I’m in a rice rut.  I should buy a bag of potatoes just to add some variety.

• Monday – Chicken and Rice
• Tuesday – Rice and Beans
• Wednesday – Spaghetti Mac Bake
• Thursday – Chicken Tacos
• Friday – Beans and Rice

I hope to go to the grocery on Thursday evening, so I’m not planning for the weekend yet.

I am attempting to cut out some of the pre-packaged foods that have crept back into our diets.  It’s so much more expensive to buy food already prepared.  And pre-packaged food is also significantly lower in nutrients.

Here is where we are starting.

Our Favorite Granola Bars

I first found this recipe on Allrecipes, but we changed it a bit to suit our taste.

Pre-heat your oven to 350° and line your 9×13 with foil, then spray the foil with oil.

• 2 cups Old Fashioned Oats
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (white works well too)
• 2/3 cup raisins OR shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a large bowl combine the first 8 ingredients.

In a medium bowl stir together the remaining ingredients and pour them into the dry ingredients.  Stir well.

Pour and press into the prepared 9×13.

Bake for 25 minutes.  Cool completely in the pan, before turning out onto a cutting board.

I am not  a “raisin in the cookie” kinda gal, but I appreciate the added nutrition.  And they are kinda tasty in these.

The shredded coconut option is very yummy also.

Here is a short list of things you might want to consider using as options in this recipe.

• slivered almonds
• almond extract
• walnuts
• pecans
• dried cranberries
• dried apricots, chopped
• dried pineapple (my fav)
• additional 1/2 cup oats

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4. Menu Plan Monday – 3/15/10
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