DIY Homemade Protein Bars

On The Go "Food":

Lots of folks do "dash board dining", swinging through a drive through and eating whatever it is they serve, over the steering wheel. This presents very serious health risks due to "bad fats", calorie laden, fiber stripped, processed, chemical brewed "foods", that have little or no whole food value to them.

Some have tried to be a bit more prepared and health conscience, buying protein or meal replacement bars. After spending a "fortune" on protein bars, that are "subpar" as far as ingredients and taste go, I came up with my own DIY protein "bar" recipe. (see below) It replaces protein bars bought at the store and all the "junk" in them.

At least when I make these I know the ingredients are "whole foods" and "good for you" :-)

I have a friend that has and "aversion" to the "kitchen" and if I even mention an oven, it's too "complicated"! LOL It really doesn't take long to make a large batch, bake, cool, cut into "bars" and freeze in gallon ziplock. They fit perfect into a "snack" ziplock bag for on the go. Try the easy basic recipe below and add what YOU like. (flaked organic coconut, pecans, dried cherries, mix it up!)

Basic Recipe: 

Mix Dry together:

4 cup old fashioned oatmeal

1 cup whey protein powder (I use True Whey)

1/4 cup cocoa (can leave out if you don't like chocolate)

1 cup organic coconut sugar (it is low glycemic - won't impact blood sugar negatively - can buy at Wal-Mart)

Mix "wet" together with mixer (or by hand) until smooth:

1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)

1 cup almond butter (room temp)

2 TB vanilla extract (or could add peppermint extract or rum extract, whatever you like)

2 egg whites

Combine the wet & dry ingredients, by hand, mix thoroughly. You can add little unsweetened almond milk if necessary to bring it together, I don't, but you may want to, in order to "spread" it. (it should be "stiff" but movable)

Spread & press into pan, working to spread evenly into greased (with coconut oil) large cookie sheet

Bake at 350 degrees 20 min or so, until dry to the touch. (not much longer, or will be too dry)

After they cool for 5 minutes or so, I cut with a pizza cutter, makes it super easy!

Makes 18 ish- depending on how you slice them. After cooled I slice into bars that fit into a "snack size" ziplock, perfect to take on the go. I like to "flash freeze" the sliced bars, so they don't "stick" together. Then put them into gallon size freezer bags until ready to eat.
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Chocolate / Pumpkin bars

use all above dry & wet ingredients &....

add to "dry" ingredients:

2 TB cinnamon

1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

1/4 to 1/2 cup dried cranberries

optional 1/4 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger

add to "wet" ingredients:

3 total egg whites

1 can pumpkin puree 

FYI: I now use a can of pumpkin in every batch- you could also use applesauce. But I like the pumpkin for added nutrition / beta-carotene)

I also now add 1 cup Ghirardelli Dark Choc Chips (can get BIG bag at Sam's Club will make many "batches"),  & a cup of chopped walnuts to every batch. 

Makes 20ish bars - depending on how you slice them. :-)

These are pretty yummy and very filling! Works great as an emergency on the go breakfast. 

Helping you Select The Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com