The real name for these delicious after-school morsels is "Sunflower Seed Butter Crunch Bars".

Knowing Ella would put her nose up to something that remotely sounded healthy, I opted to shorten them to "Butter Crunch Bars" when she asked me what I was making the other day. *wink*

After-school snacks are always a bit of a struggle. 

As a parent, I want to feel good about giving Ella something without all of the sugar and processed junk in typical snacks...but also something she is excited to eat because it actually tastes good. 

These delicious butter crunch bars are the exact thing Ella and I have both been looking for.

They are filled with good-for-you ingredients, are easy to whip up, and are quite tasty! (maybe even a little addicting). 

Adding the little heart sprinkles was a complete after-thought but...

how cute would these be for a guilt-free indulgence on Valentine's Day?!

I hope you'll try the recipe! It's definitely a winner.

And so is the cookbook it came from!

PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.

Subscribe here to have new blog posts delivered right to your inbox.

Enjoy the recipe - Pin It for later!!

Yield: 24 - 1 inch squares

Author: Jess - Pen + Paper Flowers

Guilt-Free Butter Crunch Snack Bars (adapted from the Eat What You Love Cookbook)

Delicious, no-bake wholesome treats for after school, or packed lunches.

ingredients:

• 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
• 2/3 cup plus 3 TBSP pure maple syrup
• pinch of fine sea salt
• 1 - 3.5oz. Lindt Bar, chopped
• 1 - TBSP or more of Godiva bittersweet chips 
• 2 tsp virgin coconut oil
• 1 cup unsweetened sunflower seed butter
• 1/2 cup arrowroot powder
• 6 TBSP coconut flour
• 1/4 cup melted raw cacao butter
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• NUT FREE VERSION: Skip the pecans altogether. (also eliminating 3 TBSP maple syrup and pinch of sea salt). 

instructions:

How to cook Guilt-Free Butter Crunch Snack Bars (adapted from the Eat What You Love Cookbook)

1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a small bowl combine finely chopped pecans, 3 TBSP maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Stir to coat evenly. Spread on baking sheet in single layer.
4. Bake for 15 minutes or until syrup is bubbling.
5. Remove from oven.
6. Using coconut oil, lightly grease sides and bottom of 8x11 glass baking pan.
7. Line bottom and long sides of pan with parchment, allowing ends to hang over sides of pan. (will be used as handles for lifting finished bars from pan).
8. Place chopped Lindt bar in 1 cup measuring cup. Add 1 TBSP or more of Godiva chips to fill the rest of the measuring cup.  Add 2 teaspoons of coconut oil plus measured chocolate in top pan of double boiler and set aside. 
9. Add 2 inches of water to bottom pan of double boiler and bring to boil. Add top pan with chocolate and oil and remove from heat. Allow to sit and melt while moving forward with the rest of the directions. 
10. In a medium bowl, add sunflower seed butter, 2/3 cup maple syrup , arrowroot powder, coconut flour, cacao butter, vanilla, 1/2 tsp. salt. Stir together. Add candied pecans and press mixture into prepared pan. 
11. Stir melted chocolate in double boiler. Pour chocolate over sunflower butter mixture. Using spatula, gently spread chocolate to cover and smooth top. Cover with plastic wrap. Chill for 1 hour or overnight. 
12. Gently lift parchment flaps to remove slab from pan. 
13. Use a sharp knife to cut into 1 inch square bars.
14. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
15. Keeps for up to 2 weeks. 

Calories
150.88

Fat (grams)
13.10

Sat. Fat (grams)
2.80

Carbs (grams)
7.14

Fiber (grams)
1.37

Net carbs
5.77

Sugar (grams)
3.19

Protein (grams)
3.06

Sodium (milligrams)
100.75

Cholesterol (grams)
0.00

https://www.pnpflowersinc.com/2020/01/Guilt-Free-Dessert-Butter-Crunch-Snack-Bars.html

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @pnpflowers on instagram and hashtag it #pnpflowersrecipe

Created using The Recipes Generator

KEEPING IT REAL

I wasn't supposed to be eating these until after my whole30 is finished - 5 more days...

but I just HAD to sample to be able to give you an accurate review. *wink*

Moving Forward...

