Simple Homemade Lara Bars

I first tried Lara Bars at a health show a couple of years ago. At one of the booths they were giving away free samples of the different flavors available. I loved that there were only a few ingredients on the package and that the ingredients were things that I can actually pronounce. Not any additives that are 20 letters long like "glyceryl lacto esters of fatty acids". Like, what in the world is that?!!

Lara Bars can be a little pricey per bar. The best price I have found is at our local Costco. They sell them for $16.69 for 18 bars, which works out to $0.93/bar. Not bad.

Not to suddenly change the subject (I am going somewhere with this), but I am a Pinterest addict (and can spend way too much valuable time on there).

I saw a pin for making your own Lara Bars and searched on different recipes for making your own. I pinned a bunch to my Paleo - Treats board and my Healthy Snacks board.

I wanted a really basic recipe to try, nothing fancy schmancy at first. I found the one. So I gave it a go.

First I placed all the ingredients in the bowl of my food processor: walnuts, raisins, and dates.

I then processed everything for about 30 seconds.

Then I continued processing for about 1-2 minutes.

I spread the mixture into an 8x8 pyrex dish covered with parchment paper. I initially used a knife,
but then covered my hand in a ziploc sandwich bag and flattened out the mixture.

I decided to cut them into smaller squares, then the typical Lara Bar rectangle.

They are SO good! And with only 3 ingredients. Next time I am going to experiment with other
things like coconut, hemp seeds, and chocolate chips.

Simple Homemade Lara Bars
1 cup walnuts
1 cup raisins
1 cup dates

Place the walnuts, raisins, and dates in the bowl of your food processor.

Process all the ingredients for 30 seconds. Scrape the bowl. Continue processing for another 1-2 minutes until a large clump (ball) is formed.

Place the ball onto a lined 8x8 dish. Spread the mixture with a knife, then use a sandwich bag or plastic wrap covered hand to flatten the mixture evenly in the pan.

Cover and chill for about an hour or overnight. Cut into squares or bars. Enjoy!

Recipe adapted slightly from Styles Group Fitness

November Photo a Day

I first noticed the Photo a Day series hosted by Fat Mum Slim a while back via my friend's Instagram feed. Even though I take a lot of photos with my iPhone and dSLR, I thought to commit to a photo a day with a particular theme on that day seemed intimidating. But for November's challenge I decided to just go for it.

I am going to be posting to my Instagram feed with the #FMSphotoaday hashtag. Every 6 days, I will share a compilation of photos here, on my blog.

This is the list for November. Can't wait!

Friday Etsy Favorites

Today's Friday Etsy Favorites feature some beautiful Fall themed necklaces. Each one of these would be the perfect way to accessorize for your outfit.

Orange Red Circle Fall Necklace
by Triptophonic Studios

Tiny Acorn Necklace
by Simple Squirrel

Autumn Leaves Necklace
by Emily Made Me

Gold Leaf Necklace
by Pink Twig

Arrows Fall Necklace
by cartonBois

Copper Pendant Necklace
by Full Moon Jewellery

Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Bars

I made these bars for the first time yesterday. They were SO easy to make and the good thing about them is that they are no bake. The only 'cooking' required was on the stove top to melt together all of the 'binding' ingredients.

Although I am not eating any oats right now, I had to give these a taste test just to make sure that they meet the standards to feed my boys. :) Oh, were they ever good! I could have eaten more than one, but I only had the one. Willpower, I tell you! :)

These are all of the ingredients that I used in one shot.

The first step is to melt the peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil in a pot.

Next add the oats, coconut, chocolate chips, and vanilla to the pot.

Then stir until all the ingredients are well blended and the chocolate is completely melted.

Spread into a prepared 9x13 pan. I lined the pan with parchment paper.
Boy, I love parchment paper! It really makes clean up so quick and easy.
Next, place the pan in the refrigerator to chill.

Once the pan is cooled and hardened, cut into bars and enjoy!
These can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Bars
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup coconut oil (you could also substitute butter)
2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup shredded coconut
1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a pot, melt the peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil over medium-low heat, stirring constantly.

Once the peanut butter mixture is melted together, remove the pot from the heat and add in the oats, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, and vanilla. Stir everything together until well blended and the chocolate is completely melted.

