Ruby Slippers and Rocket Bars

I cried yesterday.  It was a special occasion because I don’t cry often.  Years ago I wrote a song and the lyrics read, “I’m not the type to cry, my eyes they live life dry.  My heart may be breaking, but my eyes will tell the lie.”

It felt so good to cry.  I was lost in Kansas , hot, tired, frustrated, aggravated, and crunched for time, so I let go and let the tears fall.  At first it was just a few tiny tears, but the little buggers multiplied and next thing I knew I was mid way through a full blown sob.  What sweet relief!

I cried for only a few minutes.  It was exactly what I needed to shed the weight of worry, and let go of the things that I couldn’t control.  I realized that if I kept going the direction I was headed I would find myself in the middle of nowhere, without cell service most likely, crying like a baby, chanting “there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home.”  Problem was I forgot my ruby slippers yesterday, so my only choice was to buck up and back track.  *Note to self: don’t go to Kansas without ruby slippers.*

Step one, recognize. Step two, improvise.  I turned around and headed back toward the familiar.  At times because of circumstances beyond our control, we can get headed in the wrong direction.  I was given bad directions; that can happen in our spiritual walk too.  If I would have checked MapQuest I would have seen that the directions I was given were wrong, and I would have saved myself a lot of time and frustration.  Spiritually speaking, study the word, then you will know that you are on the right track, and you won't get lost.

Trust in the Lord God with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path (Proverbs 3: 5-6).

One more thing, it is good to cry sometimes.  I can now vouch for the therapeutic benefits and cleansing power of a good old fashion cry.

After I dried my tears and made my way back to Joplin I felt refreshed and rejuvenated.  I finished up my day at work and headed to our home on the range.  I was unsure what I was going to make and blog about so I stood staring at my cupboards for several minutes.  I knew that I wanted to make it really healthy, but irresistibly delicious.  It needed to be something even the pickiest kid would hound you for, and that could be made with ease.  Well, I think I struck gold with this one.  Pure gold!

This is a very versatile treat and can be eaten as a nutritious energy bar, or it can be the base of an amazing dessert.  This morning I chopped it into chunks and served it soaked in vanilla almond milk for Kael.  Simply put, this is purely delicious.



Ronda Honda Rocket Bars

Ingredients:

½ cup honey

½ cup agave nectar (or you could just do a cup of honey, but I did it half n half)

1 cup of sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup of peanut butter (I use the Naturally More peanut butter with Flaxseed sold at Walmart for $2.89, it is awesome).

1 cup well chopped mixed nuts, seeds and dried fruit.

10 cups of cereal (I used Mom’s Best Oats and Honey Blend)

I also threw in about ½ cup pumpkin flax plus granola in there because I had it, and I could.

In a medium microwave safe bowl, heat the honey, sugar and salt to a full rolling boil.  Remove and stir in vanilla extract and peanut butter, blend until smooth.  In a separate bowl blend cereal and nut mixture together.

Pour the honey sauce over the cereal until evenly coated.  Press firmly into a 9x13 baking dish and let cool.

While my RH Rocket Bars were cooling I peeled and sliced three apples.  I then made a caramel sauce and sautéed the apples in it.

I cut the bars up poured my apples and sauce over the top and served it with a scoop of ice cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Have you seen the movie “What about Bob?”?  In that movie there is a scene where Bob is eating dinner he ooohh’s and ahhh’s over it nonstop.  You should have heard them ooohh’ing and ahhhh’ing in my kitchen last night.  I was a proud lady!  Now it is your turn to impress your crew.  Whip up a batch of these and take the credit for making something so AUH-MA-ZING that everyone will want seconds, and thirds, but then you will have to make more.

Here is my caramel recipe:

Ingredients:

½ cup packed brown sugar

½ cup (1 stick) butter

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1 tablespoon of rum (optional, but I like it)

Put together ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Let simmer for 3-4 minutes.  Toss in your apples and let sit for about another 2 minutes.

I cut and wrapped my leftover bars and froze them.  Oh what a treat!  This morning I ate them right out of the icebox (I like calling it that).  I could have eaten so many, but didn’t, I used restraint.  I understand right now you cannot possibly appreciate the amount of restraint displayed and sheer willpower that was demonstrated in my kitchen this morning, but hopefully soon you will.

Xoxo

Ronda