Coconutty Maple Fuel Bars
Soooo, who’s excited for the Olympics’ Opening Ceremony tonight?!
Oh, you’re going to dinner and a movie instead? Yeah, me too.
That’s not to say I’m not excited for the Olympics. I am. I’m just not extremely jazzed about watching people push balls around with brooms — that’s what curling is, right?
As I’ve mentioned before, I’d rather be active myself than watch other people on T.V. being active.
But as I also mentioned before, I love themes. So when holidays and big events come around, I get super excited to theme everything I do accordingly.
So when Gigi and I teamed up with Canada’s Pure Maple Syrup for our Fit & Foodies Cook-A-Long yesterday, we decided it was perfect timing for an Olympic-themed snack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B_JQ_vnskw
Maple Syrup is a natural energy booster, so it’s a great way to sweeten up your protein snacks and to keep you fueled during a workout. Athletes — those doing endurance sports especially — need readily available carbs to burn off during intense exercise.
Although it is still sugar, when you eat it before a workout, you’re safe in the knowledge that those carbs will be the first to burn during your exercise.
These creamy, crunchy bars are also packed with a bunch of protein from Vega‘s delicious vanilla, plant-based protein powder, healthy fat from coconut oil and almond butter, and some tasty mix-in’s that won’t break your belt — unsweetened cocoa nibs, coconut flakes, and unsweetened dried blueberries.
We had left-overs from the cook-a-long last night so I eagerly gobbled one up before a particularly grueling Sweat Garage workout this morning and it kept me fueled the entire time.
Coconutty Maple Fuel Bars
by Gigi & Whitney of the Fit & Funny Foodies
Ingredients:
1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder (We used Vega)
½ C. Oats
¼ C. Almond Flour
¼ C. Natural Almond Butter
¼ C. Pure Maple Syrup
2 T. Dried Blueberries
2 T. Coconut Flakes
2 T. Cacao Nibs
1 T. Coconut Oil
Directions:
1. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. Toss the coconut oil in the microwave for about 15 seconds to loosen.
3. Add the wet ingredients.
4. Add your mix-ins.
5. Line a baking pan (8×8) with wax paper and press the mixture into the pan. Using a rolling pan to flatten if you need.
6. Slice and eat, or wrap them in plastic and store in the refrigerator for later.
Total Calories: 125, 5 grams protein (makes 12)
These bars are seriously the tastiest things ever and they only take about 10 minutes to make. Try them out this Olympic season.
Hopefully they’ll get you off the couch, and out being active!
***Head over to The Big Man’s World where Arman and I are launching the first feature of our new series, Trending: L.A. vs. Sydney. We’re comparing all the best and most bizarre health trends from one global hotspot to another.***
Ashley @ Brocblog says:
These look delicious! Ive been on a coconut kick lately (all the coconut craziness is starting to get to me) and these look amazing!
Whitney English says:
Same here!!! I’ve been putting coconut on and in everything. Can’t get enough :)
Kristina @ Damn Ten Pounds says:
You already know my thoughts on curling… it’s not a sport! :)
Whitney English says:
Everything I know about curling I learned from you :)
Arman @ thebigmansworld says:
So I think you and Gigi need to start posting more gigi eating style recipes to wean me into the whole30…but seeing as I have a few weeks before the start date- these could come into the food prep picture.
Definitely will NOT be watching the olympics, because they are televising it at 11pm-5am. Thanks, Australia.
GiGi Eats Celebrities says:
Whitney and I may VERY WELL BE PLANNING A WHOLE RECIPE DEDICATED TO YOU!!!! Muahhh hah a ha ha ah! You just waiitttt! ;)
Whitney English says:
I’ve got plenty of super healthy grain free recipes on here to get you started. Now, if only you guys had spaghetti squash out there!!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says:
I really need to go get more maple syrup. These would make for a wonder pre-workout snack!
I have the ceremonies on TV now… obv I’m playing close attention… LOL!
Whitney English says:
They are extremely filling and energizing.
Sounds like you pay attention to the Olympics like I pay attention to the Superbowl!
Tatum @ Eats From The Oil Patch says:
I will help you face plant those.. Just saying
Whitney English says:
If only I hadn’t already eaten all of them! I seriously can’t be trusted around anything sweet.
Cat says:
Mmmm I recently discovered my love for cacao nibs… these are getting made with ludicrous amounts of the crunchy little drops of heaven!
Whitney English says:
So good, right?! I’ve tried cacao nibs before but I never cared for them much until I tried them in this recipe. They were the perfect addition.
Brittany Leighb says:
These look like gooey, yumminess!
Whitney English says:
Oh they are. They are :)
Bethann says:
Holy crap, those look delicious. Since you mentioned you ate one before your grueling workout I am reminded that I tried your ’12-days of Christmas – Sweat Shop’ work out and kind of wanted to kill myself during it.
Whitney English says:
You tried it! So happy to hear that. I wanted to pass out while I was doing it too! But it was worth it too get that sweaty in just 12 minutes right?!
Camille @ Challenge Mantra says:
I’m a huge fan of the Vega line of protein powders (especially chocolate) because these aren’t chalky like a lot of other options. These bars look fantastic!
Whitney English says:
Yeah, Vega is the only brown rice protein powder I have liked so far. It tastes a little bit like cake batter, my favorite :)
Dale Janee says:
Lol – we’re watching movies this weekend too. I have been reading all about the hotel conditions in Sochi though. I’m sure I’ll watching and I’m with you on curling too. Such a random sport. These bars look so good and it’s nice they’re not 300 calories like so many in stores.
xoDale
http://www.savvyspice.com
Whitney English says:
Yeah you really can’t find a protein bar for under 200 calories. I was shocked when we did the nutritional info for these because we really weren’t thinking about it when we developed the recipe. These really have an amazing balance of healthy fat, protein, and ready-to-burn carbs for such a low cal count.
Sam Brown says:
These look amazing! Could you sub wholemeal flour for almond flour?
Sam xx
http://www.smart-twenties.com
Whitney English says:
I think that should be fine! You could probably also leave it out and use more oats. This recipe is very adaptable. If it gets too dry, add more almond butter or maple. Too wet? More flour or oats :) Let me know how it goes!
Jody - Fit at 56 says:
I want those now! :)