fuel for a busy life (lunch box friendly)
Life never seems to let up, does it? It’s not going to slow down for anyone.
Not that I’m complaining, but this year has started off with a bang of busy-ness. Making lunches for both Viper AND Misty who has started at kindy (oh how they grow so fast!) working 2 jobs, yoga teacher training, plus domestic duties has me running around like a headless chook. Good thing I thrive on being BUSY.
My boys need lots of energy for their endeavours too, of course – and I want them to have quality fuel for their day. Viper would call these bars something along the lines of “Middle Earth Bars,” or “Hobbit food.” Basically this means that they are super dense, energy filled snacks that would definitely fuel a mission to Mordor, or a day at kindy. Also, I think Viper is poking fun at the look of my bars – unleavened bread, or a small windowless building, anyone? Looks aside, these are super tasty and filling…. plus Misty has deemed them Yummo.
These would be great for school lunches – nut free!
Apricot-Coconut Chocolate Chunk Bars
Vegan, wheat/corn/soy/ nut/refined sugar free.
- 1C quick oats
- 2/3C dessicated, toasted coconut*
- 3T toasted chickpea flour*
- 2T rapadura sugar (or granulated sweetener of choice)
- 1/2C chopped dried apricots
- 1/2C dark chocolate chopped into small chunks
- 1/2t ground cinnamon
- 1C almond milk (or desired milk)
- 1/4C soft vegan spread (nuttlelex, Earth Balance) OR coconut oil OR butter
- 1/4t sea salt
- 1t baking powder
- 1/8t baking soda
*Toasting really brings out the flavour of the coconut, and decreases to bitterness in the chickpea flour. Simply use a dry fry pan, stirring constantly until lightly brown and fragrant.
- Pre heat oven to 160 degrees C fan bake.
- Combine all ingredients except raising agents (baking soda/powder) and mix well.
- Fold through remaining ingredients gently.
- Scoop into a lined loaf pan and smooth out the top.
- Bake for 45-50 or until it feels firm in the middle. Turn off oven, leaving inside for a further 20 minutes.
- Place in fridge until fully cold.
- Slice into bars – store in the fridge.
I think the fact that I’m doing my yoga teacher training is my saving grace in this hectic schedule at the moment – I have to do yoga! It’s all kinds of winning in my book.
How do you cope with day-to-day craziness? What’s your favourite way to chillout?
20 Responses to “fuel for a busy life (lunch box friendly)”
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Vegan. Stay at home Mum of Misty. Yoga teacher in training. Passionate about REAL food - creating it, eating it, sharing it. I can never stick to a recipe.
Love that you are doing your yoga teacher training! Zaedyn loves yoga so if you ever have any tips or anything to share for little ones, let us know
Surfing and being at the beach is my way to chillout.
That’s so cool that Zaedyn is a little yogi! I’m trying to teach Misty a few things, but he usually ends up just climbing on me
He does a mean 3 legged downward facing dog though!
Yes, Viper is a mad keen surfer so he would totally relate to hitting the beach for a wave to unwind.
Misty is at kindergarten?! Wow. As you say, time does not stop!
I like being busy but I find there is a fine line between being busy and being overwhelmed. I thrive on being busy, but wilt on being overwhelmed. It’s tricky to balance them at times!
Whatever Viper calls these, I love the look of them
I call it kindy – but it’s really daycare for 2 days a week so I can go to work! He’s only 2
I sound similar to you – love being busy, but not TOO hectic-busy, you know?
This post came at the perfect time. I have felt like I am going CRAZY today. We have been rush, rush, rushing around. We also had a particularly horrible morning. Holden has started music classes and for some reason seems to be the ONLY child in a class of 7 who wants to run in circles and yell out the WHOLE time. Needless to say I get A LOT of nasty glares from the other moms. I think this is karma getting me back for judging all those moms with wild children when I was in my youth!! I’m kinda envious of you getting to send Misty off a few days a week haha.
Ha, don’t worry – I have been told that Misty doesn’t want to do ANY of the group activities at kindy OR put his dishes away after meals (I mean, he’s TWO!) boys will be boys, huh? Yeah Misty was getting totally bored (and naughty) at home with me all day, so 2 days a week he’s having some kindy time which I hope will be good for him. Then I get to go to work which is kind of a fun novelty (at the moment!)
omg, you just referenced LOTR. hahaha. i love you.
didnt know you were doing yoga teaching training! can you puh-leeez move to ca so we can hang out.
I know, right? We would be besties for sure!
Hobbit food never looked so good. I love the look of these bars. My life is actually moving slowly right now. I shouldn’t complain, just a few months ago it was so hectic I was hardly able to stay awake past 7. Now I am in a bit of a limbo waiting for some life things to fall into place. I do love being busy though, so I am ready to get these balls rolling!! Yoga is great for me too on the stress days, so is spin class!
“Windowless building” bars sounds great
! So cool that you are training to be a yoga instructor – good for you!!
Thanks Annie – I seriously LOVE it
Lembas bread!!!
Holy smokes woman, 2 jobs and yoga teacher training?! I’m still trying to wrap my head around needing to get another job that pays on top of my internship!
Yes, well 2nd job is to help pay for yoga teacher training as I’m not an Australian resident and not eligible for fee-help. Boo hiss. It’s not too bad though, the whole “working” thing is quite the novelty after being immersed in baby/toddler land for so long!
I’m so happy you’re doing teacher training! I can’t wait to hear more about your journey!
And I love how well this diet is working for you. I’m really excited for the summer so maybe I can afford more fruit. : )
I’m LOVING this new yoga-focused journey…. I will definitely be writing about it on the blog
LFRV is definitely a Summer-suited thing…. mango is nearing the end of it’s season here (BOO!) but I will definitely start to incorporate some more cooked food and MORE fat (my skin needs it!)
Hows the teacher training going?? I’m so curious as I would love to do it one day!
These snacks look perfectly energizing
Oh I am LOVING the teacher training, Gabby – I will write more about my experiences soon, but it is just SO lovely
I hate when I’m reading food blogs hungry. I want these in my kitchen right now!!
Ha, I’m the same Maryea…. drool on keyboard is a common accident around here
haha, that’s so funny that viper calls some of your food “hobbit food.” last night i made this really (awesome) dense, uber filling flatbread bake and bryan was all, mmmm, it’s your hobbit bread!
i too thrive on being busy. i wonder what it is? maybe when we’re busy we don’t have time to sit and listen to the chatter(often times not super nice) in our heads??