The snow is melting and the milder weather has set in.  I hope it lasts.  Peering out the window and seeing all that WHITE is old news now.  It’s time for some greenery. 

We’ve set the clocks forward, a sure sign Spring is around the corner.  The disadvantage to the “Spring Forward” deal is that in the morning, when returning from my run, it’s STILL dark.  At night, it’s light out BUT what can you do with it?  The ground, where it isn’t still covered in snow, is soggy wet.  It’s a mess. You can’t do anything outside yet.   It’s a tease.   There are however some brave cycling souls:  the MVBC is hosting a ride tonight (Tues.) at 4:30 pm.  Easy ride for a couple of hours.  As for me, still too cold to get on the “two-wheeler”.

Todays Run:  I THOUGHT I was going to have TWO running partners. Ted said he’d go for a nice run with Shane and I.  But that was before he saw the temperature of 23 degrees.  He said “I’ll go tonight”.   Shane and I did a solo run of  3 1/2 miles.  3 miles on the treadmill before that with a weight workout for back and shoulders. So far this week, I’m a bundle of energy.  Feels so good!  12 1/2 miles yesterday (8 @ MP) and 6 1/2 today,with a ride on the recumbent bike last night for 30 minutes after a weight workout for chest and arms.  I must be eating something good to give me all this fuel. Be right back

The cookie bar

A quick snack in a pinch.  These have a shortbread bottom with a crumbly topping.  In the middle is your all time favorite 100% natural fruit preserves. 

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I happen to like seedless blackberry.

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Makes one  9 x 9 tray. Servings depend on how you slice it.

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  • 2 sticks Promise Healthy Heart margarine (or Smart Balance or use unsalted butter) – room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups Demerara sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 cups nut flour (such as almond flour OR grind some nuts up very fine but be careful not to grind to a paste/butter).
  • 1 1/4 cups Your Favorite 100% All Natural Fruit Preserves
  • cinnamon for dusting

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a large bowl, beat the margarine with the sugar, vanilla, and salt..

Combine the flours then mix into the margarine mixture.

Spray a 9×9 pan with non stick spray. Press half of the dough into the pan.

Spread the preserves over the dough.  Crumble the remaining half of the dough on top of the preserves.

Bake for 30 minutes.

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That sure doesn’t look like a bar, does it?  Looks more like a fruit crumble.   Well, that happens to be a terrific way to serve this piping hot from the oven with a scoop of whip cream or ice cream to melt all over it.

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OR… you can wait until the treat cools down then cut into bars

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Either way, these quick and very, very easy treats are delicious. 

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Of course you can make them healthier than what I’ve done.  Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Reduce sugar to 1 cup.
  2. Use 1 cup of whole wheat flour plus 1 cup of rolled oats.
  3. If you don’t want a bar/dessert that is quite so sweet, use fresh fruits such as sliced strawberries, blueberries, or even banana in the middle instead of preserves.

Shane says…

I’ll take one JUST the way you made it! WOOF!

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