The place we've called home for the last 7 years was put on the market and 14 days later it sold.
New beginnings are never easy...mostly because of the letting go we are forced to do.

I think you guys know I didn't want to say goodbye...there are so many things we are going to miss.

But I think what tugs at my heartstrings the most are the memories we leave behind.
For me I feel like the memories become embedded in the walls, windows, doors, and foundation of our homes. As much as we carry memories with us in our hearts and minds...I feel like there are so many "memory treasures" left behind. As if they are held prisoner within the walls and can only be unlocked by those who had to leave them behind. Does that even make sense? Or is that just too deep? lol

Although, truth be told, I do have to say there are some painful parenting memories I will be glad to leave behind. Watching children struggle and battle the ugly things this world tries to destroy them with (aka teenage years) has certainly left me feeling helpless at times.

Not going to lie. There were some rough, rough seasons; Parts of parenting I just quietly battled behind the fun projects and happy blog posts I was sharing here at the same time. And friends, that's just keeping it real.

You have no idea how many times I wanted to pour my heart out here on the blog about specific struggles we were going through but my desire to honor and respect the privacy of my family kept me quiet. (and will continue to keep me quiet).

And honestly, I'm a pretty private person...believe it or not. (ironic, considering I'm a blogger).
Wait a minute.
Actually, truth be told, if there weren't other people's feelings and character involved I would gladly spill the beans about everything in my life. (most everything anyway). *wink*

I have to say there are still ongoing battles that rip this mama's heart out.
So...as much as I will miss our beautiful home on Oak Cluster...
I am also looking forward to MOVING FORWARD.

I have felt stuck for some time and didn't even realize it.
I think making new memories...
creating a new home...
in a new area...
will offer me a chance to regroup, recharge and rekindle so many things that have fallen by the wayside. It's just what sort of happens when we are distracted (or buried) under the thick of adversity.

And friends, let me tell you...
no matter how pretty the Instagram squares are...we all struggle.
There isn't a person on the planet right this second that isn't dealing with something hard.
Our "hards" will all look very different, because we are very different people experiencing life in sometimes dramatically different ways.

So, no matter what your "hard" might be...
it's my hope that you will find strength in knowing you, (we) are not alone.
Sometimes, just knowing that or hearing those words can bring the greatest of comfort.
I know personally how true that is.

xoxo
Jess

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Geez...maneez!
I'm obviously in a very reflective, contemplative mood today.
But whatever....I'm just going with it.

Looking forward to sharing all about the new house + community soon!

iNSPiRE | Slow Down

CLICK HERE to Watch this video...

It's for all the mamas out there feeling their heartstrings being tugged on as we say goodbye to the Summer of 2016 with our kiddos and hello to a new school year! Or for any mama out there feeling the feels only us mamas feel. *wink*

Love you all...
Jessica

P.S. Thanks for sharing this with me Allison!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I never want Summer to end...and of course, it always does. *frown*
P.S. The song is "Slow Down" by Nichole Norman

FREE | Monthly Blog Hop Printables :: Back-to-School

As of yesterday…school is officially in session in my neck of the woods.

To celebrate…or in my case to get my mind off of the fact that Summer is officially over and my baby is in Kindergarten...

I'm sharing some adorable FREE Back-to-School printables that should knock your school-uniform socks off. *wink*

The Blog Hop this month has everything from calendars to cool lunch box notes, hipster bookplates and first day of school photo signs. 

Be sure to HOP over to each of these fabulous blogs to check out the full details of each of these cute printables and of course…to download them for FREE.

