Pumpkin Protein Bars

I love pumpkin everything and anything.  I mean who doesn't? Other than a few guys I work with...tsk tsk! Shame on them.  Anyways I love these pumpkin bars.  Their low-fat and low-carb.  I usually switch out different protein bar recipes every week and bring 2 in a little ziplock bag or small Tupperware for myself as desert to end my protein meal that I prep for work days, or just to snack on at home when I have a sweet craving.

• 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
• 6 egg whites
• 2 scoops Cinnamon Roll protein powder or vanilla protein powder 
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 C. Coconut sugar or Stevia/Truvia blend (whichever you have)
• 1 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees, measure out your ingredients, and mix together in a bowl.  I sprayed a 9″x9″ baking pan with non-stick spray.  You can sprinkle with some flour to make sure they don't stick or put wax paper and spray that before you pour the batter in.  Bake for  25-30 minutes.   Eat them warm or if your like me, I like to prep these and cut them when their cooled completely and put them in a Tupperware and keep in the fridge.  Enjoy!

Nutrition Information: Per Bar (makes 9 bars):
8.6g Protein
5.7g Carbs
 0.9g Fat
 65.6 Calories 01 02 12

Homemade Chocolate protein bars

Who doesn't love protein bars right? I mean it's the closest thing to a candy bar or brownie type of sweet affair but healthy-ish.  Personally I don't buy protein bars unless their Quest Nutrition bars, only because their brand offers sugar free, gluten free, and are low in carbs.  Plus, they taste good and you can do hundreds of things with Quest bars.  Other than that I really prefer to make my own because I know what goes in it and tastes way better than your regular protein bar.  This is my go to recipe when I prep protein bars for the week.  I doubled the recipe this time around.  The only thing about this recipe is that they aren't as convenient  to take on the go unless you have a freezer at your work.  But this is by far one of the best homemade protein bar recipes, so it is worth it.  When I take them to work, I put it in the freezer.  Don't forget to put your name on your Tupperware or ziplock bag! Because you know what they say..."no name, fair game".  Yes, it's happened to me lol. 

 

   * 1 mashed banana
  * 1 1/2 cups steel cut oats
   * 2 Tablespoons flax seed, ground
  * 2-4 scoops protein powder
  * 1/4 cup natural butter (I use PB2 or almond butter)
  * 1/4 cup un-sweetened shredded coconut (optional)
  * 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
   * 1/4 cup water
  * 1/4-1/2 cup dark chocolate chips ( I use a 65% dark chocolate)

 Mix all ingredients but chocolate together well (mixture will be somewhat sticky). Line an 8×8-inch pan with foil or wax paper.  Spray the wax or foil w/a non-stick spray and spread the mixture evenly in the pan. Melt chocolate on the stove or in the microwave. Drizzle or spread over the mixture in the pan.
Place the pan in the freezer for 1-2 hours. Cut into bars and layer between wax paper and store in a ziplock bag or Tupperware.  Keep the bars in your freezer and whenever you want to eat one, let it sit out for a few minutes.  It will soften quickly, but some people like it a little more on the frozen side.

 

 

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Protein Truffles

Yesterday I broke the 200 pound mark and I am super happy about that and ALSO I am 4 more pounds away from officially losing 100 pounds!!  I've come a long way and have worked my azz off seriously! Lol It has been hard but at the same time it has been worth every sweat, craving, and temptation.  It's true what they say....if your really want something, you better work girl!  Naturally as any other human being, when one accomplishes kind of a big thing, you want to go out and celebrate, drink, eat everything, etc...but sometimes you have to substitute and adjust those celebrations as well.  So I went with making myself a sweet satisfying treat while still getting my protein and healthiness on.  I only had 1 chocolate chip cookie dough Quest bar left and I had an idea (because sometimes I have those) and hence protein truffles.  Hope your having a good Sunday night and that you surround your week with positive people and positive thoughts.  Much Love ;)


Protein Truffles 

- 1/4 C. Dark Chocolate chips or smart chips
- 1 Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Quest bar or any protein bar of your choice
- Wax paper





*Cut your protein bar into 5-6 pieces and roll them into little balls.   Put some muscle into it, because well...it's a protein bar.  Those things are kind of tough.

Melt your chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl for about 30 seconds to a minute checking on it so  it doesn't burn.  Put a piece of wax paper on a small plate and roll each protein ball in the melted chocolate, set them on the wax paper.  Put the plate in the fridge for about an hour or so to set.  Enjoy!! 

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