Orange Pistachio Granola Bars -no sugar or oil added-

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY - 

I love to experiment. This week I have been trying some new RAW recipes. 

(You can learn about my week on raw HERE. )

I bought an AWESOME e-book from Vega-licious. 

She includes great instructions and many amazing recipes!!

You can get the book and many great other ones HERE.

The kids loved their 'Valentine' Granola Bar Snack

Ingredients 

1 1/2 cup pitted Medjool dates (14-15 total) 

 juice and zest of 2 oranges 

3/4 cup cashews (optional) 

2.5 cups rolled oats 

1/3-1/2 cup shelled pistachios 

3/4 cup pumpkin seeds 

3/4 cup sunflower seeds 

I added 1/2 tsp Sea Salt (I LOVE that sweet salty taste!)

1 cup raisins 

My Optional Additions: Shredded coconut, 1 tsp Vanilla, mini chocolate chips or cacao nibs

Directions:

1. Using a food processor, mix ingredients 1-3 until (dates, juice of oranges with zest and cashews) until almost smooth, but can leave slightly chunky 

2. Add rolled oats and pulse 10 times, stop, scrape mixture off sides, and repeat process three more times 

3. Add remaining ingredients except raisins and pulse 10-15 times 

4. Remove, place in a bowl, add raisins and thoroughly mix by hand 

Use any shape of cookie cutter you want and press firmly. About 1/4-1/2 inch thick. 

Place in dehydrator for about 8 hours or bake at 350 for about 15 minutes. 

Check often so they don't brown. They should be pretty crunchy!

ENJOY!!!