cha cha cha chia

As is the case with anything cool, I am just bringing it up the rear with attempting to incorporate various trendy foods into my diet.

As I stared at my grocery cart the other day and saw coconut oil, quinoa, almond meal and chia seeds I kind of hated myself. Mostly because I have been at the forefront of food-trend haters and would really like to remain there. But I also like to be apart of the cool crowd, so I found myself between a rock and hard place and just went ahead and gave in to my need to fit in and spent way too much money in the process. I do not intend to do it again except for buying chia seeds, that I will continue to do.

The aforementioned friend who introduced me to the 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies brought me these fabulous chia seed breakfast bars after I had Lucy and (shocker!!) Mike liked them. I also enjoyed them and have been wanting to make them ever since. You've probably all already made them and you probably all read the Wellness Mama, because you're all cooler than me. Just let me think that I am not a loser for a few minutes.

So on my ground breaking trendy trip to the store I picked up the ingredients, or most of them, and was able to throw together my own variation of the bars, which I give to you now.

Honestly, I have not eaten them for breakfast at all since I will never ever give up my morning creamer and coffee. So I eat something else with my caffeine and then wait for 10 o'clock to hit and satiate my veracious appetite and intense jonesing for more coffee with these bad boys. They fill me up until lunch and give me the energy I need too. Baddabing baddaboom.

The original recipe calls for medjool dates, but there was nary a date in sight at the ghetto Kroger that I went to so I just got some figs instead. (** I think dates are probably preferable especially for the purpose of the bars not being as crumbly as mine, although I do prefer the taste of figs)

The other recipe also says to use the food processor for the dates and then to hand mix it all together, but I used my food processor for everything and that was way easier. Also, I melted my chocolate and food precessed it as well to help it be in every, single, bite.

First gather your things:

Watcha need:

• 6 large medjool dates (or figs, but use a few extra if you're going the fig route)
• 1/2 cup chia Seeds 
• 2 Tablespoons coconut oil
• dark chocolate chips, I used 3 squares of a dark chocolate bar
• shredded coconut

You can go the crushed chocolate route or you can melt your chocolate in a double boiler (or put a tiny pot inside of a bigger pot of boiling water if you don't own a double boiler like me). Either way, just throw everything in the old Cuisinart and blend the heck out of it.

Then press it into a greased pan, make sure you grease it:

Refrigerate for 30 minutes or so to harden and enjoy!


**After note: I am not just trying to be cool buying various health foods, I am kind of desperate to clear up some nagging stomach issues. #notatotalloser