Goin' Nuts for Protein Bars!

Today I thought I would share an awesome protein bar recipe. I reviewed a couple of other recipes and came up with this very nutty version, infused with almonds, which are a great source of magnesium. Magnesium is essential for proper calcium absorption and is deficient in most American diets.

I hope to have a photograph to add soon, but at the moment our desktop PC has caught a viral infection and is scheduled for a doctor appointment soon. If only we could pour AB Anti-oxidant and Immunity Booster into our hard drives to help give the anti-virus software a boost in protection against computer cancers! (LOL)

The bars below are perfect as snacks for the entire family. They contain no white sugars or carbs, and are digested much more slowly by your inner workings - which is a very good thing.  As a mom, it gives me peace of mind to know exactly what is in my kid's granola bars. The bars contain both fiber and protein, and are therefore quite satisfying. If you find you have a crazy night of meetings, sports and are a family on the go - make up these bars, wrap them individually and store in the refrigerator. Grab several on the way out to basketball practice, a board meeting, or what have you - to get you through the evening.

Although I personally try to avoid snacking mid-day (I try to avoid sending out insulin, which stores fat - this happens every time you eat) - if you find you are having a snack craving, these protein bars are a much healthier alternative than something else that might be tempting you.  No baking is involved - they whip up quite quickly! I found my oat products in the bulk food section at Copp's, or Willy Street - many grocery stores  now offer bulk food options. It is a great source for nuts (look for unsalted, raw is best), and organic grains.

Vanilla Nutrageous Bars by Rita Shimniok
In a microwave safe dish combine:
2 c. organic almond butter
1 3/4 cup agave nectar or honey (start with 1 1/4 c. and add if needed to pull dry ingredients together)
1 T freshly squeezed orange juice (optional)

Mix following dry ingredients in large bowl:
3 cups organic rolled outs
1 cup steel cut oats
3 scoops Arbonne Fit Vanilla Protein Powder
1 scoop Arbonne Daily Fiber Booster
1 T (heaping is good!) good quality cinnamon
1/2-1 cup finely chopped nuts (I used approx. 1/2 cup each cashews and pecans)
3/4 c. sliced almonds, set aside

In microwave safe dish measure out almond butter and liquid sweetener - warm for about a minute on 3/4 power to create a more liquid consistency. Stir in orange juice if desired. Pour into bowl of dry ingredients using sturdy wooden spoon to stir and blend until well mixed. Set mixture into a stoneware pan or glass dish, and use spoon to flatten out in pan. Pat sliced almonds on-the-go snack or meal.

To your health!
Rita S.