Homemade Banana Nut Fruit Bars

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In an effort to start eating less processed foods {even "healthy", organic processed foods}, I went searching for a recipe for homemade Larabars. We LOVE Larabars. BUT. They are expensive and when you need at least 2 to feed the kids, it can add up quickly. I wanted a cost effective way that didn't use 800 ingredients. I came across a few recipes, but really wanted to use what I had on hand so after seeing that I could dry bananas and use those, in addition to dates, I set out to create this recipe.
You'll need to dry your bananas first. I'm not sure how store bought dried bananas would work because these need to be somewhat sticky and help hold the bar together.  Set your oven to 170 degrees {that's as low as mine goes}. Cut your bananas into slices lengthwise and place on a drying rack. 

Place drying rack on top of a cookie sheet to catch any bits that may fall off during the drying process. Place in the oven and allow to dry for 8-10 hours. I started my batch at 2pm and turned off the oven at 10:30pm and left the bananas in the oven overnight. They were the perfect consistency in the morning. Recipe: Homemade Banana Nut Fruit Bars What You'll Need: 3 bananas (dried first - see above for drying instructions) 1/4 c or approximately 8 small dates (this is the type we use from Costco) 1/2 c sunflower seeds 1/4 c other nuts (almonds, cashews, hickory nuts, peanuts, etc.) Blend dried bananas and dates in food processor until they form a sticky dough. It should clump into a ball.  Blend in sunflower seeds and other nuts {we used peanuts this go round} until finely chopped. Turn out onto wax or parchment paper and form into a ball with your hands. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and press the dough into the bottom of the pan. Refrigerate for 1 hour.  Cut into desired size.  We used peanuts this time because it's what I had on hand. You could also form these into balls instead of bars.  Based on the ingredients I used, these bars cost about $.31 a piece. When making 6 bars this saves me almost $1 per bar based on the price of Larabars at our Trader Joe's. Worth it! Follow The Iowa Farmer's Wife on Instagram, Twitter, & Pinterest

10 Fun & Frugal Christmas Activities

Around here we are all about fun and all about frugal. They go well together, don't they? I'm always on the lookout for activities that can be made quickly with items we already have on hand. Here are 10 of my favorite Fun & Frugal Christmas Activities.

from left to right: #7, #5, #3 and #1

1. Felt Rudolph, Rudolph Game: Made with felt scraps and handprints. The antlers can be updated each year with new handprints or reused from the year before. Fun for ages 2-4. Cost: less than .50

2. Felt Gingerbread Dress-Up Doll: Created with one sheet of brown felt and felt scraps. This has been played with at our house multiple times over the past two years. I only made one Gingerbread body, but making 2 could double the fun! Fun for ages 2-8. Cost: less than .50

3. DIY Cardboard Toy Gingerbread House from Inner Child Fun: Made out of a cereal/cardboard box and velcro. Such a brilliant idea I had to make it for Sweet P as soon as I saw it. Fun for ages
3-8ish. Cost: .75 for the velcro, I had cardboard on hand

4. Candy Cane Bath Paint from Bath Activities for Kids: A holiday twist on a bathtime favorite! Adding peppermint extract to bath paint adds a whole new sensory experience! Cost: depends on whether or not you own any of the items previously. Peppermint extract: less than $4 (can be used for various activities and baking), shaving cream: $1 at DollarTree

5. Gingerbread Play Dough from The Imagination Tree: Smells AMAZING and takes less than 5 minutes to make. Great for pretend play. Cost: free, if you have everything on hand. Cream of tartar: less than $4 (will make several batches of play dough)

6. Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands: 24 Days of Ornament making while talking to your children about the birth of Christ. Cost: $7.99 for the eBook + supplies (can be modified to use what you have on hand)

7. Craft Stick Ornaments from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas: So many different ways to create ornaments using craft sticks! Make them for your own tree or make some for a friend(s)! Cost: Crafts sticks: $2.49, Glue: .50, Paint: $3-10 depending on the brand (can be used for MANY more projects)

8. Lid Ornaments: Use jingle bells, pompoms, tinsel, sequins, stickers or other small bits of holiday materials to create ornaments using a lid and glue. Lids of jars work best (my mom just so happens to have a can opener that leaves smooth edges around the can lid. Cost: free if you own glue and holiday materials, Glue: .50, Holiday bits: $1-3

9. Kid-Friendly Felt Christmas Tree by I Can Teach My Child: It's no surprise I love this because it's made out of FELT! Decorate the tree over and over and over again. Cost: depends on materials on hand, Felt by the yard: $2.50-$5 + cost of scraps

10. Holiday Mail for Heroes: Such a simple activity that allows children (and you!) to thank those who serve our country. Cost: free if you own holiday cards, Cards: $1-3

What Fun & Frugal Activities are part of your Christmas?

Find more ideas on my Christmas Pinterest board.

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