Student Ideal Organic Energy Bars (and a Giveaway)!

This post is dedicated to the students of BMCC: Borough of Manhattan Community College.

I remember when I was a student, especially during the midterms when I was pilled up with exams, I was craving for sugar and the easiest snack I could find back then, was chocolate or ready-made cookies.  Nowadays I crave for a sweet bite regularly, most of the times because I feel tired or stressed, but I try to control it with healthier choices.  An article that was written by my dietitian, Ioannis Kerimis, “Stress and Emotional Eating”, made me realize that most of the times the reason I end up eating sweets is mostly because of what I feel.

I tried to create a snack that can give the receiver a sweet taste, without the guilt that usually accompanies similar snacks, and at the same time to offer energy and nutrition, something that it is essential for students.  In this way, we can satisfy our need for a sweet bite and control our weight too. Another article that gave me useful information about my eating mistakes is “Factors that negatively affect weight loss”.

These bars are made with organic ingredients and they contain approximately 125-130 calories per bar. They are very easy to make and they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two months.

As a Thank-you gesture, I wanted to make a Giveaway of a purely Mediterranean Cookbook.

My dearest friend Ivy from Kopiaste.org was kind enough to offer us the 1^st Volume of her excellent e-Book “MINT, CINNAMON &BLOSSOM WATER”.

Volume 1 includes all Savory dishes, mezedes, side dishes, and salads.

Ivy also wrote a 2nd Volume of "MINT, CINNAMON & BLOSSOM WATER”, which you can find at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/100265.

In Volume 2, you will find loaves of bread, bread products, Pites (pies), snacks, almyra (savory pastries), traditional and modern Desserts, Glyka tou koutaliou (fruit preserves), marmalades (jams), drinks, etc.

The winner of the Giveaway will be announced at the 29th of February 2012 after a random draw. (Random.org will be used).


Due to a blog problem leaving a comment might take 3-4 minutes, but finally it works. 


In order to participate in this Giveaway please do either or both of the following:
- Share the post on Facebook and/or Twitter and Copy/Paste the link to my blog letting me know that you've done so.

- Leave a 2^nd comment on this post stating your thoughts about emotional eating.
- You can leave up to two comments. 

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Student Ideal Organic Energy Bars

Makes 20

Ingredients (all Organic)

1 cup oats

½ cup Oatbran (Mornflake)

½ cup raw unsalted sunflower seeds

¼ cup whole-wheat flour

½ cup powdered nonfat dry milk (Regilait 0%)

½ teaspoon cinnamon powder

¼ teaspoon mixed spices

12 dried apricots

10 raw pecan nuts or 40 raw almonds (60gr)

8 pitted dried dates

½ cup raisins

1 peeled and shredded apple

¼ cup mountain bee honey (80gr)

2 egg-whites (medium eggs)

Preparation Method

1) Place all ingredients except for egg-whites, honey, and apple in a food processor and pulse until the mixture is finely chopped.

2) Add the egg-whites, honey and apple and pulse until the mixture is well combined.

3) On the bottom of a square pan (25cm x 25cm)  place a non stick baking paper, and spread mixture evenly in the pan.

4) Bake in a pre-heated oven at 170ºC (350ºF), for approximately 20 minutes.

5) Allow to cool and cut into 20 bars.

6) Wrap with clean film and store in the fridge.