I stay active year-round, but when warm weather arrives I try to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Being on the move all day takes energy, so before you lose momentum, grab one of these quick and easy Seed & Date Power Bars. They deliver a clean burst of energy and are simple to make.
Summer draws many of us outside to enjoy sunshine and nature—hiking, biking, running, boating, swimming, kayaking, paddleboard yoga, fishing—the list goes on. Over the years I’ve become more aware of how different foods affect my mood, energy, and focus.
When I eat plant-based foods—fresh vegetables and fruit—I feel vibrant and alert. I notice an even bigger boost when those foods are raw. Nuts, too, especially those high in protein, help me stay active from morning until night. Eating well lifts my mood, increases my energy, and even makes me more cheerful.
On the other hand, foods like chocolate, white bread, heavy pastas, and rich desserts tend to leave me sluggish and ready for bed earlier. Fish keeps me feeling good when served simply—fresh salsas or light dressings instead of heavy sauces.
Even knowing how food affects me, I sometimes fall into cravings for sugary or heavy foods, which quickly sap my energy. Planning ahead helps: preparing healthy snacks in advance or buying pre-cut fruit and vegetables makes it easy to grab something nourishing when hunger strikes.
This morning I made a batch of Seed & Date Power Bars so I’ll have portable snacks for the week. Wrapping each bar individually to toss in a purse, backpack, or car prevents reaching for candy or processed snacks that drag you down. These bars are very quick to prepare—the only slightly fiddly step is pitting and chopping the dates. After mixing the ingredients you bake them until they bind together, then slice and enjoy.
They’re perfect for road trips, hikes, lunchboxes, or after-school snacks. If you try them, I’d love to hear what you think and which activity inspired you to make them.
Seed & Date Power Bars
Yield: 8-12 bars depending on slices
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240g) firmly packed chopped pitted fresh dates (approximately 20)
- 3/4 cup (120g) chopped almonds
- 3/4 cup (120g) sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup (80g) pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325 F (160 C).
- Line a square cake pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Combine the dates, almonds, sunflower seeds, pepitas, honey, cinnamon, and vanilla in a bowl and mix well.
- Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes, or until golden and toasty.
- Let cool completely in the pan, then slice into bars.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 10 days.
Enjoy!!!
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