Clif Bars

Have you tried clif bars?

I love them but do not love the price.
I've found this recipe and it is gooood. My kids all love them and that is really what I was after. And the price is right!

Clif Bars/Energy Bars

Preheat oven to 350F
Place the following in a food processor/blender:
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup raw unsalted sunflower seeds
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
1/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup raw almonds
1/2 cup powdered nonfat dry milk
1/2 cup apricots
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup pitted dried dates
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Pulse until mixture is finely chopped.

Add:
2 large eggs
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
Pulse until the mixture is well combined. It will resemble coarse paste.

Shape into bars* and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Bake for about 20 minutes, or until just starting to brown a bit on bottom.

Cool. Wrap in plastic wrap or waxed paper.

*this is very sticky so try to do it quickly. I just grab about 1/4-1/3cup of the mixture and shape it into a bar, throw it on the pan and flatten it a bit with my hand...till they are about 1/2 in thick.

***The fun part is changing it up:
I've substituted cranberries for the apricots and dates, just because that is what I had. And we added a few white chocolate chips. They tasted good!

I've also substituted vanilla protein powder for the nonfat dry milk, so they will give me a little boost on my long runs.

We are excited to try peanut butter in the mix. Also chocolate would be good too. Even chocolate mint.

The clif kids bars come in these flavors:
Chocolate brownie
choc. chip
honey graham - use honey rather than maple syrup and graham cracker crumbs in place of the flour or one of the nuts.
blueberry - use dried blueberries
s'mores

Any kind of chocolate chip melted and drizzled on top adds just enough sweetness to make it a treat!

Now that Spring is on it's way these are a great snack to keep our energy up (without any sugar) while we are getting outside again!

(Adam and Luke hiking Mt. Timpanogos 2009) (8 hour hike)

Mr. Willis

On the last day of March Bridget reported that Mr. Young was not going to be at school the next day. Too bad.. she wouldn't be able to play any April Fools tricks on him.
Next day Bridget arrives at school and she has a substitute named Mr. Willis. He is bald and wears glasses and unusual clothes. His voice is interesting, and he is very specific about their tasks: Now we will do this for the next 4 minutes. (Bridget acted out for us how he seemed nervous as he wrung his hands while talking to them). He plays football with the boys at recess. He's serious.

Not until AFTER LUNCH did he disclose his true identity.

IT WAS MR. YOUNG!

But Mr. Young has lot's of hair on his head and face... He shaved it all!
But Mr. Young doesn't wear glasses... he found some!
But Mr. Young ALWAYS wears dress pants, shirt, tie and black converse sneakers...apparantly he has a few other choices in his closet!
But Mr. Young is not nervous or too serious...but forced himself to be!
But Mr. Young never plays football at recess...

These are the things that kept Bridget wondering all morning who this Mr. Willis in her classroom truly was. But admitted that she thought it could have been his brother because there was something about him that seemed familiar!! He is good if he kept it going through lunch.

I think he's read this
It may have been a while since you've seen this side of Bridget...enjoy!


On a Sunday Night when Bridget is accessorizin' with the little kids:






...while Luke and Adam put the finishing touches on his science project