Apricot muesli bars

I made a big batch of these the other week to take with me to college and for Jaakko's coffee moments when he wants something sweet. I don't know if you can call them muesli bars but that's the closest thing they were for me! I even cut then into muesli bar slice sizes how cool is that.

Here's something interesting. A great thing i've learnt over the past year is soaking seeds and nuts. Because I have a dehydrator I soak my almonds and sunflower seeds in salty water overnight and then dehydrate them so that they are crispy again. This is the best way to get the most nutrients from nuts and seeds and make them more digestible. In my Nourishing Traditions book it explains how nuts and seeds contain enzyme inhibitors. Soaking in salt water activates the enzymes that neutralize the enzyme inhibitors and makes the nutrients more availabe. You can also dry nuts in seeds in the oven at a low heat after soaking them.

Another great addition to these is dried apples! See if you can find dried apples and apricots without those nasty sulphur presrvatives.

Apricot muesli bars
Handful of dates pitted
Handful of dried apricots
Handful of almonds
1 Tbls sunflower seeds
A pinch of cinnamon

Pulse the nuts and seeds first in the food processor. Then add everything else and mix until a sticky ball texture. Press out onto baking paper (so it doesn't stick) in a square or rectangular container/tin to desired thickness. Freeze or put in fridge until firm and cut into pieces.
I keep mine stored in the freezer. They are nice and chewy and are best when straight from the freezer or fridge!

Essential oils

Hello!

Today I made sure I bought some new batteries for my camera so I can have it ready in the kitchen to snap a picture of everything as it happens as a lot goes on around here:) And the foods I make sometimes get eaten before I have a chance to take a photo. I thought I'd share with you my latest two essential oils that I bought, tea tree and sweet orange. Essential oils are slowly joining my family and I am finding ways to use them more and more. My number one favourite way of using them at the moment is for cleaning floors. I put some hot water in a large bowl and add a few drops of an essential oil in the water and use this to wipe the floors in the bathroom and kitchen. So simple and leaves a nice scent. Another thing I'm going to do is make my own body and hair mist. I have this organic patchouli-sweet orange mist in this cute little spray bottle I bought a while ago. I looked at the ingredients and was like I bet I could make that myself! So when it is empty I'll take the bottle and fill it with some filtered water and a few drops of my own essential oils. And maybe I'll hunt down some vegetable glycerin to make it uber cool.

Over the past few years I've been moving away from using cleaning products that are toxic and contain harmful ingredients. I mean it just doesn't make sense to "clean" with toxic chemicals now does it? I've found lots of good natural non toxic products by looking around and knowing my ingredients. And I have also started making my own by using things that most of us have our kitchen. For example a few drops of essential oils in a water and white vinegar mixture makes a great all purpose cleaner. I use this for wiping cupboards, doors, getting rid of mold and and cleaning the shower. Oh, and don't forget baking soda! I love baking soda. It cleans all sorts of things and can be used for so many purposes.

If you have any ideas or ways you like to use essential oils add a comment and let us all know!

Love Katja