Power up with these healthy bar recipes!
It’s a little too easy to pop an energy bar mid-day or down a protein bar post-workout. I know I’m guilty. Yes, the nifty bars are mostly healthier than candy bars, but truth is they often contain artificial ingredients and low-quality protein (yikes). Still, they’re a portable snack that fits perfectly into a fit lifestyle. The solution: Make your own! That’s exactly what Camilla Saulsbury decided to do. A certified fitness trainer, marathon running and creator of the healthy food blog, Power Hungry, Camilla ditched the prepackaged, processed bars for healthy and delicious DIY versions – and thank goodness she did! Camilla just came out with her first cookbook – Power Hungry: The Ultimate Energy Bar Cookbook – and now we all get to indulge in her guilt-free creations!
A cinch to prepare, these power bars are built on a foundation of two superfood seeds: chia and quinoa. Both are rich sources of fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vitamins and minerals. They are guaranteed to put a smile on all of your friends’ and family’s faces, even the ones who insist they don’t like “healthy” food and especially if you have whipped up a batch of kale smoothies as accompaniment.
3. Combine the dates and apple juice in a blender. Let stand for 10 minutes and then blend until smooth. Add the chia seeds and vanilla extract to the blender; pulse two or three times to blend. Let stand 10 minutes to allow the chia seeds to gel.
4. Meanwhile, melt the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the quinoa flakes, walnuts, and sesame seeds. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes or until the flakes, nuts, and seeds are golden and fragrant. Add the cardamom, cinnamon, and salt to the skillet; cook and stir for 30 seconds longer. Transfer to a large bowl.
5. Add the date mixture and apricots to the quinoa flake mixture, mixing with a spatula until combined.
6. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Place a large piece of parchment paper, wax paper, or plastic wrap (coated with nonstick cooking spray) atop the bar mixture and use it to spread, flatten, and very firmly compact the mixture evenly in the pan. Discard the paper or plastic.
I’ll eat just about anything with “sticky” in the title, which prompted me to create a sticky energy bar my raw foodie friends and I can savor together. I’ve cast sesame seeds in a lead role here because I’m tired of seeing one of my favorite ingredients marginalized atop hamburger buns and everything bagels—they have a terrific earthy-nutty flavor and a delicate crunch that goes well with so many dishes. Moreover, their nutritional profile will leave you star-struck. Sesame seeds are a very good source of manganese and copper and a good source of protein, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc, and dietary fiber. Further, they contain two special types of fiber, sesamin and sesamolin, which are members of the lignans group and can lower “bad” cholesterol and help prevent high blood pressure. And did I mention chocolate? Namely, raw chocolate drizzle? Sesame seeds plus raw chocolate drizzle equals crazy good.
2. Place the nuts, sesame seeds, and chia seeds in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Add the agave nectar, nut or seed butter, oil, vanilla, and salt. Process, using on/o. pulses, until the mixture is blended and begins to stick together and clump on the sides of the bowl.