RECIPES: Chewy Fruit and Flax Granola Bars

4 cups old-fashioned oatmeal

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup dried cranberries

1 cup chopped dates (I used 2 cups of dried cranberries and no dates)

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup sliced almonds

1/4 cup whole flax seeds (I used ground flax seeds)

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup honey

1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil

4 egg whites

Heat oven to 325. Grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. In large bowl, stir ingredients together until mixture is completely moist and coated. Firmly press mixture into prepared baking pan using a rubber spatula. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until bars are light and golden brown. Cool completely. Cut 9 rows and 3 rows. Wrap individual bars tightly with plastic wrap. Store in airtight container.

Nutritional Information per serving (1 bar): Calories 171; Total Fat 5 g; Sodium 97 mg; Total Carbohydrate 30 g;Dietary Fiber 3 g; Protein 4 g; Sugars 17 g