Kids are so funny.
Yesterday, I was standing in the kitchen, folding laundry, when Warner slithered by. And I do mean slithered, he had only his tiny boxer briefs on, and was belly down on the (wood) floor, using only his arms to slide towards the bathroom.
“Just have to pee!” as he slithers by.
“Good luck!” I shrugged.
If you have kids, especially around this same age, I’m sure you wish they came with a mini recorder to catch all the hilarious and just outlandish things they say. (With a filter… just the funny things please!). The other day this conversation happened:
Warner just waltzed into the office, with a ripped piece of paper that he had colored on. “Here mom! This is for you!” I graciously accept the gift. “Thank you, Warner…. now tell me what this is?”
Warner: “It’s a beef stick, and I don’t want it, and dad doesn’t want it, because it has weird smells.”
Me: “Okay then, thank you.”
So what does that have to do with mint chocolate power bars? Well, not a whole lot, except that I’ve got more to keep up with these days. So, some chocolate mint power bars are in order!
If your dates have been opened for a bit, you may notice that they are hard, and perhaps have some white spots on them. That is actually the sugars have hardened and crystalized. Soak the dates in warm water for twenty minutes (this makes them easier to blend!).
In a blender, chop the almonds. You can grind them into a flour or leave some a bit chunky for texture.
Pour the almonds into a bowl and add in the cacao powder.
In a blender, blend the dates, mint and water until a paste forms.
Scoop out the paste into the almond mixture and combine with the maple syrup.
Mix in the mini chocolate chips.
Line an 8×4 pan with parchment paper. Pour the mixture into the pan and using another piece of parchment paper, press the mixture into the pan until even. Top with chopped almonds if desired. Place in the freezer for one hour to set.
Hope this recipe helps you power through… whatever is coming at you lately 😀
Mint Chocolate Power Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups dates
- 3/4 cup almonds
- 2 tbs maple syrup
- 1/4 + 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/4 cup Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Soak the dates in warm water for twenty minutes (this makes them easier to blend!). in a blender, chop the almonds.
- You can grind them into a flour or leave some a bit chunky for texture.
- Pour the almonds into a bowl and add in the cacao powder.
- In a blender, blend the dates, mint and water until a paste forms.
- Scoop out the paste into the almond mixture and combine.
- Mix in the mini chocolate chips.
- Line an 8×4 pan with parchment paper. Pour the mixture into the pan and using another piece of parchment paper, press the mixture into the pan until even.
- Top with chopped almonds if desired.
- Place in the freezer for one hour to set.
