Puffed Quinoa, Date and Cardamom Bars

These bars are ideal when you want to reach for a cookie or candy and quinoa puffs is also a good source of fiber, which is beneficial for digestive health.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of puffed quinoa

• 1/2 cup of Goji berries

• 1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds

• 1/2 tbsp of flax seeds

• 1 tsp of cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

• 1 cup of mixed nuts, chopped (I used almonds, Brazil, cashew)

• 1/2 cup of dates (soaked in water, drained)

• 1/2 cup of almond butter

• 1/4 cup of coconut oil

• 1 tsp of grounded cardamom

Instructions:

1. Blend the dates in a food processor until they form a paste.

2. Melt the almond butter and coconut oil in a small saucepan. Then and add it to the food processor, along with the vanilla extract, cinnamon and cardamom.

   Pulse until well combined.

3. Add the puffed quinoa, pumpkin, flax seeds and chopped nuts and pulse until everything is combined (do not overmix).

4. Spread the mixture out into a small dish/baking pan lined with parchment paper.

5. Use your hands or back of a spoon to press the mixture down evenly into the dish.

6. Place in the fridge to set for 2 hours, then slice into bars.

7. Store bars in a container in the fridge.