How to replace your processed “energy bar” with homemade energy balls and protein bars!
As much as I fully endorse the importance and benefits of a establishing a healthy morning breakfast with menu items such as eggs, full fat Greek yogurt, fruits and avocado, some days there just isn’t enough time! And instead, we reach for a “protein bar” and run out of the house. The problem is, these so called healthy protein bars are often overly processed and laden with preservatives and additives that are not so great for our digestive system or our energy levels. There is often a lot of sugar added that will make you crash sooner and feel hungry again. Leaving your reaching for…more food! And the cycle begins…
So, what do we do? Prepare these quick and easy breakfast bites for those on-the-go mornings so that you are still getting the jump start you need sans the excess preservatives and sweeteners that you don’t! Consuming homemade, non-processed food early on will set you up for success all day long. You can pair it with an apple or Greek yogurt if you need a little extra and your morning will still be on track no matter how little time you’ve got!
Casey’s Energy Ball Recipe:
Grind the following in a food processor or blender:
2/3 cup raw almonds
2/3 cup raw walnuts
2/3 cup oat flakes
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp sea salt
Mix in:
1/4 cup raw agave nectar (can be found at whole foods)
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 tbsp cacao nibs (whole foods) or dark chocolate chips
1 tbsp almond butter (whole foods) or peanut butter
Roll into balls and put into the fridge (and freezer for later).
Quick Tip: Make small baggies of 2-3 balls per bag for your on-the-go snack!
Enjoy!
Sandy’s Oatmeal Banana Protein Bars:
Preheat over at 350
4 ripened bananas
2 cups of Oat Flakes
¼ cup of dried cranberries or sour cherries (whatever you prefer)
¼ cup cacao nibs
2 scoops of Whey Protein
1 tbsp of almond or peanut butter
Grease cookie sheet (or mini muffin sheet!) with coconut oil.
Mash bananas, oat flakes, dried fruit and chips until soft. (Roll into balls or place in a 9” x 13” pan and cut into bars after cooking!)
Place in over for 9 minutes!
Enjoy warm or pack into baggies for breakfast bars for the week!
