Energy Bars and Cocoa Muffins

I spent my snow day doing some experimental baking.  I tried to recipes from Clean Eating Quick Easy Meals and had to some improvising due to the ingredients that I had on hand.  The energy bars were REALLY good!  The cocoa muffins were okay....they aren't sweet, which I like, but they taste a little too healthy for most people.

Cocoa Muffins

Energy Bars

Cocoa Muffins (makes 40 mini muffins or 12 regular muffins)
Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups oats
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp vanilla protein powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 egg
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup buttermilk (i used almond milk)
• 3 tbsp agave syrup
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup raisins (i used golden)
• I also added 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line muffin tin with paper cups
• In large bowl, combine oats and next five ingredients.
• In another mixing bowl, whisk together egg, applesauce, almond milk, agave, and oil. 
• Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in egg mixture.  Stir just until all dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in raisins and chocolate chips.
• Pour batter into muffin cups and bake for 20 minutes or until tops spring back when touched lightly.  

Energy Bars (makes 16 bars)
Ingredients:

• 1 cup natural peanut butter
• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup chopped dates
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup almonds
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

• Combine peanut butter and honey in large nonstick pot and heat on low until runny.  
• Mix in the oatmeal, dates, and nuts.  Stir until all ingredients are well covered.
• Line a 9x9 inch pan with waxed paper.  Press the mixture into the pan.  Let cool, and then cut into 16 bars.

  

Perfect PB Protein Bars

I tried my hand at making protein bars for the first time last night.  I'll post pictures when I get home...  So far my taste testers have reported that they are awesome, other than Evan who doesn't like peanut butter. I think I could eat my weight in these bars AND they were extremely easy to make, no baking.  The downfall benefit of this recipe is that I had to spend 15 minutes licking the yummy mixture off of my fingers after kneading the ingredients.

Perfect Peanut Butter Protein Bars 
*Adapted from ....Clean Eating Quick and Easy Meals


Ingredients:

• 2 cups of quick oats
• 1/2 cup of natural peanut butter
• 1/2 cup water
• 4 scoops of protein (I used Vitol Vanilla Ice Cream Egg Protein- MY FAVORITE)
• 4 tablespoons milled flax
• 2 tablespoons of chia seeds
• Any additional toppings you'd like!  I can foresee adding chocolate chips. walnuts, cranberries, spreading dark chocolate pb on top, etc....  lots of room for fun here!

Directions:

• Put oats, pb, water, protein, flax in large bowl. 
• Knead the mixture with your hands.
• Spoon and spread into 8x8 baking dish that is covered in wax paper for easy removal. 
• Top with any additional ingredients (chia seeds for me)
• Place in freezer for 30 minutes. 
• Remove and cut into nine squares. 
• I'm sure you could leave the squares out, but I kept them refrigerated.  

Eat your GREENS!

Over the last two weeks or so I've seen several postings/articles about kale chips.  On a whim I asked Rich to buy a huge bag of chopped kale so that I could try out a basic recipe.  I chose the bagged kale because it is easier than stripping the leaves and then tearing the kale into bite size pieces.  We were not disappointed by the easy prep and delicious taste and have actually made them the last two nights as our "appetizer" while cooking dinner. 

I highly recommend making these as an alternative to potato chips, but since we don't even eat those, they work well as an appetizer or even a side dish to get your greens in. Spinach goes in my shake every morning and now kale is becoming a dinner staple.  YUM. 

Kale Chips

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Wash, strip, and break kale into bite size pieces (or buy a large bag already prepared)
• Toss kale in 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Spread kale on parchment paper covered cookie sheet
• Sprinkle with sea salt (could also use seasoned salt)
• Bake for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees.  (15 minutes works great for me) 

**Should be crispy and a little brown on the edges, but not burnt. 

Peanut Butter Protein Balls

So they aren't my grandmother's PB balls, but they are much healthier and I am loving them!  I'm only allowing myself 1 or 2 a day, but they are perfect for when I need something sweet and satisfying. 


Tiffani Bachus’ Peanut Butter Protein Balls (from Oxygen Magazine)
Ready in 5 minutes • Makes 14 servings

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder (I used vanilla egg protein)
• 3 tbsp ground flaxseed
• 3 tbsp dark chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Mix together all ingredients. Should be the consistency of Play-Doh. Roll into 14 small balls. Refrigerate to firm them up, overnight for best results. Enjoy!

Nutrients per serving (1 ball):

Calories: 84, Total Fats: 5 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Trans Fat: 0 g, Cholesterol: 3 mg, Sodium: 28 mg, Total Carbohydrates: 8 g, Dietary Fiber: 1 g, Sugars: 6 g, Protein: 4 g, Iron: 0 mg