Anytime Bars

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2
   Lightly oil a 9-inch square pan.
3. 3
   Spread the pecans in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and toast for 7 to 10 minutes, until aromatic and slightly browned.
4. 4
   Watch them carefully, as they can burn easily.
5. 5
   Repeat this process for the almonds.
6. 6
   Turn down the oven to 325F.
7. 7
   Combine the spelt flour, all-purpose flour, flaxseeds, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a food processor and process for 5 seconds to combine.
8. 8
   Add the pecans and almonds and pulse 5 times to coarsely chop the nuts.
9. 9
   Add the oats, dates, and apricots and pulse 10 to 15 times, until the mixture is well chopped but still coarse.
10. 10
    In a large bowl, whisk the egg, maple syrup, and vanilla together until thoroughly combined.
11. 11
    Add the fruit and nut mixture and use your hands to mix thoroughly, being sure to separate any clumps of fruit.
12. 12
    Spread the mixture in the oiled baking pan in an even layer and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until set and golden brown; dont overbake, or the bars will be too dry.
13. 13
    Let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes, then cut into 25 squares.
14. 14
    Leave the bars in the pan until completely cool so theyll hold together when you remove them.
15. 15
    When it comes to changing up the mixture, the only limit is your imagination.
16. 16
    Here are a few ideas to get you started:
17. 17
    Use walnuts instead of pecans.
18. 18
    Add 1/4 cup dried cranberries, cherries, blueberries, raisins, or currants when mixing together at the end.
19. 19
    Add 1 tablespoon of grated orange zest when mixing together at the end.
20. 20
    Add 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds when mixing together at the end.
21. 21
    Add 1/4 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut when mixing together at the end.
22. 22
    For a gluten-free version, substitute a gluten-free muffin mix for the spelt flour and all-purpose flour.
23. 23
    While oats dont contain gluten, theyre often processed alongside wheat, so if your sensitivity to gluten is extreme, be sure to use Bobs Red Mill gluten-free oats (Resources).
24. 24
    Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 to 7 days or in the freezer for 2 months.
25. 25
    (per serving)
26. 26
    Calories: 120
27. 27
    Total Fat: 6.5g (0.6g saturated, 3.7g monounsaturated)
28. 28
    Carbohydrates: 14g
29. 29
    Protein: 2g
30. 30
    Fiber: 2g
31. 31
    Sodium: 35mg
32. 32
    Flaxseeds have gone under the microscope, and scientists like what theyre seeing.
33. 33
    In a well-respected study in Montreal, a researcher had biopsies from women who had just been diagnosed with breast cancer but werent scheduled to undergo surgery for another 8 to 12 weeks.
34. 34
    Dr. Jeanne Wallace says that the researcher sent the women muffins in which she baked flaxseeds or placebo muffins, without flaxseeds.
35. 35
    After the women underwent surgery, the researcher compared their postsurgery biopsies to the baseline tissues.
36. 36
    She was able to show that just this flaxseed intervention, over a period of not quite three months, was able to slow the growth rate of the cancer and to reduce estrogen signaling (which has been linked to some breast cancers).
37. 37
    Wallace says flaxseeds are preferable to flax oils, which oxidize easily, making them potentially damaging to health, rather than healing.