02/04/2026
February is Heart Health Month! ❤️ Our Registered Dietitian, Therese, is often asked how to snack smarter and have more energy, all without sacrificing flavor. Protecting your heart doesn't mean boring food—it means choosing ingredients that work for you.
Today, we're sharing one of Therese's go-to Heart-Healthy Energy Bars. This blend is formulated to be lower in sugar and packed with antioxidants and fiber to help support healthy cholesterol levels.
Recipe:
1 cup organic rolled oats
2/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup h**p seeds
1/2 cup creamy chocolate or regular almond butter (soften in microwave if it’s firm)
1/3 cup honey (use 1/4 cup if you want them less sweet!)
Dash pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup dark or semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup unsweetened dried cranberries
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
2. Combine oats, coconut and h**p seeds in large bowl.
3. Add nut butter, honey and vanilla. Stir with rubber spatula to combine.
4. Stir in chocolate chips and cranberries until evenly distributed.
5. Use a 2-3” heart-shaped cookie cutter as a mold to form the granola hearts. Press the mixture into the mold onto prepared baking sheet. Use pressure until flat, making sure you fill the cutter completely. Lift up the cookie cutter and simultaneously push the granola down to release. Repeat and space them apart from each other.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are golden brown. Let cool before carefully removing with a metal spatula. If you use a smaller heart cookie cutter, check for doneness at 10-12 minutes. Makes about a dozen, depending on size.
Serve as a bar or pair with Greek Yogurt and Berries for a healthy, energy-driven snack!
Therese works hand-in-hand with your Family Practice of Middletown provider. To discuss Therese and kicking off a healthier 2026, please call FPM at 732-671-0860 to schedule an appointment with your FPM primary care provider.
