Take a moment today to thank a granola bar for saving you in your time of hunger

If you're hungry and look for something good to eat today, consider a wholesome snack because it's National Granola Bar Day!

While the history of National Granola Bar Day is sketchy at best, granola has been eaten regularly since the late nineteenth century. Its popularity waned until the 1960s when it became a regularly associated with the hippie culture. It didn’t experience a resurgence until the mid-seventies when granola was shaped and baked into bar form and marketed as a health food.

Granola bars were invented by Stanley Mason. Granola usually came in a loose form which could be messy when traveling but was great as a cereal. But when Mr. Mason created the bar, the healthy snack became popular because it was portable.

The first actual granola bar that sold in the United States was patented and created by Edward Thayer Sr. from Chico, California. Granola bars are an over $3 billion dollar a year industry. Granola bar recipes were developed in the 1970s, and have evolved to include such extras as fruit, grains, nuts, yogurt, breakfast cereal, candy and chocolate and we suggest adding some textured soy protein to your granola bar as it packs a protein punch that helps you feel satisfied and provides important amino acids and other valuable nutrients.

Celebrate National Granola Day by making soy protein enhanced Granola Bars from the NSRL Cookbook Textured Soy Protein in the Kitchen. The TSP boosts the protein content up to 5 grams, making this a great grab and go snack.

The cookbook may be purchased at https://ecommerce.aces.illinois.edu/ICSF/

Granola Bars

1/2 cup honey 1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup oil 3 cups oats (rolled or old-fashioned, not instant)

1 cup toasted oat rings cereal 1 cup dry textured soy protein

1 cup shredded coconut 1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup raisins

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Coat a 9” x 13” baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Place the honey, brown sugar and oil in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Combine the remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Pour the honey mixture over the oat mixture and stir well to coat all the ingredients with the honey mixture.
4. Place the mixture in the prepared pan and press it into a firm, even layer. If the mixture is sticky, rinse your hands in cold water and press the mixture down with slightly damp fingers.
5. Bake for 20 minutes, until golden. Remove the dish from the oven and let cool completely before cutting into 24 bars.

Makes 24 servings

Per serving: 205 calories, 5 grams protein (2.1 grams soy protein), 27 grams carbohydrate, 10 grams fat (2.3 grams saturated)

So take a moment today on National Granola Bar Day and thank a granola bar for saving you in your time of hunger!

Healthy Regards,

Marilyn Nash