Sunday Snack ~ Flaxie Maxie Bars

APRIL 3, 2016

These are delicious.
I just don't like store bought protein or nut bars.
They usually have too many ingredients and a sugar content that is out of my control.
And then these came through my inbox from one of my favorite resources,
[Replenish PDX and Andrea Nakayama, a Functional Nutritionist](http://www.replenishpdx.com/2012/10/your-estrozen-faq).
This article, through the above link,
is full of information on: estrogen; snacks for protein, fat, & fiber; belly weight;
dietary questions; detoxing for men & women;
and info for Andrea's upcoming estrozen detox program
as well as this yummy recipe created by one of her clients Eli.
 

**Flaxie Maxie Bars**
Makes 36- 1.25 x 1.25 inch pieces

**Ingredients:**
Please use organic!
- 1 1/2 cups almonds (soaked and toasted in the oven is ideal)
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup cacao or coconut butter\*
- 1/2 cup crunchy almond butter
- 1/2 cup dried goji berries
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup fresh ground flax
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- a couple pinches of salt
- 1/4 cup cacao nibs
- 6 drops liquid stevia (add the stevia, mix and taste to bring it to your liking)

**Directions**
1. Pulse nuts, ground flaxseeds, coconut, nut butter and salt in a food processor until coarsely ground.
2. Gently melt the butter and/or oil by placing the glass jar into warm water to soften enough to scoop or pour and measure.
3. Add cacao/coconut butter to food processor along with remaining ingredients.
4. Pulse to create a coarse and pasty mixture.
5. Press mixture into an 8 x 8 glass baking dish
6. Chill in refrigerator for 1 hour, until mixture hardens.
7. Cut into the desired size of bars and store in refrigerator.

\* Note from the chef of this recipe: "I have used cashews, sunflower seeds, sunflower seed butter. All are yummy. I like using the cacao butter because of the flavor and it doesn’t melt when traveling."

She also added: "You can use coconut oil or a mixture of the two (note: cacao butter will stay harder longer out of the fridge."

From Lea: When I first made these I didn't have cacao butter in my pantry so I used coconut butter.

And, I made the bars quite small (the original recipe says 4 - 6 bars!). Mine are approximately 1.25 X 1.25 inches. I found that you don't need much for them to take the edge off of your hunger and to feel satiated. But you could make them larger if needed. These freeze well, which helps them to hold their shape. Be sure to wrap them up , or store in a container when you travel as they do crumble. And believe you me, you don't want to miss a single crumb!