Almond-Cherry Energy Bars

These crunchy bars are a great high-energy snack

Yields: 24 bars

Ingredients:

3 cups of favorite granola
1 cup wheat germ
1 1/2 cups almond butter
1 teas vanilla extract
1/3 cup whole-wheat flour
3/4 cup honey
1 cup dried cherries or dried cherry-flavored cranberries
1 cup slivered almonds

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray and line parchment paper, leaving excess paper on edges. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and spread into pan. Press firmly. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cut into 24 bars while still warm.

Someone I work with made these last week and she gave me the recipe. They were good and healthy....thought I'd pass it along. I need to buy some wheat germ and then I'll be able to make and I plan to use dried cranberries. If you do not have almond butter or do not want to spend the outrageous price for it probably could be substituted with peanut butter.

This week I did cardio x 2 and did my weights once. I ate much better than the last 2 weeks. I ate a lot more salad, I did not overeat although I did treat myself with a few sweets. My goal for this week is 3 days of cardio.
Have a good week! ~Kim

I need to get a little more of a move on!!!! I did cardio x 2 last week, abs x 2 and some weights. I have yet to live up to my goals. The gardens, animals, and maintenance of this place seem to always be screaming my name. I ate like a cow last week, hormonal??? Not sure I can blame it on that yet. Trying to eat cleaner as well and trying to give up diet pepsi again. I had an 8 oz yesterday and a 12oz today. Gotta give that shit up...I'm an addict! Last time I did I swore I lost a few pounds plus that crap can't be good for you!
Have a good week all. Haven't heard from AL and SL lately?????

I'm still plugging away, I swear!

I have been faithfully doing my 4 mile walk about 3 times weekly....the weights, that is another story. I plan to do them 2 times weekly. Really need the yogo too. I have been soooo stiff lately! I am not very fond of this "feeling your age crud"! I would like to propose a new goal: I will do cardio X 4, weight program X 2 and yoga X2. Oh, and the eating...I too, need to eat clean, less sugar and processed foods! I had real whipped cream last PM....yummy, if I do that on occasion I will not beat myself up, but the key is moderation. Good luck to all with your goals. I am in your corner and share your same challenges. WE CAN DO THIS! afterall....stubborn determination=women!
Melissa N.

Constant struggle!

So I did get in 1 workout at the end of last week-a Firm DVD that kicked my butt. It has a lot of weights combined with plyometrics and straight cardio, I highly recommend it to anyone that uses videos at home. I got up early to jog/walk before work on Monday, did roughly 3 miles with a whole lot more walking than jogging! I have a crazy schedule this week-I have to drive to Augusta every day for work, so not much time for exercise. My goal is to try to eat "clean", less carbs and processed foods and work out at least 2 more times. Wish me luck! -M.M.

Think Thin!

Don't you hate it when they use a shot of your body for a picture in their magazine.
HEE HEE, I wish! I did my cardio 3 times this week, all on the trail. I thought I was going to die in the heat today so I cut it a little short and walked mostly. I did most of my weight work outs, all crunched into today. I should be some sore tomorrow. My goal for this weeks is to eat a little better reducing my carb intake. Try and exercise on all my days off, more abs. Not wait until Sunday to cram everything in. On my home scale which is probably off to my benefit I weighed 140, my goal is to be 135 (on this scale) by mid July.
Have a good week! Kim

Better late than never!

Hi ladies! I've finally managed to figure out how to post(I think), so here I am. As usual, I started out being very dedicated to health and fitness at the beginning of the year. I had a baby 14 months ago and am still carrying some excess pounds. So I committed to exercise and lost a few pounds, but recently I fell off the wagon. I won't make excuses for myself, suffice it to say I have not been giving my health the time and attention it deserves. I know I'm getting into this a little late, but my goal for the rest of the week is to get in 2 thirty minute cardio sessions. Oh, and not stuff myself at the graduation party/baby shower/birthday parties that I have to attend!
Hope you are all making progress towards your goals!

In the Pouring Rain

Ok not a glamor shot but it shows you I went in the wild weather we had Saturday. So I did not make my goal this week but I can assure you I never would have went out in the torrential down-pour we had on Saturday had I not opened my big mouth about "weekly goals". Or at least I would have had sense enough to come in, well I did come in half way through to change out of my drenched running pants and sneaks and head back out. Actually it was fun and refreshing! Sadly, my MP3 player died, it now is sitting in a bag of rice in hopes to suck up the moisture. Confessions... I only did cardio twice this week and weights once...looser! I need to learn not to wait until Sunday to wrap up the week which I had planned but we had hours of unexpected company and lots of fun and excitement as you'll see this weeks posts on my farm blog. Enough excuses, my goal for this week is to do more than last week. Melissa M should be joining us soon she e-mailed today for technical counsel. Have a good week all! Kim