NutriGrain Melt-down

"Holy cow!! Opening a NutriGrain bar to see it had broken in half in the package is clearly the worst thing to happen on the planet. Ever."

This was the first Facebook status update I saw this morning...from my sister, discussing my nephew. Several comments down, one of her friends mentioned that she should just trash the thing anyway.  

I agree....and here's why: Sugar and High Fructose overload! I can't even pronounce half of these ingredients?!

Ingredients
CRUST: WHOLE GRAIN OATS, ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, VITAMIN B1 [THIAMIN MONONITRATE], VITAMIN B2 [RIBOFLAVIN], FOLIC ACID), WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, SOYBEAN OIL, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, SOLUBLE CORN FIBER, SUGAR, CALCIUM CARBONATE, WHEY, WHEAT BRAN, SALT, CELLULOSE, POTASSIUM BICARBONATE, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, SOY LECITHIN, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, WHEAT GLUTEN, NIACINAMIDE, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, CARRAGEENAN, ZINC OXIDE, REDUCED IRON, GUAR GUM, VITAMIN B6 (PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE), VITAMIN B1 (THIAMIN HYDROCHLORIDE), VITAMIN B2 (RIBOFLAVIN), FOLIC ACID. FILLING: HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CORN SYRUP, BLUEBERRY PUREE CONCENTRATE, GLYCERIN, SUGAR, WATER, SODIUM ALGINATE, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, METHYLCLLULOSE, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, MALIC ACID, RED 40, BLUE 1.

So, it sent me on a search for healthy, kid friendly, wallet friendly, cereal bar recipes. I knew I had a few in my collection...

Banana Oatmeal Bars

3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups whole grain flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
3 cups uncooked old fashioned oats

Mix ingredients together. Spray 9 x 13 pan with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 350' for 30-35 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.

          Granola Bars

2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup whole grain flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup shredded coconut
4 oz applesauce
2 1/2 tbsp flaxseed
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
*2 oz chopped pecans
*2 oz slivered almonds

Preheat oven to 325 F. Lightly grease one 9x13 inch pan.
In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, baking soda, vanilla, applesauce, flaxseed, honey and brown sugar. Stir in nuts and coconut.
Lightly press mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 325 F for about 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.
Makes 24 bars.

*I know the kiddos, do not and probably can't eat nuts! So replace nuts with dried cranberries, raisins or apricots! 

        Yogurt Cereal Bars (from Spark Recipes)

2 cups corn flakes
3/4 cup whole grain flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup butter
1 cup yogurt (banana/straw, etc)
1 egg slightly beaten
2 tbsp whole grain flour

Preheat to 350. Combine cereal, flour, sugar and cinnamon in small bowl. Cut in butter or margarine until coarse crumbs form. Press 1/2 of mixture firmly into bottom of greased 8" square pan. Mix yogurt, egg and 2 tbsp flour in another small bowl. Spread over cereal mixture in pan and then sprinkle remaining cereal mixture on top. Bake 30 min or until golden brown and cut into bars when cooled.
Makes 24 servings

And don't forget to let the kids help...it's more fun to eat something, if you had a part in the creation!