Homemade Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Recipe of the Week:

Homemade Natural Chewy Granola Bars

In light of all the GMO's, processed, preservative-filled, high fructose corn syrup loaded food, I decided to have my weekly recipe post be something that you can be happy to have you or your children eat. They are really delicious and so much better for your body than whatever Nature Valley and Quaker have packed in their granola bars.

**Here is what you will need**
-4 cups old fashioned oats (you can even get these gluten free if you prefer)
-1/3 cup coconut oil (this may not be carried at major grocers', try a health food store or a Whole Foods, etc.)
-1 cup raw honey (again you may need to get this at a specialty health store)
-1/4 tsp. sea salt
-1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups of almonds OR walnuts OR pecans (whichever nut you prefer) - chop them up
1/2 cup of natural or organic chocolate chips

Let's get these bars started!

Preheat the oven to 350.
-Place oats on an ungreased rimmed cookie sheet (about 11x17'') and toast in the heatev over for 10 minutes. Stir every few minutes.
-While those are in the oven, melt honey and coconut oil in saucepan over medium heat. Do not burn it. Remove from stove and toss in the vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Stir until dissolved.
-Add the oats to the saucepan mixture and evenly coat. Add your choice of chopped nuts, stir evenly. Lastly, stir in the chocolate chips.
-Line a rimmed baking sheet (about 10"x15") with parchment paper.  **TIP - sprinkle with a few drops of water to keep paper in place.)
-Dump oat mixture onto cookie sheet and spread out.Use your hands or spatula to press mixture into pan evenly. (You can wet your hands to prevent batter from sticking, or use place parchment paper between batter and your hands while pressing it out.)

Now, bake for approximately 8-9 minutes. Just until edges begin to brown, no longer. Cool completely before removing bars and parchment paper from pan. Place on cutting board and cut bars up. I cut mine into 24 bars, but you can make any amount/size you would like.

And.....Viola!