Spread into a greased 9×13 pan, lined with parchment paper. Cover and cool in the fridge.

When the mixture has cooled and hardened, cut into bars and enjoy. The leftovers can then be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

Recipe adapted slightly from Money Saving Mom

Friday Etsy Favorites

From as far back as I remember, I have always adored plush toys. I love the ones featured in this post and I love the fact that they are handmade. Feast your eyes on this amazing selection of quality and cuteness. I am literally giddy with happiness looking at these!

Little Mouse Traveling Buddy
by Who Is Pisces

Needle Felted Fox
by 13 Chestnuts

Milu - Bunny Plush Toy
by Knitting Dreams

Pogo Bear
by Pogo Shop

Hand Knitted Stuffed Owl
by Woodsy Wools

Thomasina - Knitted Siamese Cat
by Auntie Shrews

The Two Day Sale is Now Live on Etsy!

Happy Thanksgiving Day from Canada!

At my mateo & tobias Etsy shop, all of my Printables and Instant Downloads are on sale!

Don't miss this great opportunity to pick up some wall art to decorate your home or to give as gifts!

Have a wonderful day!

A Two Day Sale Coming Soon!

Starting Monday, I will be having a 2-day sale on my Printables and Instant Downloads. I will be adding more listings from now until then. Stay tuned for more information...!

Friday Etsy Favorites and a Free Printable

Thanksgiving this year in Canada is this coming Monday. I have so much to be grateful for. Not only for my family and my friends, but that I have food to eat, clothes to wear, a shelter over my head, running water, electricity...the list could go on and on. God has truly blessed me and for that I am truly thankful.

I am loving today's Friday Etsy Favorites. A wonderful way to express gratitude in all that we are thankful for.

I Am Grateful Spoons
by The Bakers Confections

Thanksgiving Sign
by Sassy Talk

Give Thanks Banner
by Paramore Art Works

Woodland Wreath
by Woolcrazy

Grateful Necklace
by Pure Rox Faith

________________________________________________________________________________________________

And a FREEBIE for you!

I designed a "Give Thanks" 8X10 art print absolutely free for you to download (for PERSONAL USE only).

To be in the know of when I offer more free, downloadable art, please "Like" my Facebook page and/or follow me on Twitter.

You can download the "Give Thanks" art print here.

I would love to see a photo of how you display your art print. You can either email me, post a photo on the wall of my Facebook page or tweet your picture to @mateoandtobias.

Enjoy!

Where Does the Time Go?

Seriously, where does the time go? Summer was a blur. The kids have been back to school for a month. It's already October. And it's 2 1/2 months until Christmas. I really do think that the older you get, the faster the time goes by. Seriously!

I was really sad for school to begin this year. My youngest started Kindergarten. All.Day.Kindergarten. My baby is growing up. It was SO hard the first couple of weeks when he was at school. I was so used to having him beside me as my "little sidekick". He was literally right by my side and loved to help me garden, water my plants, wash the car, and cook and bake. He also loved going shopping, building Lego together, sitting on the couch reading books, and giving me endless hugs and kisses. ♥ I am and will miss our alone time together.

But he was ready to go. He's been wanting to go. When I dropped him off for his first full day of school my heart broke and I was in tears. But slowly, through the weeks, I have adjusted. He is loving Kindergarten and has already made a best friend. That makes my Mama heart SO happy.

Lately, I have been filling my days with my Etsy shop. I am creating new wall prints and a line of Printables where a digital file is emailed for you to print at home or at a photo lab. A great way to add a little affordable art to you decor.

And of course, doing lots of laundry (there's always endless piles) and cleaning (the bathrooms are done faithfully every week now, there is nothing like the feeling of taking a shower in a sparkling clean bathroom) are always on the agenda.

I also plan and create more elaborate homemade meals. For the last couple of months, our family has adopted a healthier eating habit of no processed food. The husband and I have not had any refined sugar...the only sweetener that I have had is a few drops of liquid stevia in my smoothie or honey/maple syrup in the paleo granola that I make. And it has been good. Really good. But I will write about more on that in a future post. :)

I am also planning on blogging a lot more. I have really missed it.

And a post isn't complete without a picture. I could never get tired of this view.