Saving Money on Energy Bars

I eat a lot of Luna Bars and Larabars. At about $1.30 each, they’re quite an expensive habit. I realize they are somewhat similar to granola bars, but I don’t care for granola bars. I’ve found a couple of ways to save on these items, however.

1. Buy in bulk. If you have a favorite flavor, buying the whole case of 16 or so can save you as much as 25%.

2. Stock up when you’re at an inexpensive store or find a good sale. Buying these items from stores like Trader Joe’s generates a significant savings over buying them at Whole Foods or a conventional grocer (where health products are always overpriced).

3. Make your own! Here’s a recipe I like. Each bar costs around 80 cents after you make 2 batches (to offset the higher cost of certain ingredients that last a long time). It’s also incredibly fast and easy.

1 c. carob powder

1 c. honey

1 c. peanut butter

1 c. sunflower seeds

1 c. sesame seeds

1 c. non-instant oats

1/2 c. shredded coconut

Mix everything together. Form into bars. Coat lightly in coconut.

As an added bonus, they have a considerable shelf life and are great for hiking and camping trips. Also, if you keep the ingredients on hand, they are a good food to prepare if you get stuck in some sort of disaster since they require no cooking and the ingredients are nearly non-perishable.