Delicious and Nutritious Homemade Protein Bars

Hello everybody! Sorry it took me a while to write a new post... my computer was acting up really bad and then after some cleaning done to the inside of the CPU it decided to act even worse! So... we ended up having to get a new computer... nothing fancy... just a desktop that would allow me to keep couponing, allow me also to be in touch with our families far away and also let the girls continue to enjoy Starfall.com ... I am sure you have heard from them... if you haven't you and your little ones are missing out on some good ol' learning! I am sharing about them with you because it is another GREAT DEAL! You can use it for free to some extent (great materials are available for free) and then if you pay for access for your computer for a whole year you do get all the benefits of this amazing site! It's been a great tool to complement our homeschooling.

Now... you're here probably because the sound of Homemade Protein bars caught your attention... So... yes... I make our own Protein Bars... I should probably call them Protein squares though ... these are amazing and oh so good for you! Hubby loves them so much that he forgets that they're not just a "delicious treat"... I actually make them to have something healthy at hand for those moments when I have a chocolate craving but also to eat them right before a good workout!

My recipe is a very basic one and very easy to customize to your own taste and liking... The measurements are approximates... You can add or switch ingredients for your favorite ones....

So... to make these delicious protein bars you'll need:

Ingredients:
(Yield: about 35 2x2" squares)

- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
- 1/2 cup hemp seed hearts
- 1/2 scoop of protein powder (My recommendation is Jay Robb Chocolate whey, Swanson Vanilla Whey Isolate -way more affordable and the one I typically use or the Trim Healthy Mama Brand)
- 2 tbsp. to 1/4 unsweetened cup cocoa powder
- Sweetener to taste (if you're trying to lose weight I recommend you use stevia, I use THM pure stevia extract, if you're not concerned about weight issues you can use honey or pure maple syrup)
- about 3 tbsp. extra virgin coconut oil (sooooooooo good for you!)
- 2 tbsp. of an unsweetened nut butter (optional)
- vanilla extract (optional, to taste)
- almond milk (unsweetened) - enough to incorporate it all, about 2 tbsp. to 1/4 cup -

Directions:

Put all your dry ingredients in a food processor (no nut butters, almond milk, extract or oil yet), pulse until they are chopped into very small pieces, add your wet ingredients except almond milk, pulse again to incorporate. Gradually add almond milk (just enough to make a "dough" looking mixture, it should be very thick).

Transfer your mixture to a flexible long (rectangular preferably) container (I use the lid of my 9x13" baking pan), spread it out with a spatula or butter knife until it's evenly spread out and it's about 1" thick. Superficially score your mixture with a knife to make squares (about 2" each) and get it into the freezer for about 20 minutes. Take it out and pass the knife again through the lines of the squares just to cut them all the way through (but don't move them yet) and get them back in the freezer for a few hours until they are completely frozen.

Remove from your lid/container/mat and store in Ziploc bags in the freezer, enjoy frozen (or they'll melt/get soggy) ... They are a delicious frozen protein square that even your children will love!

Now... since we are talking about "deals" let me tell you that I buy most of the ingredients in this recipe at Costco (you can get the super affordable swanson protein at Amazon), it is 29.99 for a big container of protein powder (over 2 pounds)


Click here



And I don't think you will find cheaper almonds/pecans, hemp, chia seeds and extra virgin coconut oil than at Costco (but if you do, please let me know!)

If you follow this recipe and do not add any dried fruits/honey or maple syrup each square has:
about 100 calories, less than 1 net carb and everything else is rich nutrition that will energize you! good fats that will heal you but keep in mind that the amount of protein is not high enough for a complete meal so make sure you do incorporate other sources of protein for a whole meal.

So... there you have it! You've made your very own protein squares! If you are a Trim Healthy mama then you know you can enjoy these in an "S" setting. Enjoy!

Paloma.