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Quinoa Coconut Granola Bars

Quinoa Coconut Granola Bars 1

We made it 15 weeks of life and 3 weeks of daycare before Shea’s first illness. It just doesn’t seem fair that babies get sick. The only thing more helpless than a baby…is a sick baby. 🙁

Add to the list of things you roll your eyes at before you actually experience it: kids grow up in the blink of an eye. It’s really quite sad. As much as I want to see her grow (16 lbs 5 oz, by the way!) and change and develop, a huge part of me always wants her to fit in my arms, snuggle into the crook of my neck, and wake me at all hours of the night because she needs me. Sigh. It’s all just happening really, really fast.

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After a rough night and a mommy-if-you-put-me-down-I’ll-scream few days, I was not surprised to have her wake-up all congested yesterday morning. I was also not surprised when the doctor said yesterday that she’s already teething. She’s been a drooling, hand-sucking, ornery little babe and so we can add the insult of teething to our very first cold.

In happier and cuter news, the child has discovered her thumb…and loves it. In her mouth. A lot. It’s cute, but as an ex-thumb sucker until an embarrassing age of life…ahhhhhhh!!!! Interestingly, however, it’s always her left thumb she chooses. Parents, in your experience, does this mean anything in terms of her chances of being a lefty versus a righty?

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Anyway. Food. Amazing, good-for-you, kid-approved food. These Quinoa Coconut Granola Bars fit the bill.

On Sunday evening, we had over about 27 people. I say “about” because it really is just a guess. It was a lot. Lots of adults, lots of kids. The kids ranged in ages from 15 weeks (Shea) to 5 years. It was a chaotic ball of fun and as a dietitian, it’s always interesting to see parents feeding their kids. A lot of the parents decided to try avocado with their little ones that night and overall, it was a hit!

Some of the older kids gave these granola bars try. I had given two of the moms some of these to try and the kids were into them in no time, giving them their stamp of approval. I concur, they’re delicious…and packed with lots of healthy goodness. Perfect for a breakfast, snack, or dessert, these travel well, freeze well, and taste fabulous. Enjoy!

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Quinoa Coconut Granola Bars
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 12 bars
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 cup old fashioned oats
  • ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • ½ cup dried apricots (of dried fruit of choice), finely chopped
  • ½ cup unsalted nuts (I used cashews, pecans, and almonds)
  • ½ cup natural smooth peanut butter
  • ½ cup honey
  • 1 Tbsp canola oil
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the parchment paper to drape over the sides of the pan; set aside.
  2. Spread oats and quinoa on a cookie sheet and toast in preheated oven for 6-7 minutes; transfer mixture to a large bowl and add coconut, dried apricots, and nuts.
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine peanut butter, honey, and oil. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring well; remove from heat. Pour over oats mixture and combine until dry ingredients are evenly coated and transfer to prepared baking dish. Firmly press mixture down into pan.
  4. Bake for 20 minutes or until edges begin to burn. Let cool to room temperature and refrigerate for 2-3 hours before cutting into 12 bars.
Notes
Recipe slightly adapted from Super Healthy Kids
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 bar Calories: 263 Fat: 12.1 Carbohydrates: 35.3 Sugar: 17.0 Sodium: 52 Fiber: 2.8 Protein: 6.9 Cholesterol: 0
Work in a bit. We’re taking shifts with the baby today 🙂

Be well,

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11 Comments

  1. Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips
    January 20, 2015 / 12:26 pm

    Oooh, we will love these bars in my house!

  2. Biz
    January 20, 2015 / 3:31 pm

    Those look delicious Nicole. Hannah sucked her thumb until she was 9 years old – and she had what I called a “stinky” blanket that she slept with. She would get so mad at me when I washed that blanket! Now that stinky blanket has been turned into a pillow – is thread bare, but she still sleeps with it at almost 23 years old. ๐Ÿ˜€

    • Nicole Morrissey
      Author
      January 23, 2015 / 9:43 am

      This cracks me up ๐Ÿ™‚ That Hannah <3

  3. Rebecca
    January 20, 2015 / 9:05 pm

    Thank you for this ! I have a pkg of quinoa and no idea what to do with it!

  4. Angela R
    January 21, 2015 / 10:12 am

    My son sucks his left thumb too, but he is right handed. I think he sucks his left thumb because he likes to rub his blankie tags with the right. Sooo cute!

    • Nicole Morrissey
      Author
      January 23, 2015 / 9:40 am

      That’s adorable, Angela! Just when you don’t think they could get any cuter… ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Raina
    January 22, 2015 / 8:06 am

    As a fellow former thumbsucker till an embarrassing age (EEEK!)… I can say I only sucked my left thumb and am right handed.

    • Nicole Morrissey
      Author
      January 23, 2015 / 9:40 am

      Haha! I love it! Thanks, Raina!

  6. Azu
    January 25, 2015 / 2:42 pm

    Lately I have been making lots of healthy bars and energy bites, this quinoa-coconut bars look sooo good. Pinned!

  7. laura
    March 9, 2015 / 6:11 am

    I just wanted to say thank you for this receipe my little boy loves it!!

    • Nicole Morrissey
      Author
      March 9, 2015 / 12:28 pm

      I’m so glad! Thanks, Laura!

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