Foodie Fridays – Chocolate Cherry Protein Oat Bars

Oh what a week it has been! 

Although it’s been a whirlwind and my schedule has been swamped, I’m so grateful when I hear about the WINS my clients are experiencing. 

Like a non-existent period finally returning after 6 months and infertility issues which are clearly solved because whoot-whoot, one of my clients is pregnant! And then my client Elide, who is down 51lbs since she started working with me back in January!

Honestly, my heart is full and nothing brings me more joy than being along for these incredible successes!

But amongst all of the amazingness, I managed to get very little sleep all week, stayed up waaaay too late one night watching Sons of Anarchy and skipped my workouts! My schedule was full, my life is full and I am fully accepting where I am at. 

As for my food on the other hand, well that never suffers. My eating has been on point this week and since coming back from Jamaica last week (which is oh-so-incredibly-sad, but was the best trip ever!), I decided to do a little bit of a reboot. Although I ate really well and healthy for the most part on vacation, a few extra indulgences left me feeling bloated. 

I’ve been overloading on veggies this week, drinking lots of water and enjoying my cleanse tea which contains nettles, fennel and mint. It’s so good! 

Amongst all the busyness, I made it a point to carve out some time to test out some new recipes.

*As a side note – when I’m stressed and overwhelmed, you can find me in my kitchen baking to take the edge off. It’s my way of managing stress. It always seems to pay off because I end up creating deliciousness, like this recipe here!

Foodie Fridays!#yum-6

Chocolate. Cherry. Nuts. Seeds. Chocolate… honestly… can you go wrong? What an amazing, delicious, healthy combination! 

These bars are so damn good!

I ate ONE! My boyfriend TWO and the rest were devoured by his athletes! He came home with an empty tray, which obviously means everyone enjoyed them. Although I could’ve eaten them all, it was better I let him take them to work. (truthfully, I was secretly hoping he’d save me one more, but it’s all good). 

These bars contain only natural and real food ingredients. You can make them nut free by substituting pumpkin seeds or other seeds and the almond butter with sunbutter. Although I haven’t tested it with sun butter, I’m sure it would still be delicious. 

I added in a scoop of my favourite Organic Whey Protein Powder. Again, you can try substituting this with your favourite protein powder. I’m a HUGE fan of Progressive Organic Proteins. They also have brown rice and hemp available too! The whey works perfect in this recipe because it blends really well. Plus, it’s grass-fed and free of ALL antibiotics and hormones and only sweetened with stevia. 

I’d love to know what you think of these bars! Share with me in the comments below 🙂

Chocolate Cherry Protein Oat Bars
Yields 16
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Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
25 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
25 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 1/2 cups wheat free rolled oats
  2. 1/2 cup Progressive Organic Whey Protein Powder
  3. 1 cup almonds, roughly chopped
  4. 3/4 cup sunflower seeds
  5. 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped
  6. 1/2 dried cherries
  7. 1/4 cup shredded coconut
  8. 1/2 cup Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips
  9. 1/2 tsp vanilla powder
  10. 1 tsp cinnamon
  11. 2/3 cup almond butter
  12. 1/3 cup maple syrup
  13. 2 eggs
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. Line a brownie pan (roughly 9x9) with parchment paper.
  3. In a large bowl, stir together first 10 ingredients (oats to cinnamon).
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together almond butter, maple syrup and eggs.
  5. Add wet ingredients to dry and combine really well, until all ingredients are coated with the wet mixture.
  6. Pour into brownie pan and press down to even out.
  7. Bake in the oven for 15-17 minutes until top is set.
  8. Remove from oven and let cook for 10 minutes before cutting in bars.
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/
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Nut & Seed GRAWnola Bars

I experiment often in my kitchen in an attempt to make the perfect protein bar. 

There have been many epic fails, but I do still eat my weird and failed concoctions! That’s the best part!

I really wanted to make a nut and seed bar that was full of healthy fats and protein to truly kick the hunger pangs in the butt! I mean, let’s face it… how many times have you reached for a crappy store bought granola bar or sweet treat only to be going back for more and more to be truly satisfied. 

Our bodies need nutrients and more importantly, they need fat, protein and carbs in the right proportions to truly feel full and satiated. 

 

These bars do just that! They are incredibly hearty and a few bites will leave you satisfied. Plus, they contain immune boosting zinc, heart healthy and brain feeling omega 3’s and lots of anti-aging vitamin E!

Best part, they are homemade! You can’t beat homemade. With all the junk and artificial sweeteners and preservatives found in store bought bars, you are better off preparing your own delicious and healthy versions. 

It takes 5 minutes to put these beauties together and no cooking is involved! They are raw, gluten free and vegan friendly 🙂

Nut & Seed GRAWnola Bars
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Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
35 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
35 min
Ingredients
  1. 3 large medjool dates
  2. 1 cup raw almonds
  3. 1 cup raw walnuts
  4. 1/4 cup hemp seeds
  5. 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
  6. 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
  7. 1/4 cup chia seeds
  8. 1/2 cup almond butter
  9. 1/4 cup maple syrup
  10. 1 tsp ground vanilla bean
  11. 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients into a food processor and process until smooth.
  2. Scoop mixture into an 8x8 brownie pan prepared with parchment paper and press down to flatten.
  3. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
  4. Cut in 12 or 16 bars.
Notes
  1. Goji berries, cacao nibs and shredded coconut would make a great addition to these bars. Even chopped up dried apricot or other dried fruit would add great texture and sweetness. In place of maple syrup, coconut nectar would also make a great alternative.
  2. Keep bars in freezer for a harder texture. Bars will last up to 1 week in the fridge.
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/
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Easiest Protein Bars You’ll Ever Make!

I promise, this is the easiest recipe ever!

I’m always on the lookout for ways to make simple, easy and healthy protein bars as they make for a quick grab and go snack. 

This recipe is great as it requires no baking and very little clean up, which is perfect if you’ve got a kitchen full of hungry little monsters running around!

Feel free to add your own unique twists to the recipe. Dried fruits, cacao nibs, goji berries; these all make for healthy and tasty add ons. I kept my recipe simple with only a handful of ingredients. 

These bars are loaded with healthy fats from almond butter, slow releasing carbs from wheat free rolled oats and the right amount of satiating protein. This combo is perfect for balancing blood sugar levels which will prevent you from reaching for that unhealthy sugary cookie at 3pm!

Enjoy!

 Gluten Free Vanilla Protein Oat Bars-4

 For more delicious recipes check out my ebook, The Qualitarian Cookbook! It’s full of 40+ whole food, gluten free and dairy free recipes. From juice to smoothies, breakfasts, dinners and dessert (yes… there are more protein bar recipes in the book!), I’ve got you covered for delicious and nutritious meals you can feel about about feeding to your family! Get your COPY HERE!

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