Kelp Energy Bars

These bars are easy to make and versatile, just substitute any dried fruit, nut, or nut butter. They are a tasty way to incorporate nutrient dense kelp, a type of sea vegetable. Make a batch on Sunday afternoon and enjoy them all week at work or school!

1 ½ cups ground or finely chopped almonds

1 ½ cups ground or finely chopped walnuts

½ cup cashews ground or finely chopped

¼ cup sesame or pumpkin seeds

1 ½ cup dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries, blueberries, chopped apricots, dates, dried coconut

¾ cup honey, maple syrup or molasses

½ cup dried kelp, crumbled into small pieces

spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg (optional)

Preheat oven to 325^oF. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. The mixture will be somewhat sticky. Using wet fingers, press it down into a 7x11baking dish that has been oiled. Bake for 15-45 minutes depending on how crunchy and roasted you would like. Cool & cut into individual pieces.

Another option is to roll these into balls with wet hands and enjoy them raw.

Yield: 9-12 bars

Original recipe adapted from Jennifer Adler MS, CN