Cranberry Orange Granola Bars

Cranberry Orange Granola Bars – Is your sweet tooth getting in the way of your resolutions? These tasty snacks satisfy that craving without making you fall off the wagon!

A new year is a good reminder of the importance of healthy eating, whether weight loss is a concern (that’s always been a struggle for me) or just maintaining overall wellness. The thought of improving eating habits is something that crosses many minds in January, and let’s face it, changing eating habits is really hard. Many people start the new year out with high hopes and plans for improving their health, but then fizzle out by the end of February. I’ve noticed this phenomenon at the gym. In January all of the treadmills and elliptical machines are filled with New Year’s optimists, but by mid-February the parking lot is less full and I have my pick of machines.

Another thing I’ve observed in five years of being a home health nurse is that many people take an all-or-nothing approach to their wellness. I hear things from patients like, “I’ve tried to diet in the past, but it never works for me.” Or, “I can’t eat healthy food, I just don’t like fruits and vegetables.” Lots of I can’ts, I’ve tried’s, and I’ve failed’s, so now it’s not worth trying at all. It’s a form of discouraged nutrition perfectionism.

What I tell my patients, many of whom have decades of very poor eating habits behind them, is that it’s okay to be imperfect! It’s not about a “diet” or even how many pounds you lose, it’s about the small victories that make you healthier in the end, compared to if you hadn’t tried at all. You will soon lose your motivation if you set unrealistic goals or associate imperfection with failure.

When it comes to wellness, my Achilles heel is sweet treats. I have no problem eating gobs of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and such. But then, when I’m done eating healthful foods all day, I want a treat. I like to think I have a wily sweet tooth that causes me all sorts of problems and that it’s not my fault… but we all know the truth. 😉 Part of how I keep my sweet tooth in check is by making sweets that are mostly healthy, but that keep me from sneaking my son’s leftover Christmas candy from the back of the pantry.

Today’s recipe for Cranberry Orange Granola bars is a snack to satisfy that sweet tooth. It’s a combination of whole grain goodness, nuts, dried fruit and a touch of white chocolate. I love the winter flavors in this recipe, and all of the protein and fiber is good for curbing hunger. I like packing these when I work. I often don’t have much time for lunch and my work days can be pretty stressful, making it harder for me to resist temptation. These are a naturally sweetened snack to get me through the day!

I want to encourage you to celebrate the healthy choices you’re going to make this year. Celebrate your victories and don’t let your mistakes hold you back from the good choice you have the opportunity to make tomorrow!

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