When I made Averie’s RAWking chocolate donut holes last week, I got to thinking that these were basically homemade Larabars. They were really good – and they were chocolate! I don’t know about you, but the chocolate Larabars leave much to be desired. I think I can do a little better. Wait, I DID do a little better! (Thank you Averie.)

Are you smelling what I’m smelling?

I’m gonna make me some MamaBars.

The only thing is, I’m kind of curious to know how many calories might be in a MamaBar versus a Larabar. I was in the mood for a little project tonight so I got to work.

I dug out my trusty food scale, a calculator, measuring cups and spoons and got to down to work on everyone’s favorite math problem: calorie math.

On the MamaBar ingredient list?

Raw cashews, dates, agave nectar, ground flax seed, coconut oil and cocoa powder.

Dates, dissected.

Into the food processor, a little peer down the food chute!

MamaBar dough ball ready, it’s time to zero out the scale. Put your empty bowl on the scale and press that little “0″ button. Oh 5th grade science class, you’re finally coming in handy.

I now know how much my entire mass of MamaBar dough weighs.

1 lb 1 oz = 17 ounces. Check. So how many calories in that MamaBar mass?

A special thanks to the food labels and Calorie Count for everything without a label (hello dates from produce and cashews from bulk), I got the numbers I needed to complete this part of my equation.

17 oz of MamaBar dough = 1888 calories.

Now to divide these puppies up into individual servings. I tore off a hunk that looked Larabar sized and weighed it. 2 oz looks about right, wouldn’t you say? Yeah, I think so too.

Shaped into 2 oz bars. (Turns out a Larabar is 1.8 oz. Go me!)

OK, so they aren’t the most attractive looking bars on the block.  Now I know why the Larabar wrappers aren’t transparent.

First layer, five bars. Second layer, three and a half bars.

Math check! 8.5 bars x 2 oz = 17 oz. Move to the head of the class!

And here they go, into the fridge.

So… 1888 calories, 8.5 servings. 1888 / 8.5 = 222 calories per serving. Pretty dang close to your average Larabar! But even better than that, these Chocolate MamaBars are way better than a chocolate Larabar in my (far from) humble opinion.

Dear Larabar, I still love you.  There will always be a place for you in my cupboard.

I like that these have coconut oil in them. Brendan Brazier sings the praises of coconut oil in Thrive, which is the first place I read about coconut oil and why it’s so good for us.

Coconut oil is rich in medium chain triglycerides. According to B-squared, (totally stole that from No Meat Athlete) the digestion of MCT’s is quick and easy. So instead of being stored in the cells like fat that doesn’t contain MCT’s, it’s converted by the liver into energy almost immediately. This is why coconut oil is an ideal energy source for athletes and is perfect to eat before or during a work out.

Or in my case, as a snack tomorrow when I need every ounce of energy to put Maxine’s shoes on over and over again.

Shew – my brain hurts. Calorie math takes a lot out of you. Class dismissed! And just in time dude, this lady was getting a little rambly…

• A Healthier Moose
• Whole Wheat* Pizza Crust
• When the Garmin Strikes Midnight

I woke up this morning at 5:45 4:45. Early (yikes) but I loved that I was able to go for my run in the LIGHT at 6:30!

For fall/winter running, I’ll agree to run outside if 2 out of 3 criteria are met:

1.) Warm
2.) Dry
3.) Light

Scenario A: If it’s raining (lightly) but warm? OK.

Scenario B: If it’s light out and cold? Sure.

Scenario C: Dark and cold but dry? Not my favorite but I’ll do it.

Scenario D: If it’s dark and wet and cold? Deal breaker.

Scenario B played out today. Sunny and 31 F? Let’s go! 5ish miles with two layers on top, gloves, and a cold neck that served as a great reminder to dig out the turtle necks for my lowest layer for next time.

Oh yeah, I did wear pants too – I’d like to believe that was implied, but I guess you never can be too sure with me.

On tap for breakfast today, Green Monsters!

Green Smoothies built for two:

2 bananas
A couple three handfuls of spinach
A generous pour of unsweetened vanilla hemp milk

+ one peeled and cored apple as an after thought

Zak liked it and even said “This is good!” Funny how that barely 6 months ago and he was drinking these and saying they tasted “healthy”. Thrice weekly green juice and a little time changes everything.

But wait? If the glasses are filled, what’s still in the blender?

Rinse water!

One of the big complaints I often hear for making smoothies, green or otherwise, is cleaning the blender. My favorite trick is to fill the blender with water once I’m done with it and run through a rinse cycle before anything has a chance to get cemented on.

All clean!

And ready to be put back in the cupboard! to be disassembled and thrown in the dishwasher.

Breakfast rocks when 2 out of 3 criteria are met:

1.) Healthy
2.) Easy clean up
3.) He likes it! He really likes it!

3 out 3 today! Score!

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Be sure to check out Erica from Itzy’s Kitchen at Health Blog Helper today!

• Stay at Home
• Scary Spoon
• A Day of Calorie Counting