I am trying to be better about how much sugar I eat. Sugar is hidden in so many foods and I am really trying to watch this as it creaps up on me the older I get. I love sugar and sweets and it's hard for me to go a day with out eating something sweet. Recently I have been better about making healthier "desserts" and this has helped out my sweet tooth a lot. I don't believe in depriving yourself though, so I def. have some icecream or a brownie once in a while. :) Anywho, I made these energy bars and they are great for an energy boosting snack before a work out or after a meal for dessert. They really help my sweet tooth and are much better for you than store bought granola bars that have lots of processed ingredients in them.
I used whole wheat pastry in this recipe for the first time! I have seen so many recipes for whole wheat pastry flour, yet hadn't bought it until yesterday. I found it at my local health food store. It is great!
Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 large ripe banana, mashed
1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup unsalted raw sunflower seeds
1/2 teaspoon (heaping) ground cinnamon
1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup chopped pitted dates
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
2 T. chia seeds
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
Directions:
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly oil a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Mix the eggs, banana, oats, sunflower seeds, cinnamon, protein powder, dates, raisins, walnuts, apricots, chia seeds, maple syrup, and whole-wheat pastry flour together in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes; set aside to cool. Cut into 9 bars and wrap with plastic to store.
*Next time I may try adding some agave nectar to see how this tastes.
It's FITNESS FRIDAY! What are you fitness plans today? A quick walk on your lunch break or an intense trip to the gym? Today I am rushing to blog so that I can get a quick walk in before more trainings. It's a super busy day, but I am thankful for it. There is plenty of time for exercise this weekend and I am looking forward to it. Happy Friday! Do something good for your body today...your heart will thank you.
I know a lot of folks that do eat eggs! They are delicious and healthy...the incredible, edible, egg. How is eating an egg considered animal cruelty? I could see eating chicken meat, sure. But an egg will happen whether you like it or not.
ReplyDeleteResearch has shown that eating eggs at breakfast can help you fight weight gain all day long. A study reported in 2008 in the "International Journal of Obesity" found that when dieters ate two eggs for breakfast for five days out of the week, they lost 65 percent more weight than dieters who consumed a bagel in the morning. Although protein is likely to fill you up whenever you eat it, some scientists suspect that having more in the morning can keep you feeling fuller all day long.
ReplyDeleteMmmm..those ingredients look delightful. I use agave when I cook - good amount of sweetness, not to much, not too little. I find that splenda makes stuff over the top sweet - not always what I'm looking for.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a discussion we have going on here! I agree that not everyone eats or can eat eggs...although I wish I could, I can not and don not cater to everyone's health needs/health beliefs on this blog. Thanks for reading!
ReplyDelete@ Jayme: I love Agave too...it is always the perfect amount of sweetness :)
I'm just digging that delicious looking energy bar you've got going! My workout Friday was spent in the kitchen making tiiiiinnnnnny cupcakes for a friend's party! Way over the top in the sugar ratio unfortunately, but decadently delicious for a summer party! Workout bars will be something to prep next!
ReplyDeleteHugs~
@ Susie: I'm sure your tiny cupcakes were amaaazing! :) Love you!
ReplyDelete