Bulldog Bookplates - Hostess with the Mostess

Lunchbox Notes - Catch My Party

Good Morning Sunshine Routine Checklist - Kori Clark

Grade School Photo Signs - Skip to My Lou

Weekly School Calendar - Living Locurto

Lunchbox Back-to-School Stickers - Nest of Posies

Weekly School Planner - No Biggie

I Love You Because Art Prints - Pen N' Paper Flowers

FROM TOP - LEFT TO RIGHT

Weekly School Planner - No Biggie

Bulldog Bookplates - Hostess with the Mostess

Good Morning Sunshine Morning Routine Checklist - Kori Clark

Eat Up Lunchbox Back-to-School Stickers - Nest of Posies

Lunchbox Notes - Catch My Party

I Love You Because Art Prints - Pen N' Paper Flowers

Grade School Photo Signs - Skip to My Lou

Weekly School Calendar - Living Locurto

Now go on and get your "Blog Hop" on…

and tell your mom-friends and teacher friends too!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

Ella is LOViNG Kindergarten.

Ema is indifferent to being a Sophomore.

Clara doesn't start college until next week.

So far so good. *wink*

SHARE | Heart Strings Tug O' War

With the first day back-to-school just days away I'm in the middle of a fierce game of Tug O' War…
With my heartstrings. *sigh*

The back-and-forth feelings of excitement about my girls growing up…
and…well...the mommy heartache about my girls growing up.
Not to mention the fact that Summer will be officially over. *frown*
Noooo!!! It's seriously my favorite!!

So…with my current emotional state...I was trying to decide on what fun free printable to offer you for the Blog Hop this month. (the theme being "Back-to-School"). I was persuaded, (by my heart strings of course), to create something simple and cute to show my girls how much I love them. Sappy, right? That's okay. I'm down with sappy.

Anyway, cute lunch box notes definitely crossed my mind but the age differences between my girls doesn't really warrant one design - it'd have to be two….maybe even three different design styles to fit their ages. And honestly…I just don't have the time for three different designs. Just keeping it real.

So…yes...instead of cute teacher printables or something related directly to the school day, I decided to go with something that would focus, instead, on bringing me back to center in the middle of all of the hustle and bustle a new school year brings; Something that would encourage myself AND my girls, to pause, (even for just a minute), to be reminded of how much I love each of them…and why. 

So here's what I came up with...

GIFT IDEA FOR KIDS | Care for Our World Play Set

Over the Thanksgiving break, Ella and I found ourselves on several occasions crafting and doing puzzles together. As we were setting up this "Care for Our World Play Set" I realized I hadn't ever shared this on the blog and what better time than now - as you are searching for fun gifts for the holidays.

As an brand ambassador for Live Inspired aka Compendium, when I received this item last year, along with some other special treats they sent me, I was in love with it immediately. Without trying to sound like a commercial, I have to say I was really impressed with the high quality of this "punch-out the pieces and assemble" interactive play set and even more than that I was drawn in by the pretty colors and the overall design. The play set comes with over 2 dozen animals, birds, insects, frogs, trees, bushes, a little boy and girl and a coordinating book. The box it all comes in is also a sturdy storage box to neatly tuck in the punch out cards and pieces and there's room for the book too when you are done.

The more Ella and I have continued to play with it, the more impressed I am. As a designer, I really appreciate the small details that most people might overlook. These pieces are double-sided but even more than that, the double-sided images are not the exactly the same. For instance, when you look at the front of the panda bear shown in the background of the picture above, you see it's face and you'll notice it's holding a leaf. 

However, when you flip the panda over, instead of seeing the same image on the backside, you instead are actually looking at the "BACK" of the panda, which has a little grasshopper sitting on the panda's shoulder. (Ella's pointing to it in the photo above). All of the pieces are like that! I LOVE that. It would've been just as easy to create this play set using the same exact image on both sides. The fact that the artist/designer went above and beyond is something I really, really appreciate. 

I love that you can attach the butterflies, birds and other animals to the trees and bushes. (Or even attach them to the animals like Ella did to the bear. (see photo above).

Again, as Ella and I continue to get this out and play with it, I've begun to recognize the sheer brilliance of this clever "toy".  Not only does it provide the obvious - imaginative play; Kids are also using eye-hand coordination when assembling the pieces and then the play set actually becomes a PUZZLE when the kids take the pieces apart and put them back into their cards during clean up.

