Homemade Date Bars (The fruit, not the social engagement)

      I can hardly believe it's been over a year since I returned to the United States from Honduras. I miss it dearly. I am not sure that it will ever lose its place in my heart. However, I do see God's faithfulness in allowing him to make this my home too. I have a deep seeded contentedness that I know comes from the fact that the Lord is working. It's a new school year and so far it's been a year of new adventures! I really have felt the Lord challenge me to step out in trying new things, so I am being obedient and seeing what he does as I step out and let him work.
     My class this year is a special one, we have a great connection. Maybe it's something about my second year in a place??? Don't get me wrong, I loved my students last year and teaching them, but there is something really different about our atmosphere this year. These kiddos love singing and acting and seem to adore any little song or creative element I can bring to the classroom. We have been learning our verses via song this year and it's been so fun. You can check out one of my songs here.

This year, I've also gotten to help out with the fall play. I am so excited to see these hard-working high schoolers perform their hilarious play in about 4 weeks! On that same vein, I also decided to try out for a play at a local theater and was somewhat surprised that I actually got a part! So you all should make your way on over to see me perform in the Christmas play at Essenhaus's Heritage Hall. 

    In cooking adventures, I have been experimenting with finding ways that I can eat "sweet things" without actually eating processed sugars and baked goods. So without further ado, I present to you the recipe for homemade date bars (ahem, sort of like Larabars). I found one on the internet and then I tweaked it. So enjoy. =) 

You will need:

Chocolate Coconut 

- unsalted almonds (about 8 oz) 

- 1 cup of dried dates

- 1/2 cup of unsweetened coconut

- 1/3 cup of cocoa nibs or 1/4 c cocoa powder

- 1 tsp natural vanilla extract 

- If you so desire, you could also add dark chocolate chips or pecans 

1. Grind the almonds in a food processor until fine, but not pasty. 

2. Soak the dates in warm water for about 5 minutes

3. Drain the dates and add in with the almonds, coconut, cocoa nibs, and vanilla. 

4. Use the food processor until it all kind of sticks together. 

5. Cover a loaf pan with plastic wrap and then press the mixture inside with another piece of plastic wrap. 

6. Put it in the fridge for about an hour. Cut them apart in the size you want, serving size would be into about 10 pieces. 

7. Wrap them in plastic wrap. Keep them in the fridge for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer up to 6 months! (You may want to thaw it if you get it out of the freezer, unless you like to break your teeth) 

Blueberry Muffin flavor: 

3/4 cup dates

1/2 cup dried blueberries

3/4 cup ground almonds

1/2 cup whole oats

a dash of cinnamon (whatever that means, put in however much you like) 

1 tsp of vanilla 

I also did a recipe with blueberries, where you follow most of the same directions, but instead of 1 cup of dried dates, you do 3/4 cup of dates, 1/2 cup of dried blueberries, both soaked. Instead of coconut, put in 1/2 cup of whole oats. Throw in a dash of cinnamon and follow the directions. =) 

Enjoy!