made at home: kitchen cabinet granola bars

"From the Kitchen Cabinet" Granola Bars

• 3 cups of quick-oats
• 1/2 of cereal (I used Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds) 
• 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (I used walnuts) 
• 1/4 cup of shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup of vegan chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons of ground flax seed
• 1/4 cup of Earth Balance
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1/4 cup of peanut butter
• 1/4 cup of maple syrup 

   On medium heat, whisk the Earth Balance, brown sugar, peanut butter, and maple syrup in a sauce pan until melted. In a medium bowl, mix together the quick-oats, cereal, nuts, coconut, chocolate chips, and flax seed. After the stove top mixture has cooled slightly, stir into the dry mixture. Place the bar mixture into an 8 inch square cake pan (that is coated with cooking spray) and pat down with a spatula. Store in the refrigerator. 

   I am always gathering ideas how I can save money on groceries. With having a special diet, and no wanting to only consume 'rice and beans' every evening, I tend to spend a large amount on weekly groceries. I eat about box of granola bars a week, because they are a healthy and convenient snack for always being on the go. I decided to try and make my own bars today, just out of random things that were in my kitchen. These turned out so delicious  I will defiantly be making my own granola bars from now on.