME!
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
