Family Chefmate: Oatmeal And Chocolate Granola Bars

Oatmeal and chocolate granola bars are a great snack food. I make these bars twice a month and send them with my kids to school for snack time. These granola bars are great brain food since they have flaxseed, oats, black sesame seeds, wheat germ and dark chocolate. The "Brain Diet" book by Alan Logan talks about getting enough omega 3's in your diet. Ground Flaxseed is rich in Omega 3's 9alpha-linolenic acid). Each serving of flaxseed (2 tablespoons) gives you 2800 mg of Omega-3. Omega 3's are important because 60% of the brain is made up of fat. These Omega 3 fats helps your brain run at optimal speeds, coats the nerve cells of the brain so they can signal the nerve cells properly and lowers brain related conditions like ADHD, depression and anxiety. Wheat Germ is an excellent source of Vitamin E and Folic acid. Finally, oatmeal and dark chocolate are superstar foods since they are both great brain friendly antioxidants. Store these granola bars in the freezer and pull them out when you need them.

Oatmeal And Chocolate Granola Bars:
Servings: 10
Bake: 350 degrees

1/2 cup ground organic flaxseed
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup black sesame seeds
4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup canola oil
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup agave
1/4 cup water
1 cup dark chocolate chips like Ghirardelli 60% cacao

1. In a large bowl mix together, oats, salt, coconut, wheat germ, flaxseed, sesame seeds and baking powder.

2. In a small sauce pan place the butter, canola oil, water, brown sugar and agave. Bring to a boil and stir with a wire whisk until all the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat.

3. Coat the oats with the sugar syrup and mix until all the oats have been coated evenly with the syrup.

4. Pour the oat mixture into a 9"x12" greased pan. Using the back of a spoon push the oats into the pan so they are evenly pressed into the pan. Bake at 350
degrees for 20 minutes or until browned. Allow to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

Pushing The Oats Into The Pan With A Spoon

5. In a microwaveable bowl, heat the chocolate chips for 1 minute on high in the microwave. Stir the chips and return to the microwave for 1 more minute and stir. All the chips should be melted. Pour the melted chocolate over the cooled granola bars. Using a plastic spatula spread the chocolate evenly over the top of the cooked oats. Place the whole pan into the freezer for 20 minutes to cool the chocolate. Cut the granola bars with a sharp knife on a cutting board. Store the granola bars in the freezer in a freezer zip lock bag. This will keep them fresh.

Spreading the Melted Chocolate Over the Oats