Category Archives: home made protein bars

Fall day and more bars.

Today was a fabulous fall day. Why the weather couldn’t have been like this for my run yesterday……

Went to a fall Halloween festival today and spent time with the nieces and my folks. Lots of cute chitlins in costumes today. I also managed to *not* have the wonderful cupcakes I love when I come down to my sister’s. I told John that no matter how much I screamed and cried for one, I was not to have one. Yes, I do turn into a 5 year old when it comes to frosting.

I did a variation of the pumpkin cranberry bars. You know, anyone reading this blog as of late would think I eat all of my food in bar form. But – they are easy and a good alternative to cookies.

Chocolate oatmeal bars
Ingredients:
28 grams of protein powder
2 eggs
1 cup lowfat yogurt (any kind but fruit – I happened to have vanilla on hand)
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 cups of rolled oats
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Follow directions here.

More calories than the pumpkin ones, but more protein. John preferred these, because they have chocolate in them!

I must say that I am having a difficult time taking rest days. A complete rest day from both cardio and strength training. Today I just took a slower walk (3MPH) and did 1.5 miles around the track. John did a fast 5K walk/jog at the same time. It was really hard for me not to walk fast, but I wanted to give my legs a break. I have not had any running injuries yet (fingers and toes fully crossed), and no strains from lifting – and I want to keep it that way.
I have my next race planned. There is one locally on Thanksgiving morning! It’s a 5K walk/run – so John is likely to join me on this, as well as my sis (my running partner). Maybe I’ll have 2 pieces of pie if I break 30 minutes!!

Sore legs today.

Good thing that I moved my jog to coincide with the shapeover workouts this week. My legs are killing me! I took a short walk today for a little cardio. I have a few days to recover before Sunday’s race.

Yesterday I did a 3 mile jog in 33:39, about my usual pace now. I am shooting for finishing the 5K in 37 minutes. That gives me some leeway with an unfamiliar course and such. It will be fairly chilly Sunday morning, too! Yesterday it was 45 degrees when I was out. I wore sweats, but my short-sleeve wicking shirt. I was really sweaty, but then kind of clammy cold. Ick.
After that jog, we walked to breakfast – so I got another 30 minute walk in, then did my lower body workout. I was ravenous for a lot of yesterday.

I did try the 1 minute muffin with pumpkin today. I just subbed all of the oil with 2 tablespoons of canned pumpkin. I cooked it a little longer than a minute. It was yummy and more moist than the oil version. Go figure. John really liked it, too.

Tried another batch of protein bars with oats, will post that recipe and pics when I get a chance. A little more filling than the cookie one, but less calories and less protein. Lucky for me DH is willing to try all my experiments!

Homemade protein bars

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I will be posting recipes and such as I have a little more time to play. I found an interesting recipe at Healthy Indulgences, a website that creates healthy recipes without the use of splenda. I have been experimenting with some protein bars (I am addicted to Zone bars).

I adapted her recipe as follows:
1/4 cup natural peanut butter (any nut butter would work)
1 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons honey
2 tablespoons whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon stevia
pinch of sea salt
2 oz protein powder

Heat oven to 350 F. In a medium size microwave safe bowl, add the peanut butter, butter, and honey. Microwave for about a minute until warm and you can blend thoroughly. Add the vanilla, stevia, salt and cream and mix well. Mix in the protein powder. Really mash it to mix well. It will be kind of like shortbread dough.

Line a loaf pan with parchemnt paper. Press the mixture into the bottom of the loaf pan evenly. It is a very thin layer. Bake for about 10 minutes – you don’t want it to brown. Remove from the loaf pan and cut into 4 pieces while it is still warm (that way they don’t crumble).
Looks like this:

The texture is almost exactly like a shortbread cookie. I actually really like these. A little caloric, but would be a great sub if you want a cookie. Much healthier LOL!
I then melted a tablespoon of dark chocolate chips and spread over the top:

For an on-the-go meal, these are pretty good. With the chocolate, around 250 calories or so. YMMV depending on the brand of protein powder you use. I might replace the cream with milk next time. I also have a mind to try some PB2, should I get around to ordering any.

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