Chewey Pumpkin Granola Bars

This is an awesome mid-day snack, very filling and yummy. Perfect with a cup of steaming hot green tea.

Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup unprocessed bran
1/2 wheat flakes
1 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup flax seed meal
3 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup white beans cooked soft and pureed
1 can organic pumpkin
6 oz plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1 cup unsweetened apple sauce (can replace with barley malt if concerned about sugars)
5 dried apricots chopped and soaked in hot water
5 dried dates chopped and soaked in hot water
raw pumpkin seeds and raw sliced almonds

1. Toast oats and wheat flakes in a dry skillet over medium heat
2. In a large bowl whisk together all dry ingredients including toasted oats and wheat flakes
3. Add wet ingredients and blend until well moistened. Mixture should be moist but not too wet and not too crumbly
4. Line a 9x13 glass Pyrex dish with parchment paper
5. Spread mixture and using a piece of parchment paper press the mixture into the pan so it is even and smooth
6. Sprinkle raw pumpkin seeds and raw sliced almonds on top and press in to top of mixture
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes
8. Cut into bars and cool completely on a wire rack