Granola Bars! (Raw, no baking required)

So after making this recipe, I belong out west with the granola loving tree-huggers...

This recipe has been "tweaked" and adapted from http://www.therawtarian.com so I give full credit where it is due.

Start with dry ingredients:

2 cups dry oatmeal
2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup raw wheat germ (can also use flax meal)
1 cup shredded coconut
2 Tbs sesame seeds
2 Tbs chia seeds

...in a food processor:

1 cup almonds (or use sliced almonds)
1 1/2 cup dates (or use chopped dates)

add almonds and dates to dry ingredients

continue and add wet ingredients:

1/2 cup raisins
2 Tbs lemon juice
1 Tbs lemon peel (zest)
1 tsp vanilla
2 T honey
2 T tahini
1/4 cup peanut butter (optional and to replace tahini)

Mix together... I use my hands; its easier. When everything is mixed evenly, press into a cake pan (9X9) and refrigerate. I give it 30 minutes to harden and then cut into square bars. Wrap individual bars in saran wrap and keep refrigerated.

Other things you can add for fun:

substitute the tahini for peanut butter
use sliced almonds and chopped dates
cocoa powder for a chocolate craving
apples- chop them finely or in a food processor

Enjoy! And please leave comments with suggestions and experimentation!