Love your Heart

By: Jacqueline Gomes, RD, MBA

On Valentine’s Day we show our loved one’s appreciation with gifts like flowers, strawberries and chocolate!

Dark chocolate is known to have health benefits through the presence of flavanoid antioxidants and the ability to increase serotonin levels. New research is demonstrating that consuming chocolate may aid in improving mood and easing depressive symptoms.

If you’re planning on enjoying strawberries, you’ll be glad to know that…

• Just one serving of eight strawberries has more vitamin C than an orange – 110% of the recommended daily value.
• Strawberries are packed with beneficial antioxidants and nutrients including potassium, folate, and fiber.

Share something sweet with your loved ones by preparing these delicious breakfast bars. Add in a delicious cup of hot chocolate to make this a special Valentine’s Day breakfast.

Breakfast Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

Prep: 5 minutes

Makes: 9 Servings

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• ½ cup all natural almond butter
• 2 large bananas, mashed
• 2 Tbsp
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup strawberries, chopped
• ¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, mashed banana, almond butter and vanilla. Fold in strawberries.
3. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper. Pour batter into the pan. Top with coconut flakes and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan and cutting into 9 equal bars.

Nutrition information:

174 Calories; 6g Protein; 20g Carbohydrate; 9g Fat; 67mg Sodium; 4g Fiber