Bonus Post! A Recipe for You, and a Request of You

After I wrote about sisters the other day, I got to thinking that one of the things sisters do is share tried-and-true recipes with each other.

So here’s a new favorite of mine: Almond-Honey Power Bars! You already have most of the ingredients, and the ones you might not (sunflower, flax, and sesame seeds), you can purchase inexpensively at Aldi or any grocery store.

Almond-Honey Power Bars: so good and good for you

When I see a new recipe with more than five ingredients, I quickly lose interest, but this one is so simple. Toast the first 5 in the oven, combine with the next 3 in a bowl, heat the last five, pour on top, stir and refrigerate!

Best of all: No preservatives. Perfect for hiking or tucking in your bag with a bottle of water for those long walks we need as the days grow short.

ALMOND-HONEY POWER BARS

· 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

· ¼ cup slivered almonds

· ¼ cup sunflower seeds

· 1 Tbsp flaxseeds

· 1 Tbsp sesame seeds

Preheat oven to 350. Spread these on a large, rimmed baking sheet and bake about 10 minutes, until the oats are lightly toasted and the nuts fragrant, shaking the pan halfway through. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the following and toss to combine:

· 1 cup unsweetened whole-grain puffed cereal (I used Rice Krispies instead)

· 1/3 cup chopped dried apricots (cut with scissors dipped in water)

· 2/3 cup chopped golden raisins (dark ones are fine too)

In a small saucepan on medium-low heat, combine the following and stir frequently until the mixture starts to bubble (don’t let it scorch):

· ¼ cup creamy almond or peanut butter

· ¼ cup brown sugar

· ¼ cup honey

· ½ tsp. vanilla extract

· 1/8 tsp. salt

Immediately pour the liquid mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until no dry spots remain. Transfer to an 8 inch square pan coated with cooking spray. Spray your hands lightly, and press mixture down firmly to make an even layer. Refrigerate. Cut into 8 bars. Freezes well!

[Slightly adapted from My Place for Bible Study: The Joy Adventure, copyright 2020 First Place for Health. Used by permission.]

If easier for you to copy, here's the original recipe from the book. (I skipped the currants and doubled the raisins instead.)

And here’s my special request. Y’all know I am working on a second book, a slightly sassy devotional with quips, tips, and recipes. What is one piece of advice your well-meaning mama or grandma gave you back in the day? Maybe you rolled your eyes at the time, but you’ve heard yourself say the same thing to your kids or grands.

I asked this question on Facebook last night and have over 175 comments already, which tells me we definitely remember maternal advice.

Would love to hear what yours said to you!