Kale makes homemade granola bars.

As much as I'd love to report that Kale doesn't eat any processed snacks, it couldn't be any further from the truth. I can say that all the processed snacks we give him are organic, but to be totally honest, I don't know how much better that actually is. I mean, Galen Weston tells me his organic brand is good for my toddler, but this woman and her research published in the Journal of Public Health tells me I ought to be careful. It's tough to know who to believe these days (you're picking up the sarcasm here, right?).

Anyway, lately Kale has developed a mild severe addiction to granola bars - or 'Ola bars, as he calls them. Am I actually supposed to say no to the most adorable two year old EVER when he's asking for an 'ola bar? An "'ola bar," people. It doesn't get much cuter. Ms. Journal of Public Health has probably never had to say no to a two year old asking for an 'ola bar.

Oh, another important piece of this story? Kris eats the same thing for lunch every.single.day - a turkey sandwich, a piece of fruit, and a granola bar. Addictions are clearly hereditary.

Ok - back on track here. So Kale is addicted to 'ola bars. Ms. Journal of Public Health got me a little worried about the processed snacks I was feeding my kid (but they're organic!). And I mean, honestly, no mother wants to feed their kid processed snacks, right? And I could use the excuse that I have no time to make homemade snacks, but I'm trying to be honest in this post, so I'll just tell you - I cannot bake. I am a terrible, terrible baker.

But my urge to do right by my son pushed me on and I looked for a recipe and I found this one and I dragged Kale into the impending disaster and together - we baked.

Since Kale learned to count to ten, he's pretty much the king of measuring. He went through this stage where he always left the number 2 out, and that caused a bit of an issue, but he's on the straight and narrow these days. I mean, sometimes he starts at four so it's still good to pay attention.

Baking is fun, but baking a homemade granola bar while eating a processed cooking is better, am I right?

Remember when I said addictions are hereditary? Apparently so are dislikes. As in, I very much dislike getting honey or jam on my hands. When we go out for breakfast When we used to go out for breakfast, I would immediately remove the jam and honey from the table.

So there is this part in the recipe where you have to mix the ingredients, including a well of honey, with your hands. I tried to pawn this off on Kale, but he may dislike the feeling of honey more than me. At least he protests much, much louder.

 Verdict - homemade granola bars were actually quite easy to make and very, very delicious. The only downfall is that the recipe says they are only good for up to three days.

I'll let you know if they're bluffing on day four.


If you feed your toddler processed snacks, give us a vote (I should be #1 by the end of the night)!