So about a couple months ago I had my first visit with a naturopath. I decided to go for a few reasons. #1 – was to try and help me with my sinus problems. I had sinus sugary 5 years ago to try and put a stop to all of the infections but a year ago I was told I would have to have the surgery again…and I just don’t have the time. Because of this I had hoped that seeing a naturopath may be a good place to begin my search for a happier head without the surgery and constant rounds of antibiotics. #2 – I am always tired. I have been tired my whole life – it’s not just because I’m a new mom. Ever since I can remember napping has been one of my fave things to do…for example when I was little girl and supposed to be doing homework I would open my books and use them as a pillow.. or when Danie and I had friends over and we would be playing house we would often add to the story ” nap time ” hoping that our friends would actually sleep, so we could too. To try and get to the bottom of things my naturopath decided to do an allergy test where they take a bit of your blood and send it off to a lab and in 3 weeks you end up with a very detailed list of your body’s intolerances, from mild to severe. I was expecting to find out I had to cut out dairy but oh no, it had to be my favourite thing in the world…SUGAR – or to be more precise cane sugar. So I now have the privilege of having to cut out cane sugar for the next 6 months. Because of this you will notice a lot of experimenting with new sweeteners in my attempt to keep living the sweet life and these granola bars are sweet! I hope you like them as much as I do.

These are perfect for when you are craving something chocolatey sweet…without the guilt. No refined sugar added!

Take all dry ingredients and mix together. Take all wet ingredients and mix together in a small sauce pan over med heat until melted and combined.

Now mix wet and dry ingredients together.

Grease pan. Spread the mixture out in a baking pan and press it down to flatten.

Bake at 325 for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Once cooled, dump pan upside down on a large cutting board and cut into bars.

• 1 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 1 cup (mixture of) chopped almonds,pumpkin seeds and walnuts
• 1/4 cup agave nectar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1/3 cup unsweetened carob chips
• 3/4 cup organic sugar free peanut butter
• 1/2 cup apple butter
• 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 4 tbl unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tbl vanilla