Gluten-free, Vegan, Breakfast Bars...

I am not one to want to spend much time on breakfast. I just want something quick, easy and healthy to eat with my cup of coffee. I am a gluten-free girl. I was eating Rice or Corn Chex until the naturopath told me to stop since those almost immediately turn into sugar in your system. It was quick and easy but not very healthy. Then I started eating Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal. It is mighty tasty, but not very quick. It has to cook for a little while, not the best thing on mornings when I am up way before dawn to go to work at Starbucks. My cousin Mary Beth is now doing gluten free and she sent me the recipe for Joann's Power Bars at www.allrecipes.com. Here is my version of that recipe:

1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
1/2 cup ground flax seed meal
1/4 cup soy protein powder
1/2 cup dried fruit of your choice, dried blueberries is my choice :)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
egg substitute, equivalent to 1 egg
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1 tbls brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbls olive oil (I want to try coconut oil next time)

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a 9 inch square pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
2. Mix together the oats, flax seed meal, soy protein powder, brown sugar, dried fruit, nuts and cinnamon in a large bowl.
3. Add the apple sauce, egg substitute, apple sauce, and olive oil. Mix all together.
4. Spoon the dough into the baking dish and press down until evenly in the pan.
5. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the edges get slightly brown.
6. Simply lift the edges of the foil out of the pan and place on a cooling rack. I cute mine into 6 squares, a good size for breakfast. You can cut them smaller if you are just wanting a little snack. Store in an air tight container in the fridge.
   
7. Enjoy!

I had one this morning for breakfast and I was not hungry again until noon! I usually get hungry around 10am and have to have a snack. Not today! I am guessing that all the fiber from the oats and flax seed plus the protein powder and nuts really helps it all stick to your ribs.

This is exactly what I was looking for. This definitely fits the bill for quick, easy and healthy. Yes, cooking up a batch takes a little bit of time but for the next 6 mornings I have breakfast all ready to go. It's not too sweet which is perfect, I don't like sweet breakfasts. I don't even put sugar in my coffee.