I talk a lot on my blog about how a meal is so much a part of one's life. Without it, conversations would be lost. Memories forgotten. Because one dish can take you back in time. That meal may have a story. 

Lately, life is getting a bit busy and I find that I put off writing on this space. I put off taking the time to tell my stories. I write a quick post just to get it done. To have something to show for the month. It just hasn't felt like me.

I was scrolling through some of my old posts today, ones from 4 or even 6 years ago. Each one was so unique. And I remember writing just about every one I looked at. I remember what kitchen I was in. Where I was in that moment of my life. I remember snapping a blackberry tart on the floor of my second St. Louis apartment. The blackberry juice was running everywhere. I remember shooting almond butter cookies in my law school apartment. I took pictures of them on my phone on my tiny balcony that was pretty much entirely covered in pots of herbs and one crappy plastic chair I would sit on and read my law books. In a way, my blog - and many blogs out there - is a journal of life. I've had this blog for 8 years now (umm how is this possible?!). It has sure changed over the years, but it changes with me. 

I guess the point of all of this is that meals are important. Food is important. Our stories are important. They shape who we are and who we become. 

When I look back on this post, I'll probably think of the weekend that I made these oatmeal raisin bars. In our 2 bedroom apartment in St. Louis' Central West End. On a rainy, dreary Sunday. With my daughter sitting in her bouncy seat. I tested a few batches and photographed them on my balcony. My husband held my daughter in the doorway and she watched me. I'll probably remember that life was really crazy during this time. Even stressful at times. But it was also really sweet. <3 

Oatmeal Raisin Bars

• 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats

• 3/4 cup oat flour

• 2 Tablespoons ground flaxseed

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 2 eggs, slightly beaten

• 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup

• 1 Tablespoon coconut oil

• 1/2 cup raisins

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Make the oat flour by placing 3/4 cup roll oats in a food processor and processing until ground into a flour. (You can also buy oat flour at the store in the baking/flour section.)

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the oat flour, oats and flaxseed. Add in the baking soda, salt, cinnamon and stir to combine. Add in the eggs, vanilla, honey/maple syrup and coconut oil and stir until completely combined. Stir in raisins.

4. Pour batter into a 9x5 or 10x5 inch bread pan lined with parchment paper.

5. Bake for 18 minutes. Takeout and let cool. Lift out parchment to remove bars and place on cutting board and cut into squares. Store in airtight container at room temperature for the week.

These bars are perfect for breakfast or mid morning snack! I recommend baking them on a Sunday and enjoying them all week!