You.Guys.
I am obsessed with these granola little bars. OBSESSED.
I love the fact they they are granola bars without peanut butter!
I had them when I was in California for Dole Summit 2014(more on the fabulous trip later in the post).
When I say, “I had them”, I mean I ate 3 in one sitting.
I actually had my friend Kristy from The Wicked Noodle get me my 3rd one so I didn’t look like such a pig.
Issues, I know.
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So when I got back from my trip, I literally made them as soon as I got home, running on 1 1/2 hours of sleep in 30 hours. I was a joy to be around, so my family left me to be in my own misery , I baked.
They are packed with all sorts of good for you stuff.
Makes it a little easier to justify eating 3 of them.
Recipe is at bottom of post.
More on Dole Summit 2014
Ohhhhhhh my, this was like one of the best work trips I have ever been on.
I was in great company with these other fabulous bloggers…
Amelia: Eating Made Easy
Pattie: Living Mi Vida Loca
Ally: Ally’s Kitchen
Katie: Once A Month Meals
Kristy: The Wicked Noodle
Catherine: Rabbit Food for My Bunny Teeth
Amy: Super Healthy Kids
Nikki: Seeded at the Table
Chrystal: Duo Dishes
Sara: Average Betty
Dole Package Foods whisked off to the Four Seasons Westlake Village in California.
I must say, The Four Seasons totally gets me. I walk into my room in the evening and there is a towel on the floor by the bed, so you don’t have to step on the bare carpet when you get out of bed. ahhhhhh.
The first night we were graciously greeted at Fords Filling Station in Culver City by Chef Ben Ford(he’s pretty darling) and had a variety of amazing dishes and libations!
The next morning we had a quick bite to eat on the beautiful Dole Campus.
Not a bad backdrop for breakfast.
This beautiful mural was painted on the wall of Dole.
We headed over to the Dole Kitchen (they are in the process of building a brand spankin’ new facility now).
There we learned about a bunch of new Dole products.
Did you know that Dole Package Food Products are NEVER genetically modified?
In addition to being non-GMO, all of their packaging is 100% BPA free.
The Fruit Squish’ems!we yum!
As you can see, Nikki and I enjoyed them.
The new Dole Shakers are pretty awesome as well.
You just add juice, preferably Dole Pineapple or oj, shake and you instantly have a smoothie! Kinda cool.
Ohhh, and the Dole Dippers….fogetttaboutit.
The Dole Fruit and Oatmeal and their boxed soups were all so amazing.
I love that Dole Package Foods works with hundreds of independent family farmers around the world to implement sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring the long term supply of quality fruit.
The soup tasted homemade..I was actually amazed at the flavor and texture.
Dole recently partnered with Mrs.May’s . I had never heard of her brand before. But O.M.G!
These veggie chips were addicting! Yes, veggie chips can be ADDICTING.
She also has some sweet products as well. Also equally amazing. Check out her website though, because she has lots of more products.
Annnnddddd, if all of the new Dole Packaged foods weren’t enough, we got treated to the rest of the day at the spa. ahhhhhh, Do you know how long it’s been since I received a massage? Probably like 15 years.
It was glorious.
That evening we noshed on some scrum-diddly-uptious food at Lure Fish House and Oyster Bar.
Myself and Christine from Rabbit Food For My Bunny Teeth
Our last day we were treated to a feast at the California Health and Longevity Institute Wellness Kitchen and took a tour of the property. How cute are we???? Myself and Nikki?
Photo Credit: Kristy Bernardo- The Wicked Noodle.
Ally from Ally’s Kitchen cooked up her Dole Jeruselum Fruit Tabbouleh.
Beautiful functional herb garden
A HUGE thank you to all of the wonderful Dole employees who took time out of their busy schedules to deal with us crazy girls. Every single one of the people I met from Dole was genuinely a kind and caring person who took great pride in their positions with Dole. They are like one big happy family. Maybe they will adopt me?
And thank you to Rogers|Finn Partners for putting this all together, it was truly one of the best “foodie trips” I have been on!
I almost forgot….The 6th Annual Dole Cook Off began on March 31st.
All you have to do is submit a special small plate grilling recipe that incorporates DOLE package food products for a chance to compete in the Grand Finale in LA on June 29th. Visit www.Dole.com/cookoff for all the deets.
- 1 1/4 cups Quick Cooking Oats
- 3 tablespoons Whole Wheat Flour
- 1/3 cup Wheat Germ, oat bran or Flax Seed
- 1/2 cups Almond Slivers
- 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt or Coarse Kosher Salt
- 3/4 cup Dried Cherries, or Dole Pitted Dates, chopped
- 1/4 cup Honey
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup Almond Butter
- 1/4 teaspoon Almond Extract
- 1/2 teaspoon Orange Zest
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Line an 8″ x 8″ pan with parchment paper with an overlap on each side of the pan.
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, flour, wheat germ, almonds, cinnamon and salt. Mix in the cherries.
- In a large bowl, thoroughly whisk the honey, olive oil, almond butter,almond extract and orange zest.
- Pour wet ingredients into the dry and mix well.
- Spread the batter into the prepared pan, and pack firmly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges begin to only slightly darken.
- Remove from oven and let cool in pan for 15 minutes. Using the overlap of the parchment paper, lift the bars out of the pan, place on rack and cool completely.
**Dole provided me with travel and accommodations for this trip to learn more about their products. I was not compensated for my time. All opinions are 100 % mine.
You’ve just reminded me that I have to send this bar recipe to a friend. They were so good! Lucky you to have that towel at your bed. Where was mine?! ha It was great to meet you!
I appreciate the fact that there is no peanut butter in this recipe. Seems like all the homemade granola bars have a peanut butter base.
You go on the best trips. Dole looks like a top notch company.
These granola bars are so perfect!!
They are amazing!
Okay, I have a few things to say…
FIRST…You’ve totally got me wanting to make those bars!! I’ve made the mango/banana/chia smoothie we had there numerous times already but now the bars will be made, too!!
SECOND…I totally laughed out loud when I read about how I got you your third bar – that was sooo funny!! Good times.
THIRD: I agree that this was, by far, one of the best work trips ever. And it was especially nice to see you again and spend time with you!!
HUGS and I miss you already!!
xoxoxoxo – Kristy
Thanks for the comment! Miss you too. I am sure our paths will cross again!
These bars were AWESOME!
One of the best blogging trips ever! I love that you took a photo of the towel next to the bed! haha! Can you believe I didn’t even notice it until our last day?? 🙂 So glad we met and I can’t wait until our next adventure…whenever that may be.
And, I totally think DOLE needs to use us in their ads for the Squish’ems. 😉
We could totally be in their ads! 😉
I too am completely obsessed with these, Leslie! Your version looks spectacular. Loved meeting you, Leslie!! xo
You’re too sweet Amelia! Loved meeting you as well!!
Wow, what fabulous photographs. And what a fun event it sounds, and the menu looks amazing 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Rachel.