Banana Oat Bars + A Stunning Autumn Leaf

This is so amazing, I had to share it with you on this first official day of Autumn!

I found the image last year and, unfortunately, the link no longer works to give credit where credit is due...but, it was created by Nature’s Art and they state: “Natural leaf carving is actual manual cutting and removal of a leaf’s surface to produce an art work on a leaf. The process of carving is performed by artists using tools to carefully remove the surface without cutting or removing the veins.” Stunning, no?!

And, now for some more real goodness...a simple, healthy, homemade breakfast bar using few ingredients! It's perfect for a weekday morning, a toddler breakfast, a picnic breakfast food, or an afternoon snack. We've used them this week for all of those things and they were met with high approval.

Banana Oat Breakfast Bars adapted from thekitchn.com

Ingredients: 2 large, very ripe bananas 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups rolled oats (not instant) 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt 1/4 cup pitted, chopped dried dates 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts Generous sprinkle of cinnamon

Directions:

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x9-inch square baking dish with butter.

Peel the bananas and mash them in a medium mixing bowl. Mash very thoroughly until no large chunks remain; the bananas will turn liquidy. Stir in the vanilla. Add the oats and stir them in. Then, stir in the salt, dates, hazelnuts, and cinnamon.

Spoon and pat the mixture evenly into the baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes or unti the edges just begin to brown and crisp up.

Allow the bars to cool before enjoying with a glass of milk or an iced coffee...mmm! Just cover the baking dish tightly with foil and store in the refrigerator. Will be good for at least 5 days, if they last that long!