So do I have your attention yet?

If not, will this do?

I know I know, call me Doctor Eeee-villll for showing you these photos…I just couldn’t help but jump with excitement when I heard the words “this is actually really good Ellie!” come out of Greg’s mouth.  I seriously had high expectations for these bars and could almost imagine myself enjoying them before they were even out of the oven.

Since this is a healthy vegan recipe and I wasn’t sure just how successful the results would be, I was waiting in anticipation in front of the oven for oh, only 10 minutes!

Actually, I washed the dishes while they were baking but the oven is right next to the sink and it just sounded better that way.

If you are looking for a delicious, low fat, fibrous, and tasty bar packed with protein and vitamin C, then this bar is for you.

Uncle Sam is smart ya know?

Ban-Berry Bars {Vegan+Healthy}

These bars are full of flavor and are infused with delicious fruits like banana and blueberries.  The inclusion of shredded coconut and almond meal make the bars taste nutty, rich, and satisfying.  Luckily, they are easy to digest and can be enjoyed for breakfast as well as a healthy snack!  Instead of fresh blueberries, frozen berries may be used.

Makes 12 square bars

Ingredients for Bars

• 1 C whole wheat pastry flour (Bob’s Red Mill, bulk flour, etc.)
• 1/4 C almond meal
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt (or regular)
• 2 TBSP shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/4 C coconut sugar
• 1 1/2 bananas, mashed (the more ripe, the better)
• 1 TBSP Safflower oil (or any oil)
• 3/4 C almond milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3/4 C blueberries

Ingredients for Streusel Topping

• 2 TBSP whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 TBSP rolled oats
• 1 TBSP shredded unsweetened coconut
• 2 TBSP coconut sugar
• 2 TBSP Earth Balance, softened
• 1 tsp almond milk

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F degrees.  Get a large mixing bowl and stir together all of the dry ingredients from the first ingredient list.  Then, add the mashed banana, oil, vanilla, berries, and almond milk.  Gently mix it with a rubber spatula until it’s thoroughly incorporated.
2. Pour the batter into a lightly greased 9×9″ square pan, or you may first line it with parchment paper.  Spread it out to be even.
3. In the same bowl, add all of the streusel ingredients and stir together until it becomes crumbly and chunky.  Sprinkle the mixture on top of the bar mixture and bake for approximately 10 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
4. Let it cool on a rack and serve!

I personally can’t wait to try it smeared with a bunch of peanut butter and coffee on the side.  Hmmm….it would be even better eaten as a crumpet during tea time in the middle of a breezy afternoon with my girlfriends.  Well, I don’t know if that will actually come to reality any time soon.  But a girl can dream!  Susan I’m talking to you!

Although I have my fair share of regular baked goods and desserts several times a week, I have to admit that I feel much better when they’re vegan.  I think it’s the fact that the ingredients tend to be on the lighter side and not as heavy on my digestion.  Lately I’ve been able to digest better overall, but vegan bars definitely guarantee no stomach aches!

This doesn’t mean that I’m going to follow a vegan lifestyle because I love fish too much, but my philosophy is to enjoy everything in moderation.  Eat meat every now and then, lots of veggies, and delicious treats–vegan or not.  They’re all good in my honest opinion!

Have a blessed start of July everyone!

Some Fun Reads

Philippians Jars–Peas and Thank You

Deep Blu Orlando–PB Fingers

Cinnamon Vanilla Sunflower Butter–101 Cookbooks

Pregnancy: Books–Balance Joy and Delicias

Nontraditional Foam Rolling–The Fitness Dish

Do you have any favorite vegan treats?

How do you feel about eating vegan food?  And how do you feel after you eat it?

Love,

Ellie <33

Tagged as: healthy snack, protein, Vegan banana blueberry bars, veganism and its benefits