No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bars

So I'm really quite excited! I recently teamed up with the Canadian company North Coast Naturals to develop some tasty new recipes using their products. I've been working very hard testing out my first recipe for these energy bars and I just couldn't wait to finally share them with you!

For my first recipe trial I wanted to make an energy+protein bar that I could feel good about eating and would help fuel me through my workouts.

Enter the No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bar.

I used North Coast Natural's vanilla 100% Iso-Protein Powder to give them a good hit of protein and nutrition. I love that this protein powder is all natural and has no preservatives, artificial sweeteners, colours or flavours. It's naturally sweetend with low-glycemic stevia and blends well in smoothies - no chalky taste at all. It really does taste great! Trust me, I wouldn't candy-coat the truth. I love how it tasted in these bars too. Next time I'm thinking of trying the chocolate Iso-Protein in these bars. Chocolate and peanut butter were made to go together!

Now there's 2 kinds of protein/energy bars that I like. First there's the cakey kind. And then secondly, there's the chewy kind. These are a bit of a mix between the two. They're soft and chewy, but still have some crumbliness going on. Perfection in bar form if I do say so myself.

I've been trying these as pre-workout snacks before going to the gym to lift weights. They're satiating and have just the right amount of carbs and protein. The best part is you know exactly what went into them. You get about 300 calories, 15 grams of protein, and 28 grams of clean carbohydrates. Plus they're delicious! They also make a perfect on-the-run to-go breakfast.

Happy lifting, friends!

No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bars Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Vegan option | Yields 12 bars

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Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups natural peanut butter
• 1/2 cup maple syrup, or agave, coconut nectar, honey
• 2 tbsp coconut butter
• 1 1/2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
• 2 scoops vanilla protein powder (I used North Coast Naturals Vanilla Iso-Protein)
• 1/2 cup raisins, or other dried fruit
• 1/4 cup roasted pepitas
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds

Instructions:

1. Place oats, protein powder, raisins, pepitas and slivered almonds in a large bowl; mix to combine.
2. Warm peanut butter and maple syrup in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring, until smooth. Pour over oat mixture and mix well to combine.
3. Press into an 8x8-inch-square pan lined with parchment paper so the bars will lift out easily. Press the mixture down until evenly flattended. Let cool in the fridge for at least 1 hour to harden.
4. Cut into 12 bars. Keep refrigerated.

Notes:

• North Coast Naturals Iso-Protein is not vegan.
• To make this nut-free try using sunflower seed butter or tahini and replace the slivered almonds with extra toasted pepitas.

Nutritional Information:

Serving Size: 1 bar Calories: 337 Fat: 19g Saturated Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 14mg Carbohydrates: 28g Sugar: 14g Fiber: 5g Protein: 15g

No-Bake Fruit n' Nut Breakfast Bars

It's Wednesday.

You know what that means? We're half way to the weekend, so Happy hump day!

If you've ever made snack bars at home, you're aware that most of the store-bought one's don't have much in comparison. Larabar's and Vega are awesome though, and no I was not paid to say that.

You've also most likely noticed just how many additives and un-natural ingredients most have. Added preservatives, fillers, colourings, high-fructose corn syrup and other fake processed sugars like maltodextrin...these things are NOT clean. Anything with palm oil is also a no-no. It turns off our natural appetite suppressors grehmlin and leptin.

I usually vote for a sweet breakfast over a savory one. That's what make these the perfect eat clean grab-and-go meal on those days when there's no time to throw breakfast together. We all have those days now and then.

Of course they also double up nicely as a sweet ending to a meal.

These bars will serve you well on day hikes, long drives, and early mornings.

Using toasty nuts in this recipe really add to the flavour of these bars.

They are grain-free and gluten free, and perfectly chewy, with a bit of crunch from the toasted nuts. If you prefer to use all the same nut instead of a variety feel free.

Adapted from: Eat Clean Diet Cookbook.

No-Bake Fruit n' Nut Breakfast Bars  gluten-free, vegan option Yield: 9 bars

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Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup raw, unsalted slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup pecans
• 1/4 cup coconut butter
• 1/2 cup natural smooth almond butter
• 2 tbsp blackstrap molasses
• 1 tsp honey, or maple syrup
• pinch sea salt
  
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp matcha green tea powder
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped dried apple

Directions:

1. Toast the nuts: place almonds and pecans in a large frying pan, set on stove top at medium-high heat. Do not add any oil or cooking spray - the nuts have enough oils on their own to cook. Frequently stir or give them a shake until they turn a golden brown and become fragrant. Don't overcook. Remove from burner and let cool for several minutes.
2. Transfer nuts to a cutting board or food processor to give them a coarse chop. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine coconut butter, almond butter, molasses, honey and sea salt. Heat this mixture over a double broiler just enough to soften the ingredients. Mix well. Remove from heat.
4. Add vanilla, matcha green tea, chopped nuts and sesame seeds to butter mixture. Combine well.
5. Stir in dried cranberries and chopped dried apple.
6. Press into a 8"x4" baking pan.
7. Let the dough set in the refrigerator for half an hour.
8. Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container or place bars in individual zip-bags so they are ready to go when you are. Keep refrigerated.