Oh Nuts!

Happy Tuesday y'all!

I'm pretty sure we all know what the date is today. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was in 8th grade, which to me, seems like a century ago. I like to keep things light and funny on the blog, so let me just say that I remember all of the heroes that died for our country that day, those that have died fighting for our country since then, and those heroes that are still out there, on the front lines, every day, fighting for our freedom. Thank you! Thank you for all that you do! 

Alright, remember that contest I won last week? Well, check out my Q and A session up on the Whole Foods Market Cooking website. What what? O yea! 

In other news, a couple of weeks ago, I was contacted from a rep. for the company Oh Nuts, based out of NYC, who wanted to send me my choice of samples from the sites. Ummmm...of course I was all "Heck yes I want free samples of dried fruit and nuts." Anyway, he sent me a box full of goodies, including an item that I have been wanting to try forever: Dried Peaches! Yum! Of course I wanted to get all snazzy and create a recipe using them, so bada-bing!

I put them in a recipe with a whole bunch of "good-for-you" ingredients.

Ahhh, just look at those all-natural dried peaches!

No added sugar here, people.

I gave them a whirl in the food processor. 

Then these bars get reaaaaal healthy: oats, pecans, coconut, agave, coconut oil, cinnamon, and chia seeds!

Press it out...work it out.

Ummmmmm...seriously, these bars of chock full of energy.

 Oh, and they just so happen to be like...the easiest recipe on the face of the planet...

not to mention they are gluten-free, vegan, no bake, and 

extremely tasty!

 These are absolutely perfect for taking on the go!

Big thanks to Oh Nuts! Check out their site...their products are ahmazingly scrumptious!

Peach Coconut Energy Bars (GF/V):

Ingredients:
1/2 c. raw pecans
1 c. dried peaches
1 c. unsweetened, shredded coconut
1/3 c. rolled oats (I use gluten-free)
3 T. chia seeds
2 T. melted coconut oil
2 T. agave nectar (or honey)
1/2 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. salt

Instructions:
1. Line a 8 in. square baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a food processor, pulse the pecans until roughly chopped. Set them aside in a small bowl.
3. Process the peaches in the food processor until a paste forms, about 2 minutes.
4. Add coconut, oats, chia seeds, oil, agave, cinnamon and salt and process until the mixture comes together.
5. Add the chopped pecans and pulse until well combined.
6. Put the mixture in the prepared baking pan and press it firmly into the pan.
7. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 1 hour.
8. Unmold the bars, trim the edges, and cut into rectangles or squares. Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month!

Makes 8 rectangular bars (or 16 small square bars)

MANGIA!!!