Chewy Granola Bars & Giveaway Winners

Spring is here.  I saw a robin today.  I am elated.  Spring is a good time to make changes.  I am going to get back on track with healthy eating.  I am starting with this fabulous granola bar recipe.  It is all healthy and has very little fat or sugar added.  I actually used cashews because that is what I had in my pantry.  Try this recipe.  It is so good. But before we go on to the recipe, the winners of the Philadelphia Cream Cheese Giveaway are....drum roll please... Anonymous...gloria Valli at More Than Burnt Toast Barbara at Moveable Feasts I have emailed everyone.  Thank you to everyone who stopped by my blog for this event. This recipe has been adapted from the California Walnut Commission.
Chewy Granola Bars
3 cups old fashioned rolled oats 750 mL 1/4 cup all purpose unbleached flour 50 mL 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar 75 mL 1 tsp baking soda 5 mL 1 tsp cinnamon 5 mL 1 cup coarsely chopped California Walnuts 375 mL 1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries 125 mL 1/2 cup chocolate chips 125 mL 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds 125 mL 1/2 cup shredded coconut 125 mL 1/4 cup sesame seeds 50 mL 1/2 cup dried apricots 125 mL 1/2 cup butter, cut into small pieces 125 mL 1/2 cup honey 125 mL
Pre-heat oven to 325°F (160°C). In bowl, whisk together oats, brown sugar, flour, baking soda and cinnamon. Stir in walnuts, cherries, chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds, coconut and sesame seeds; set aside.In food processor, process apricots until broken up, about 1 minute. Add butter, process until a paste forms, about 1 minute. With motor running, pour in honey until well blended. Fold into oat mixture until well combined. Pat evenly and firmly into a parchment-lined 9 x 13-inch (23 x 33-cm) baking pan. Bake in the centre of oven until golden, about 30 minutes. Transfer to rack to cool completely.Cut into bars (2x12 rows or 8x3 rows) Makes 24 bars. Source: www.walnutinfo.com Nutritional content: Per bar: about 250 cal, 6 g pro, 14 g total fat (5 g sat. fat), 26 g carb, 3 g fibre, 10 mg chol, 85 mg sodium. %RDI: 2% calcium, 10% iron, 8% vit A.