With all of my talk about following an “anti-inflammatory” diet, people often ask me, “But can’t I have a LITTLE fun? Are there no snacks I can indulge in?” And my answer is, “Absolutely yes!” If you are willing to spend a half hour in the kitchen, these granola bars are a much better alternative to “store bought” ones, with long ingredient lists you cannot pronounce, and which are often too high in sugar and low in fiber. Because oats are a whole, unrefined grain, they help to fight inflammation in the body. While many processed and packaged treats create inflammation–with their hydrogenated oils and an assortment of chemically treated sugars, these bars are 100% natural. Trust me, you will never go back to store bought…enjoy!

Chewy (and Healthy!) Granola Bars
Ingredients:
*1/4 c. brown sugar
*1/4 c. honey
*2 egg whites
*2 c. rolled oats
*1 tsp. cinnamon
*1/3 c. flour (whole wheat or gluten free oat flour)
*3 tbsp. safflower oil
*1/4 c. dried cranberries and dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray 8 x 8 baking pan with cooking spray.
Line baking pan with parchment paper–easier to remove bars after cooking this way.
In a bowl, mix brown sugar, honey, egg whites, and cinnamon. Whisk until combined.
Stir in the oats, flour, oil, cranberries and dark chocolate.
Pour mixture into baking pan and bake for 15 minutes.
Allow bars to cool before cutting into squares.