"Raw" Goodies!

These next two recipes originally come from a variety of different sites, including A Couple Cooks and Shutterbean.  I have been searching and trying various recipes in order to discover great and healthy lunchbox alternatives for our family, since we all pack our lunches everyday.  Granola bars from the store are fantastic in size and are highly transportable.  However, they are fantastically full of ingredients I don't want in my body or my the bodies of my family!  The trick has been to make homemade versions of granola and energy bars that transport as well.  This is much harder than it sounds.  I've had some great tasting granola that doesn't hold together well enough for my boys to eat easily at lunch.  I had good success with a homemade granola bar not too long ago, which I posted here, Toasty Oat & Fruit Bars.  I now wanted variety!  I found it in these two goodies.

Viva Variety!

Raw Brownie & Apricot-Coconut Energy Bites

Apricot Coconut Energy Bites 
Ingredients:
1/2 cup raw almonds
1 cup dried apricots
1 cup shredded coconut, toasted
1/3 cup rolled oats
2 Tbsp. agave nectar
3 Tbsp. sesame seeds
1/2 tsp. ground ginger

Method:
1.  Process almonds in food processor until finely ground and set them aside.
2.  Place dried apricots in the food processor and process until finely chopped - about 2-3 minutes.
3.  Add coconut, oats, agave nectar, sesame seeds and ginger.
4.  Process until it all binds together and add in almonds.
5.  Process until well combined
6.  Roll mixture into balls and store in the freezer in an air tight container.

Raw Brownies 
Ingredients:
1 cup walnuts (unsalted)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt
1 1/4 cups Medjool dates (about 12)
1/4 cup almonds (unsalted)
Cinnamon

Method:
1.  Pit the dates, set them aside.
2.  Process the walnuts in the food processor until nuts are finely ground.
3.  Add the cocoa powder  & salt and pulse to combine.
4.  Now, while food processor is running, add dates one at a time.  Once the dates are incorporated the dough should be crumbly yet form-able
5.  Now throw in the almonds and pulse to combine.
6.  Now you can form the brownies.  You can press them into a pan, roll them into balls or shape them into cubes. 
7.  Place them into the fridge or freezer for 5-10 minutes then sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired.
8.  If in a pan, then cut.  I put the balls &/or cubes in a container and store them in the container.

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