I’m sharing this with a special group of guys and girls, not necessarily in that order, who are looking at walking down the aisle sometime in the future and need a boost. Upon more reflection of the ingredients, you’ll see some common ingredients needed for the final results of this energy bar and your customized wedding.

. the recipe says “rich in the nutty taste of pecans” – our twist, we’re all nuts when it comes to weddings, destination weddings and saying “I DO”
. naturally sweetened with dates – our twist, brides need all the sweetening they can get, especially under certain circumstances. Like on a potential overcast wedding day, on a day when the color red is NOT cranberry, when a white gazebo better be WHITE, when the wedding time you want has an EXTRA charge, when you tell your family and guests it is an all-inclusive…oh yea, adults only – don’t smile too much, when your destination wedding travel planner says she’s going out of town for a week, how dare her…
. nutrient-packed, herbs and fruit will keeping your blood sugar steady. Our twist, with the wedding venue-packed, colors, cakes, flavors, flowers chair covers and aisles you’ll need to keep your sense of humour steady. Big and little details for your Big Day. Know what’s included, what’s NOT included. Preheat, cover, flatten, chopped, toasted or manicures, pedicures, makeup, honeymoon package. How windy is going to be? Up-do, down-do, never do, always do?
. rich in flavor, our twist, your personalized wedding should be rich in personal touches and emanate who you are, what you like, no artificial ingredients, not someone else’s ideas. The rich experience of your special day includes adding benefits (like adding vitamins, frosting, pecans not peanuts) we add rehearsal excursions, welcome cocktails, semi-private or private receptions and parties, spa days with your bridesmaids, laughter and happy tears, customized welcome and thank you gifts and photographs that give you proof of life, rich in experiences, your bragging rights!  Believe in our Recipe for Destination Wedding Boosters.

Bet you didn’t think there was going to be a recipe with ingredients for your Bride-To-Be Energy Booster Bars! Well here it is:

8 ounces pecans (2 cups), 5 3/4 ounces rolled oats (2 cups)*, 8 1/4 ounces pitted and halved dates (1 1/2 cups), 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 8 ounces chopped granny smith apples (or similar) (2 cups).

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Line baking sheet w/parchment paper, spread pecans and oats in a single flat layer. Bake in oven 10-15 minutes, until toasted and fragrant.

3. Keep the oven preheated to 350°F. Line an 8″ square pan or a 12″ x 5 1/2″ biscotti pan with parchment paper, leave enough parchment on the sides to use as handles for pulling out the finished bars.

4. Place toasted nuts and oats in a food processor along with dates, cinnamon and salt. Process the mixture to coarse and crumbly with no large pieces. Add the chopped apple and pulse in until there are no longer any large chunks left. Continue until everything starts to clump together, use a spatula to help move things around. (your coordinator does this with your wedding venue and details) This process may move slowly (like some wedding planning when it involves friends and family), but eventually everything should come together (with a Destination Weddings Travel Specialist on your team).

5. Transfer mixture to prepared pan, (transfer all your guests travel planning needs to your travel coordinator) using a wide, flat spatula to pat it down into a flat and compact layer that takes up the entire space of the pan. (for guests give direct contact information to your destination wedding planner and don’t answer any more questions) It helps to fold the extra parchment on the sides over the bars, and flatten with the spatula on top of the parchment (prevent sticking). Be patient with this (and your bridesmaids’  travel); the bars will look the exact same once they’re done baking, so try to make them really flat and even. (they’ll be beautiful no matter what dress(s) you choose)

6. Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Cool 10-15 minutes, slice into bars. Once completely cool, lift out of the pan. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Notes: *To make these bars gluten-free, use gluten-free rolled oats. To make your wedding stress-free retain our destination wedding travel specialist.

~thank you travel partners Goway for the recipe and inspiration

stimulated again

Pamela (PJ) Ott, Road Warrior, Director of Romance, Special Events Planner Wild Side Destinations & Destination Weddings.travel