We haven't even talked about the important message the book helps teach children:
"…inspire children to care for the earth they call home: a timely reminder of the responsibility every generation shares to nurture and respect life in all its many forms." Pretty awesome, right?

I'm all about giving my kids "toys" that are fun AND educational.
It's one of the reasons I love Chick-Fil-A so much but that's another blog post! Ha!

So if you share my passion for giving high-quality educational gifts, this one is a must!
You can purchase the Care For Our World Book all on it's own or you can get the Care For Our World Play Set which includes the book. I highly recommend the play set - for sure!

Being a Live Inspired Brand Ambassador has afforded me with the opportunity to fall more deeply in love with the products I've been in love with for years now! And to keep up with the beautiful new things they continue to add to the Live Inspired Website.  I hope you can see beyond the "ad-like specifics" of the products I share sometimes and see my heart in the photographs and details instead! *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL
This will be one of those things I will stash away for my "grandchildren" - yes I said grandkids.
I'm sure I'm decades away from being a grandmother, (that's what I'm telling myself), but I've been tucking away my favorite toys the girls have loved on and outgrown for some time now. Toys I feel are or will be classics that might be hard to find when my babies start having their own babies. Is that weird that I do that?

SiMPLE | Sweetheart Sandwich

I thought we'd start things off this week with something sweet and simple.

If you follow me on Pinterest or Instagram, you saw me post this last week...

Sweetheart Sandwich

FOR VALENTINE'S DAY AND MORE...

I had a couple of inquiries as to how to make it...

so I thought I'd share how quickly you can turn an ordinary pb&j into something extra special!
I'll let the photos do all of the talking...

SHARE | Favorite Christmas Party Ideas for Kids

Looking for creative things to do for a Classroom Holiday Party?

Or just looking to be inspired for the upcoming holidays?

Here are my favorite pins from the Pinterest Party I invited you to attend last night.

It was an hour of pure inspiration focused on "Christmas Party Ideas for Kids"!

Christmas Pancakes with Chocolate Peppermint Syrup 

for hosting a Santa's Breakfast Party

source: Raspberri Cupcakes

Adorable Clothespin Advent Calendar 

Use this idea for displaying party favors...and as a Christmas Card Holder too!

source: Designspiration

Cupcake Liner Christmas Trees

source: Tatertots and Jello

Milk Men

source: Bakerella

Adorable DIY Felt Ribbon Candy

source: Snap!

Reindeer Noses Party Favors

source: Bloom Designs Online

Snowman Macarons on Red Velvet Christmas Snow Cake

source: Raspberri Cupcakes

Candy Cane Float

source: Spicy Ice Cream

Adorable Gingerbread Man Packaging

source: a•muse studio

Candy Cane Clothespins

source: The Shabby Creek Shop

Peppermint Cake Pops

source: Jenny Cookies

DIY Candy Cane Cupcake Toppers

heat candy canes just enough to "shape" them as toppers

source: Icing Designs Online

Thanks to everyone who participated with us!

I was so inspired by all of the ideas that were shared.

I hope you were too.

And congratulations to the FiVE winners who received $50 Gift Cards from Pottery Barn Kids!!

A very special thanks to Pottery Barn Kids for sponsoring the Pin Party last night!!

If you missed out...

You can still see the entire "Christmas Party Ideas for Kids" Board 

there's a Pinterest Party happening every Tuesday night...

through December 18th.

A different topic every week!

Here are the links to all of  the Holiday Entertaining Pinterest Parties that have taken place so far:

Thanksgiving Entertaining Ideas

Merry Metallics Holiday Entertaining

Christmas Party Ideas for Kids

KEEPiNG iT REAL

As if I didn't already have an entire list of cute things I want to make for the holidays...

my list just got even longer after the Pinterest Party last night.

Maybe I should number the projects and do a raffle type drawing to determine which ones should get done? Ha!