Im having one of those days… well actually its beginning to feel like one of those weeks ;-)

After a fabulous Monday the last two days have seemed a little more trying, nothing major has happened, perhaps its the weather, perhaps it my hormones, perhaps it my mind allowing me to be sidetracked from the positive jobs I need and want to do and keep on harping back to other stuff.

Days and even weeks like these can happened, thats life.  But isn’t it the truth that when these things happen that little gremlin in your head pops up and say “chocolate will make this better”  or  “what you need is a treat”.  Happens to us all, even here at The Body Retreat!!

You know what,  some days you need to just go with it.  There is no reason why you can’t have a treat and still be healthy, still maintain your healthy eating plan, still stay on track.  You have to remember that it is still all about choice.  Those of you who have joined us at any of our Body Retreats will know how important choosing your choice is.

So rather than choose to have something from the shop that is full of rubbish why not make your snack a double treat…how about a healthy, gorgeous, chewy, chocolately, nutty bar that is actually doing you some good.  How about if it took you under 5 mins to prepare and then only 15 mins to bake and you probably have most of the ingredients in your house already.  The only problem you may have is waiting for them to cool before you eat them… but to be honest I find that I’m so productive during that time as I’m soo looking forward to sticking the kettle on, having my healthy snack and enjoying 15 mins out.

Introducing our Chewy Peanut Banana Bars

Makes 8 delicious generous healthy snacks

Ingredients:

1 level Tbsp coconut oil

3 very ripe bananas

1 Tsp Honey

2 Tbps Crunchy Peanut Butter *

275 gm Porridge Oats

2 Tbsp Gournd Flaxseed

1 Tbsp Pumpkin Seeds

25 gm 70% Organic Dark Chocolate

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180.
Grease and line a 20 cm baking tray with a little of the coconut oil. (If you use baking parchment too you will find you need to use less oil)

In a large saucepan melt the coconut oil, honey and peanut butter together over a low heat.

In a bowl mash the bananas.

When the nutty mixture is melted, take off the heat and mix in the mashed banana. The stir in the oats, flaxseed and pumpkin seeds and mix well.

Tip the mixture into the baking tin and press down with a spoon to ensure the mixture is highly packed.

Bake in the oven for about 15/20 minutes until golden.

Once cooked, remove from oven and transfer to a baking rack to cool.

Once cool, slice into 8 portions.

Now take your chocolate and melt, I use the microwave for such a small amount of chocolate, just break the pieces up and pop into a small cup then blast for 15 seconds medium setting until gently melted.

Using a teaspoon drizzle the chocolate over the bars, leave for another 10 mins then enjoy.

*Pls, Pls, buy organic whole peanut butter not the supermarket brands.  Your butter should contain 100% nuts and nothing added, no added sugar or oil or other “stuff” , just nuts.  Our fav brand is Meridian which you can get at most supermarkets or Holland & Barrett. :-)