March 14, 2011

Energy/Protein Bars

As a girl on the go, I eat my fair share of bars. It is a rare day that you would find me without some sort of bar in my bag or car. And the day that you do run into me hungry and without a bar,,,watch out!
I try to choose bars that are as natural and minimally processed as possible. Best case scenario, I make my own!

Ingredients:*
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/3 cup nut butter (I used peanut butter in these, but almond is my fav)
1 scoop protein powder
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup chocolate chips
2 TBSP Agave or Honey (optional- to sweeten)

** If choosing to make these bars Raw or Living. Just choose all raw ingredients.**
*You want your ratio of coconut oil to nut butter to stay similar to this, but everything else is completely up to your preference! Ive added all sorts of things such as banana, dried cherries and other fruit, cacao powder, various seeds and nuts. You can also play with the amounts of these to get the texture of you bar as "gritty" as you desire.

1) Melt coconut oil in a saucepan over low heat. Stir in nut butter. Once well blended remove from heat.
(If you are following a strict raw diet, melt your oil by placing it in a bowl of warm water)

2) Stir in all other ingredients, starting with ingredients that really need to mix in well (protein powder) and ending with ingredients that may melt if added when mixture is warm (chocolate chips).

3) Pour mixture into a tin foil lined baking tray of sorts. Its OK if mixture is not very deep.

4) Place in freezer for about 30 mins

5) Cut into bars!

You should store these in the fridge as coconut oil will melt above about 75. Keep in mind these are not a low calorie food! But they are a great, nutritious, and tasty way to get energy in a hurry! Would make a great, easy to eat,  breakfast bar for you breakfast skippers! 

If you think of any great flavor combos or things to add in, please leave them in the comments below! :)

3 comments:

  1. Oh yummy, Im going to make some soon. Thank you for the recipe!!!!

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  2. Cant wait to hear how you like them!

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  3. Im crazy crazy crazy about energy bars. Have you ever had a Prana bar?
    It's crazy though, Ive never made my own. That's certainly going to change though :)

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Always excited to hear your thoughts or have you share ideas!