A New “Do-It-Yourself” Protein Bar Recipe…All NATURAL Ingredients!

Hey there folks,

I am always looking for new food creations that are easy to take on the go. As a busy person who works out almost every day, I get hungry often. I have tried many protein bars, and MOST of them have WAY too many unnatural ingredients for my taste and/or just DO NOT agree with my stomach. If you have to eat a protein bar from the store on the run, the one I do like is Greens Plus protein bar, which does not contain any added sugar, salt, soy protein, hydrogenated oil, hard to pronounce chemicals or preservatives. The link here is from Amazon so you can see what the packaging looks like, but you are best off getting them at Trader Joes, as far as freshness is concerned.

However, if you are a nutrition nerd like myself and want to take the time to make you down protein bars, here is a recipe that is super delicious with ALL NATURAL ingredients. You can play around with what nuts or protein powder you chose to add to this bar. I personally chose my friend Sophie’s Philosophie Cacao Magic powder, because it actually tastes good and only has natural ingredients as well…check out her ingredient list…it’s solid.

Try these out and see what you think. Personally I think they also make a great night-time snack for those of us who snack in the evenings after dinner and want something sweet and chocolatey but don’t want to wreck our sleep or our bodies by eating too much junk before bed.

Delicious “Do-It Yourself” Protein Bar

1 cup of fresh dates, pitted

1/2 cup raw cashews

1/2 cup raw walnuts

1/2 cup rolled oats (can use gluten-free ones or eliminate entirely if you desire)

1/4 cup shredded coconut

1/4 cup chocolate protein powder of choice

1/4 cup raw cacao powder

2 tbsp. coconut oil, melted

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp . sea salt

Line a 9 by 5 inch pan with wax or parchment paper.

Put the dates in a bowl of warm water for about 5 minutes so they get soft.

While this is happening, put the nuts and oat in a food processor and process until they are finely chopped.

Take the dates out of the water and pat them dry. Then add them and all other ingredients to the food processor until everything is blended and sticks together. It may come out like a big ball of goo.

Place the mixture on the parchment/wax paper and use another piece of the parchment/wax paper to flatten the mixture and mold it into the pan.

Refrigerate for one hour. Then remove the mixture and cut it into individual bars. Refrigerate the ones you are not eating or even freeze them if you prefer.