Our Favourite Peanut Energy Bars

I had another great crafting weekend with the girls last weekend. I brought our family's current fave granola/energy bars and got a few requests for the recipe, so here it is...

What you'll need:

3/4 c all natural peanut butter (no added sugar, salt etc.)
2/3 c honey (or 1/3 c honey and 1/3 c maple syrup)
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c cocoa powder
2 1/2 c quick cooking oats
1/2 - 3/4 c dried cranberries (or any dried fruit)
1/2 - 3/4 c chopped peanuts, unsalted (or any chopped nuts and/or seeds)
1/4 c chia seeds
1/4 c ground flax seed (optional)

To prepare:

Line a 9 x 13" cake pan with foil.
In a large bowl, combine peanut butter, honey, brown sugar and cocoa. Microwave for a couple of minutes, stirring half way through, and stir until smooth. (This can also be done in a saucepan on the stove over medium heat.)
Stir in oatmeal, dried fruit and nuts.
Press batter firmly into prepared pan. Refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into bars.

Pad Thai Inspired Salad

This is one of the best salads I've made recently! And it came together so easily. Hubby was making Pad Thai for supper, but I had already fulfilled my quota of starches for the day. So I took most of the same ingredients, minus the noodles, and came up with this amazingly similar and super zingy salad. Perfect for a hot day!

Simply arrange on your plate:

bed of lettuce
1/2 orange bell pepper
1/2 c bean sprouts
a few slices Vidalia onion
1 green onion
Fresh Cilantro (I like a lot, but use as much as you want)

Add 1 chicken breast, sliced and cooked in a non-stick pan with a tiny bit of peanut oil and a pinch of chili powder and salt.

Wisk together in a small bowl:

1 Tbsp Thai chili sauce (such as PC Memories of Thailand)
1 tsp lime juice
few drops fish sauce
1/2 tsp low sodium soy sauce
1/4 tsp Agave syrup or honey
1/4 tsp (or more) Sriracha hot sauce

Pour dressing over salad and garnish with chopped peanuts.

I will defenitely be making this again!