A peanut butter and chocolate combination is probably what springs to mind when you think of protein bars. And if you glance at the shelves of protein bars at the supermarket, health food, and athletic stores, you might think it is the only flavor combination (chocolate-peanut butter, peanut butter-chocolate, double peanut butter chocolate fudge, fudgy chocolate peanut butter blast…you get the idea). Infractions abound—notably those sporting choco- (make that chalkoh) flavor coatings and gum-enhanced fillings—but a fantastic peanut butter chocolate protein bar is worth pursuing. Lucky you, the pursuit is over. Whenever you want a trustworthy, taste-worthy peanut butter and chocolate bar, this is it.

Makes 12 Protein Bars

Ingredients

Peanut Butter Protein Bars

1/2 cup roasted, lightly salted peanuts
1/2 cup natural, unsweetened peanut butter
1/2 cup plain nondairy milk or low-fat dairy milk
1/4 cup virgin coconut oil, warmed until melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 2/3 cup lightly packed all-natural, sweetened chocolate vegan protein powder
1/4 cup unsweetened, natural cocoa powder

Peanut Butter Icing

1/4 cup natural, unsweetened peanut butter
2 tablespoons plain nondairy milk or
low-fat dairy milk
1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon liquid stevia
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

 Directions

1. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil or parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Place the peanuts in a food processor and process into a fine powder (not a paste). Add the peanut butter, milk, oil, and vanilla. Process, using on/o. pulses, until the mixture is blended, stopping to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl several times with a rubber spatula.

3. Add the protein powder and cocoa powder to bowl; process using on/o. pulses until all of the protein powder is incorporated, stopping to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl once or twice with a rubber spatula.

4. 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 and flatten the mixture evenly in the pan.

5. To prepare the icing: In a small saucepan, combine the peanut butter, milk, and coconut oil. Heat over medium-low, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes until mixture is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the stevia, vanilla, and salt; immediately pour and spread over the bar mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight until very firm.

6. Using the liner, lift the mixture from the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Uncover and cut into 12 bars. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Nutrients per bar: Calories 271, Fat 21.2 g, (Saturated 10.2 g), Cholesterol 30 mg, Sodium 101 mg, Carbs 7.2 g (Fiber 2.8 g, Sugars 2.5 g), Protein 16 g

Power Hungry, The Ultimate Energy Bar Cookbook, by Camilla V. Saulsbury,(Lake Isle Press, 2013)

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The post Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars Recipe appeared first on EcoSalon.

Besides being impossibly adorable, this painted enamel adaptation of the Asian field worker’s tacked lunch box is the ideal container for a dieter on the go.

I received one as a gift from my boss over a cup of Joe and a lesson on social networking. She said, “Here, take this and have fun with it. Maybe your kids can use it.”

Maybe, not! I’m not about to let them have another cool gift of mine so they can abandon it on the blacktop, allowing the contents to rot over the course of several months or convert it into a Barbie submarine bath toy.

Noooo. I’m going to pack healthy snacks in the tiered compartments because every dieter knows, failing to plan is planning to fail. If you don’t have those chopped organic veggies and fruits handy, you reach for the so-called protein bars (a.k.a. candy) or bagels (six points).

I know this sounds a bit crazy (’cause I am) but I even take it downstairs into the basement with me while I write so that I can keep nose to keyboard and not have to flee every time I get a craving for a chunk of jicama. I’ve also taken it with me when I have to drive a distance and get lots of looks from people who see me toting it. “That lady is stacked,” they’re thinking, and I like the fact they envy what I got on me, you know what I mean?

The best news is my bento is yet another way to eliminate throw-away bags and plastic and is awfully stylish compared to many of the reusable lunch containers made for work and school. It doesn’t leak and is dishwasher safe, too, for those who are sticklers about sanitation – and you should be.

And guess what? VivaTerra is even offering to give away this ultra-cool lunch box for you EcoSalon readers. Just post a comment on how you think you would use it to be entered to win one of your own!

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