Power Protein Bars (No bake recipe!)

If you suffer from a mouth full of Sweet Teeth like I do, you have probably tried every chocolate-y protein bar out there and either been disappointed in the taste or disturbed by the long-winded list of unnecessary ingredients. As a previous dessert caterer (that's super funny, right?), I knew it was time to take matters into my own hands and limit the amount of money I was shelling out for a family of five who all seemed to prefer different brands and flavors. I wanted a quick and easy recipe and my business partner and I wanted something we could recommend to our clients over those "halo" protein bars that in fact aren't healthy at all. Could we look beyond cheap soy protein isolate, please?! So we prioritized ingredients based on their ability to provide what we felt were absolute requirements:

>sustained energy

>high protein and nutrients

>fill power

>satisfaction

>workout recovery fuel

>quick & easy

Portability was important as we envisioned sweaty gym bag pockets and regions of suitcase-sized purses that accumulated a sliding scale of necessities and I-Will-Never-Call-You business cards.  Mass production was also key. We wanted to be able to double or triple this recipe to stock the freezer, pack in lunches and store at the office. And as far as flavor goes, it would be best to appeal to the masses in a one kind fits all approach. This has ALL the good stuff. There are countless variations of this type of bar but we love the combination of these ingredients for the protein, fiber, Omega-3's, antioxidants, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and natural energy they provide.

No Bake Power Protein Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats 2/3 cup unsweetened thick cut coconut 1/3 cup raw honey, real maple syrup or blackstrap molasses 1/2 cup nut butter 1/2 cup ground flax meal 1/2 cup dark/bittersweet chocolate chips 1 tsp unrefined coconut oil 1 tsp pure vanilla Optional: 2 tbs whey protein powder 1 tbs chia seeds

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Spread and press firmly into an 8"x 8" pan (I don't seem to use the entire pan unless I double the recipe as I like them thick). Or chill dough for at least 30 minutes and scoop rounded tablespoons into balls and stack in an airtight container in the fridge.

The recipe makes about 8 regular-sized bars or two dozen bites. But my guess is you'll want to the eat the first batch in one sitting (yes, it's that good), so take my advice and double it up! Eat with purpose. xo, Lonni