I didn’t know there were many variations of food-grade non-food items. I have started following some hippy blogs online and reading random articles, so I have since found out about where some ingredients come from, and what level of chemicals are are allowed in foods. So! I have decided to make our own muesli or granola bars, since my brand of choice is made by Monsanto (gasp!). If you don’t know who that is, then educate yourself!

Anyhoo, I found a recipe by Ina Garten for muesli bars which I really like and which the boys will actually eat. I added more seeds and the boys still like them – win-win. I have also slightly rejigged a recipe for shortbread cookies for gluten free, plus a choc chip cookie recipe, I hope never to buy pre-made cookies again. I have also wanted to make my own chocolate because of the palm oil content in commercial bars, not to mention the numbers and unpronounceables.

Recently a friend served me some a-mazing brownies which were everything-free because her son has allergies, so I tried the recipe at home and my boys dig them, too. Cacao, nuts, dates, that’s it! They are frozen, rather than cooked, and delicious. http://pathtowellness.com.au/raw-cacao-fudge-bites/

The recipe I found for chocolate is cacao, honey, coconut oil, vanilla and salt. The result is a tad too dark for me, but Husband loves it so I think it a suitable thank you gift for our neighbour for taking care of the birds. If only I had a mould in the shape of a chicken or small bird, rather than the thanksgiving monster we use for November baking! I cannot find the recipe link, but I copied it down a week or so ago: 1/2 cup raw cacao powder, 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1 and 1/2 tbs honey, 1/2 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly then freeze for at least 30 minutes. Voila!