Energy Bar- DIY or Custom Made

We bring to your attention 2 options for healthy energy bar type snacks and which one appeals to you most depends on whether you are a "do-it-yourselfer", who likes to be involved in the process of things and feel the sense of accomplishment afterwards, or the "I don't want to have what everyone else does, customize my purchases for me" person. For the "do-it-yourselfer", Women's Health magazine printed a great recipe from the company that makes Chunks of Energy snacks (http://www.danstarco.com/). We can say from experience that these are delicious and the healthy carob completely controls our chocolate cravings.

1 cup honey

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup carob powder

1 cup sesame seeds

1 cup sunflower seeds

1. Heat honey until warm, then add peanut butter slowly, until just mixable.


2. Stir in remaining ingredients and press into oiled 8-by-8-inch pan.


3. Chill for 1 hour. Cut into 25 small squares. Keep in fridge for up to 1 month; freeze indefinitely.

As easy as that recipe is (the hardest part is finding carob powder, which we get at Wild Oats), if you'd rather have someone else do it, but to your specifications, check out http://www.youbars.com/ where you can build-a-bar from their lists of ingredient options. The minimum order is a box of 12 and that costs $40 which is a little pricey but you also get to name your bar. Wouldn't that be impressive to hand to your friend after your next mini-marathon training run?