Spirulina Power Bars – aka Bird Seed Bars

Spirulina Power Bars – aka Bird Seed Bars

Store shelves are lined with power bar options these days. While they are convenient and good to store in the glove box of your car, most power bars are simply glorified candy bars. Don’t be fooled by the marketing. Check the label for sugar content and ingredients for the types of sugars or added chemicals in the form of colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Two of my packaged faves are Clif bars and Raw Revolution. I try to keep a few handy.

These power bars are super simple to make, have a low sugar content, and are full of protein, healthy fats, and calcium.

What’s spirulina?

It’s an algae. That may not sound so appealing, but when you consider that our bodies contain trillions of bacteria, and that we eat bacteria every time we consume yogurt or sauerkraut, then a little algae might not seem so bad.

In fact, a little algae can be very good for us. Spirulina contains all the essential aminos, so it’s a good source of protein. Test tube and animals studies have shown spirulina to benefit our immune system as well. The Aztecs are the first known culture to harvest the supplement. As with any supplements, you want to make sure the product you use is quality, trusted, and well-tested. Use caution if you are pregnant or nursing.

You also get the benefits of heart-healthy almonds and calcium-rich sesame seeds with these bars. What a POWERful way to start the day!

Ingredients

1 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup almonds, blended or chopped finely
3 tbs local honey
3 tbs coconut oil or coconut spread
2 tbs spirulina

Mix all ingredients and press into small square baking dish. Place in freezer for about an hour before cutting. Store remaining bars in freezer. (Fridge ok, but will be softer.)

With this morning’s bars, I used this coconut spread that I picked up. The ingredients are decent, and the taste is good. I tend to lean more toward the purist side, however, so when this tub is gone, I’ll probably stick with the oil.

I like to use my Magic Bullet to chop the almonds. I got this as a gift and for years it stayed in my cupboard. Now I can’t imagine my life without it.