Here’s a really simple recipe for some make—at-home energy bars. I first tried this recipe as a rower in college. They soon became a team must at regattas. Mix and match your own favorite ingredients like nuts, chocolate, dried fruit to personalize the bars to your liking. Don’t be scared off by the kidney beans either!! You won’t taste them, and they are a fabulous source of fiber and long-lasting satiety!

Energy Bars

1 2/3 cups granola
2/3-cup brown sugar
1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1-2 cups chopped fruit, raisins, or chocolate
1 cup flaked coconut
1 15oz. can kidney or pinto beans, rinsed, drained, and somewhat mashed
1/2 cup nuts
1/2 cup honey
3 Tb. peanut butter
2 Tb. oil
1 tsp vanilla
Salt

Directions: Combine cereal, brown sugar, flour, coconut, and cinnamon. Add beans, fruit, nuts or other ingredients such as chocolate pieces. Combine butter, oil, honey, vanilla and salt and add to mixture. Bake at 350 degree F oven for 40-45 minutes. Share with friends or freeze extras for your next adventure.

Yields: 30 servings