Boot camp is officially over. It’s a bittersweet ending. Sweet because I won’t have to wake up at 5:07 every morning anymore, but bitter because I loved the atmosphere for working out. Sadly, I can’t afford to continue boot camping on a long-term basis.
Even though I can’t continue, it was just the kick start I needed to bring myself to a higher level of fitness. I think I’ll be able to work out more intensely on my own now and am in the habit of working out 5 days a week, whereas before it was a struggle to get 3 workouts in a week.
I wish I could be the kind of person who feels lost when she misses a workout, who looks forward to spending hours in the gym, but that’s just not me. I think it is because as an athlete, growing up and throughout college, I was always working out with a purpose. I was practicing with a team or training for a race. Working out for the sake of working out, just to be fit, doesn’t carry much luster for me.
Tangent over.
One of my favorite post-workout snacks (you know, because I always climbed back in bed after the workout rather than just starting my day) during boot camp was one of these mini Larabars I won from Clean Eating Chelsey‘s blog a few weeks back. (Score!)
Can you tell we like Larabars? These bags were FULL.
The best discovery of my winnings was the lemon-flavored bar. I never would have guessed that I’d like the lemon bars, so I hadn’t ever tried one. But let me tell you, the Lemon Larabar is amazing. I can’t believe I waited this long to discover it. It might have something to do with my current obsession with all things lemon-flavored. Not sure where it’s coming from, but I’m lovin’ lemons lately.
When all the yellow packages were gone from my bag 0′ bars, I knew I had to create my own. I was secretly hoping I’d be the only one to like these, but Tim enthusiastically declared them my “best bars yet!” and Meghan scarfed one down and asked for another immediately. I guess I have to share.
Lemony Snack Bars
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 bars 1x
Description
No bake Lemony Snack Bars. These are a perfect healthy snack idea!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup whole pitted dates
- 1/3 cup cashews (mine were roasted and lightly salted)
- 1/4 cup almonds (mine were raw)
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract
Instructions
- Put the dates, cashews, and almonds in a food processor and process until the dates and nuts are broken down. Add the lemon extract and continue to process a little more. The mixture will look a little dry and like it’s not going to stick together, but it will, trust me!
- Dump your mixture onto a piece of wax paper.
- Form it into a rectangular loaf.
- Slice it into small bars. You can keep these in the fridge or on the counter. They will be firmer if kept in the fridge, but hold together fine if kept on the counter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 91
- Sugar: 9.3g
- Sodium: 1.1mg
- Fat: 4.25g
- Carbohydrates: 12.75g
- Protein: 2.25g
Now for a little peak behind the blog. In order to take advantage of the natural light, I took the pictures for this post outside. It was a grey day and it wasn’t bright enough on the deck, so I brought the little table I was using right down to the grass. When I was finished, I was in a hurry to get inside so I just carried the whole table, with everything on it, up the stairs of the deck. Only I didn’t make it up the stairs. For an athletic person I am exceptionally clumsy and the entire contents of the table ended up on the floor.
Somehow the white plate survived the crash, but the green polka-dotted bowl didn’t make it. Even though it was only $2.50 at Target, I was still sad. Someone else was sad, too.
This isn’t the best picture, but that’s Meghan (sans pants) and Tim looking on at the big mess Mommy made. And I don’t know if you can discern Meghan’s expression, but she was not happy. Time to make more bars.
Do you think these would be good with a drop of lemon essential oil instead of the extract? I am trying to work with what I have on hand 🙂 Thanks
Yes, definitely!
Hi, can you use real lemon? or lemon rind?
Yes, I think real lemon juice+zest would work nicely. Maybe a tablespoon of lemon juice and a teaspoon of the zest? Let me know if you try it!
Lemon oil may be used in aromatherapy. Researchers at The Ohio State University found that lemon oil aroma does not influence the human immune system, but may enhance mood.
Hi!
I’m so glad my friend turned me onto this blog! I’ve been trying some new snack recipes and so far, they are a hit. Just made these lemon bars and they are in the fridge getting ready for after school fingers. As I was putting the ingredients away, I noticed I grabbed pitted PRUNES instead of dates. They still taste great in case anyone was wondering and we’ll see what the crew says when they get home.
Ooops! 🙂
Melinda
What an interesting mix up! 🙂 I hope everyone liked them.
Maryea, I just have to tell you how obsessed with these bars my family is…we’ve made them the past two days in a row and today my 9 y/o made them by himself. Thanks for a great after-school snack! We absolutely love lemon anything!
Hi,
I discovered Larabars a few months ago and usually get apple. I can’t wait to try Lemon. And making them sounds super easy! I’ve never seen the little ones. Must look harder. Oh, and now I have to go to Target to see if they have more adorable polka dot dishes!!
My grandson just turned two. Anytime something unusual happens, he always says “OH NOOOO” . He would have had a big “oh no” for the dropped table!!
They are so easy to make and much cheaper, too! 🙂 I looked for a new dish, but they were gone. Boo.
I heart all things lemon! I will have to try these soon.
So sorry about your bowl. I hate when things get broken in my house. I broke my pampered chef pizza stone a few weeks back (oh and an end corner of the ceramic tile it fell onto). Now I am trying to convince the husband that I really do need to replace that stone with the same brand – not some knock off!
Yummm! Lemons, especially Meyer Lemons, are really good right now. Thanks for sharing!
I LOVE Larabars! I eat one almost everyday for a snack. I tried making my own a few months ago and loved it. Larabars are so expensive, so making them homemade saves a lot of money. I never thought of making a lemon variety – I’d love to give these a try! Thanks for sharing the recipe. They look delish! 😀
We eat a lot of healthy bars in our household! I will definitely have to make this recipe!
It is amazing how the heavy plate did not break, but the bowl did! Did the five second rule apply to the four bars that fell on the deck? 🙂 Were they salvaged?
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
My husband immediately said, “I’m not eating those”, but I couldn’t let them go to waste….so yes, they were salvaged. 🙂
I like Larabars, and having this recipe will save me some money and give me a healthy snack as well, thanks.
-Brenda
The fall is totally something I would do. Sorry about the broken bowl! I love lemon flavored things too – I bet the bars would be good with a bit of lemon rind too. I’ll make them and let you know. 🙂
I LOVE lemon Larabars!! They’re so refreshing 🙂 Poor bowl 🙁 And poor Megan – was she sadder about the bowl or the loss of the bars? And Carter is sans pants about 95% of the day….makes potty time a WHOLE lot easier 🙂
I don’t know what she was upset about–I think the whole situation! 🙂
These look great! I love lemon flavored things, so I’m sure I’d love these. So sorry that they spilled.
I haven’t tried the lemon Larabars, but I LOVE key lime pie!! So sorry that you dropped that adorable polka dot bowl!
I’m so glad I just found your blog, love it!
Thanks, Kayla! I’ll have to try the key-lime pie–sounds like another one I’d love.
Confession….I am a larabar addict yet I know I can make them on my own, like you. Love the lemony flavor. I want to try to make the blueberry next. Megans face is priceless!
Oh my word. Her face! At least you got the first shot. Consider it the MONEY shot now that the bowl went to broken dishes heaven.
Oh gosh I make a mess like this all the time! and I break EVERYTHING!!! I can totally relate.
I am bookmarking this as I do with most of your schtuff =) these look delish!
Oh yum. I’m so in a lemon mood now that summer is approaching. Where can you get organic lemon extract?
I got mine at Health Foods, Unlimited. I’m sure its sold at most health food stores or a well-stocked grocery store.
These sounds super yummy! I haven’t used lemon extract before but I might just give it a try.