Thursday, October 7, 2010

Homemade Protein Bars

Sorry about kind of dropping out of the blogworld for a while. I've been super busy and this blog kept getting pushed to the back burner. I really don't know how many people are still reading this, but I really do enjoy writing about health and fitness so I decided to give it another go. Besides, even if one person gets a good idea or motivation from something here, then it makes it all worth it in the end!
My morning started off with the following workout:
60 minutes kickboxing class
15 minutes stationary bike
15 minutes leg workout
(This included wall sits with a weighted ball overhead, stability ball lift and curls and one-legged machine leg extensions....it was short but pretty intense and my legs were on FIRE by the end!)
A while ago I ran across the following recipe for making your own protein bars. (This is not my own recipe, but I don't remember where I got it so I can't give proper credit!!) I do my best to eat whole foods when possible, but sometimes you just need something quick and easy to toss into your purse as you run out the door. My kids like these too and they only require 5 simple ingredients...
Oats (A healthy whole grain)

Peanut Butter (A healthy fat and a bit of protein too)

Ground flaxseed (Another healthy fat)

Protein powder (Giving these bars a nice protein boost!)

Homemade Protein Bars
2 cups oats
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
4 scoops protein powder (I use chocolate)
2 T. ground flaxseed
1/2 cup water
Mix all ingredients together (I usually use my hands to really mix it in good.) Place mixture in container and freeze for 30 minutes. Take them out, cut into bars and BAM you have some nice clean protein bars with very few ingredients and very little time involved. I usually cut these into 8 bars (then I will sometimes take four of these bars and cut them into halves for the kids to eat too.) This is a great alternative to granola bars (usually laden with unrecognizable ingredients and high fructose corn syrup) or the other 100-ingredient protein bars out there. And because you made 'em, you know exactly what's in 'em too!! You can even make them your own by adding some sliced almonds, raisins, etc.
Hope you enjoy!!

1 comment:

  1. That sounds super quick and easy but I don't think I could do the powder in it. I bought so chocolate protein powder and put it in a smoothie. I did not like it at all, in fact I don't think I finished it. So I thought, if I have just the vanilla flavor it will taste better. NOPE wrong. Nasty. I bought the stuff to make the ice cream but I just can't bring myself to do it. You must of had to get used to it little by little.

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