Stacie's "Kind-a" Bars

So I have many reasons to smile these days...

First, I am finally cleared of my "dental drama"!!! EEEEEEE!!!! I couldn't have been a happier girl walking out of the (amazing) third oral surgeons office! Dr. Ban, you are wonderful and I am so grateful to not be in ANY pain anymore!

Along with my mouth pain being done, the semester from hell has ended as well. I did well in my Math and Microbiology classes. I haven't heard back from my English professor yet. I have a feeling I did well, as I have done well all semester (and my final research paper kicked ass... Who am I kidding??).. I may post a link to it someday, as it is a research paper completely devoted to weight loss surgery. I loved writing it!

I am also back to my old routine. Running and meal prepping! It's great to be back and "alive" again. I struggled SO much over the past 3 months and have a whole new understanding and appreciation for those that suffer chronic pain of any kind.. It is truly debilitating and, despite how I used to feel, you can't "just ignore it". I apologize for my former lack of sympathy and concern. I also appreciate everyone who has been so kind and caring while I was having trouble. The kind words, emails, texts, and calls meant so much. xoxo!

On to the title of this post!

This morning, I was battling some cramping and went on the hunt for some Midol in the gift shop of the hospital I am currently working in. That place is a death trap for my wallet! EVERY. TIME.
While in there, I was hungry and in my current efforts to "eat clean', I picked up one of the Kind Bars I have been seeing everywhere. Only SEVEN ingredients in the bar and I can pronounce all of them! Wahoooo!!!

This one was Almond and Coconut. 100% delicious! -- PS-- Please excuse the pic! I had to sneak it at my desk because I had a meeting going on all around me and didn't want to look too dumb snapping pics of my food while at work! ;) After one bite, I swore I was going to try and recreate these bad boys at my house (hopefully cheaper than the price of a box).

Mission accomplished!!!

Ladies and Gentleman, I give you...

                                                            Stacie's "Kind-a" Bars!
I know, I know.. Original name...

                 Engineer approved! (Nice chunk taken out before I could even let them harden. lol)

Seriously though, these babies are the BOMB! Taste JUST like Almond Joy bars, but MUCH healthier and they won't put you're sugar levels on a roller coaster ride.

Want the recipe??? I know you do! I would if I didn't come up with it! ;)

Stacie's "Kind-a" Bars
2 Cups Dry Oats
1/3 Cup Mini Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup Unsweetened Flaked Coconut
1 Cup Slivered Almonds
1 Tsp. Cinnamon
3/4 Cup Honey
1/2 Cup Almond Butter

Mix all ingredients up. Press in to sprayed pan. Cut in to bars.

STATS:
I measured my stats for 8 bars cut out of each pan. In hindsight, I wish I would have used puffed brown rice instead of all the oats (a suggestion from The Engineer). Not quite as "low cal" as I had hoped for, but still healthy.

Serving size: 1 Bar
Servings Per Recipe: 16
Calories: 177
Protein: 3.5

About the same as a normal "Kind" Bar.. Same size and about 15 cals less.

Have a good evening everyone! Hope you enjoy!