DIY Homemade Protein Bars!

Like every mom, you know what it's like to be on the go more often than not! And because of the mayhem that your list of things to do can create, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and obvious how we can skip a meal and/or snack along the way.

When I was personal training, ie: working full time, I lived in my car if I wasn't with a client. As a mobile business, I drove alot every day! I had my meals packed in my cooler and ready to serve when hunger would strike. Super organized, super healthy and now super unrealistic with an infant in the house! LOL!

Recently, I've been working hard to rebuild my bod after building my baby and I know how important it is to eat right! But I also know how important it is to maximize my free time, so I've dug out a recipe of mine for homemade protein bars!

I wanted a healthy and quick snack to be able to pack or grab on the go that wasn't full of any extra preservatives, additives, colorings and lets face it CALORIES! This recipe is nothing but wholesome goodness. They are fairly filling and very tasty. 

They take no time to prepare and no time to bake, so have fun with this easy recipe! Add or delete where you wish to best suit your preferences. This recipe is very flexible for vegans, vegetarians, celiacs, those with sensitivities etc so have fun and experiment!

Here is what I make at home!

HOMEMADE PROTEIN BARS:

You'll need:

1 cup of whey or soy protein powder ( I used vanilla whey)

1/2 cup of quinoa flour (or flour of your choice) 

2 cups of rolled oats (not instant)

1/2 cup of oat bran

1/2 cup of coarsely chopped flax seed

1/2 cup of wheat germ

1 tsp of sea salt

1/4 tsp of nutmeg ( I shaved my own from the nut itself)

1/2 cup of Sucanat, agave nectar or organic honey (I used agave nectar - unflavored)

1 cup of dark chocolate ( I used carob chips)

1 3/4 cups of light cream cheese ( or yogurt cheese or soy cheese for less fat and calories)

1/4 cup of avocado oil 

2 tsp of extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp of high quality vanilla

Mix all dry ingredients first, including the chocolate..then mix the cheese of choice, the oils and the vanilla separately. Only after this, do you mix them altogether! (Don't taste the dough..it's addictive)

Spread the entire mixture on a lightly coated baking sheet and bake at 350F for about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool a little bit before you cut your squares. 

Once you have created as many squares as you can, place back in the oven for another 15 minutes at the same temperature.

When they're done, place on a cooling rack and in about 20 minutes you'll have these amazing bars chalk full of nutrition and ready to go!

They are to be stored in the fridge once they have cooled entirely.

Enjoy everyone!

If you try these and made any changes, let me know, I'll give your ideas a shot the next time I bake!

Off to pack my gym bag for tomorrow's workout! Even with a baby, there are no excuses!

Chat soon!
S xo