UPGRADE YOUR SNACKS...

Since we've been on a health kick, we just made these bars for the second time in just a few months.  Must mean they're good!  Really, it's one of the few healthy snacks I know with chocolate but no refined sugar in it.  I have to credit my sis-in-law for this recipe, although she called them Cliff bars.  I think they taste better than those, actually, so I have given them a new name:

FAUX SNICKERS

6 c. uncooked quick-cooking oatmeal
6 T. ground flaxseed (flaxseed meal)
1 c. finely chopped dried fruit (raisins, craisins, cherries, whatever you like)
2 c. finely chopped nuts or seeds (we used peanuts, cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds)
1 c. honey or agave syrup
1 1/2 c. nut butter, any kind
1 T. vanilla
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate baking squares (we use Guittard dark)

Combine the oats, flaxseed meal, dried fruit and nuts in a large bowl.  In another bowl combine the honey, chocolate, and nut butter and heat in a microwave until melted and well blended 30 seconds at a time.  Stir in vanilla.  Add the melted ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well.  Press into sheet cake pan lined with wax paper.  After chilling, cut into bars.  Store in refrigerator or freezer.