Energy bars are convenient snack, but some store-bought energy bars may contain a little too much artificial sweeteners.

Home-made energy bars are actually really easy to make. This recipe contains only healthy whole foods that are packed with all natural ingredients that allow the body to create energy on its own.

Ingredients

• 2 large overripe bananas
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup muscavado (unrefined brown sugar that is available in both light and dark varieties)
• ½ tsp vanilla
• 1 ½ cups oats or rolled oats
• ¾ cup of flour or ½ cup of whole wheat flour may be used
• ¾ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp of each cinnamon and nutmeg
• ¾ cups each of walnuts (pistachios or almonds may be used) and raisins (pitted dates may be used)

Directions

1. Set oven to 350 degrees Farenheit (or 180 degrees Celsius) and grease an 8x9 inch baking pan. In a medium bowl mash the bananas, with the sugar, oil, vanilla until the mixture is well combined.
2. Use a separate bowl and mix the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour and oats. Then add this to the banana mixture until well combined.
3. Finally add in the nuts, fruit or berries just till mixed well. Spread into the baking pan and bake for 20 minutes or until browned. Cool the bars thoroughly before you cut them.

Yields: 10 to 12 bars.

Goes perfectly well with low fat yoghurt, and toss in some fresh fruits for a wholesome breakfast!