Sunday, February 6, 2011

The Weekend Special

Weekends are great, no? It’s a time to relax, reflect, enjoy time with Family/Friends, and more. Weekend's are also a great time to bake. To me, that relaxing! The aroma of sweet spices, chocolate, or any other baking flavor just makes me smile. I think that’s why I am always buying the sugar cookie candles to light in our house! hehe.

Anyway, this Sunday (today) will be the 9th day into my 2 week Amazing grass challenge and I am REALLY enjoying it. The past few days have focused on quality calories (not quantity) for use of energy and nourishment. Let me just say, this makes A WORLD OF A DIFFERENCE! Looking at the quality of the food you eat is KEY! Is it packed full of nutritious ingredients? Or is it full of processed ingredients you can’t even pronounce? Eek!

Now I am not saying that you should never eat processed food,  it's more that you should avoid it when you can. You know, the 80/20 rule.

That being said, my goal this weekend was to bake a bar that was wholesome, nourishing, and SATISFYING!! Here's goes....

Oh, and there is a TREAT for you from NUTTZO at the end, so be sure to catch that.

Grain Free Coconut Rum Nut Bars (w/ protein)

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  • 1/2 cup PB flour (you can also use 1/4 cup more almond meal and 2 tbsp more protein powder if you don't have PB Flour)
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1 1/3 cup almond meal
  • 45g vanilla protein powder (I used Life Basics Vanilla) or Vanilla Chai amazing grass meal to boost those superfoods.
  • 2 tbsp NUTTZO (or chunky nut butter)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tsp baking powder (really not needed)
  • 1-2 tsp rum extract or 1 TBSP light rum
  • 1 tbsp local honey (or agave nectar)
  • OPTIONAL Add-ins: (1/3 cup raisins/fruit, cinnamon, extra honey or stevia if you like them to be sweeter)
Directions:
Pretty simple, mix all the ingredients together (ya, I am not fancy) and press into a greased baking dish. Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes. Cool and then slice. Makes around 12 bars.
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Calories per bar: 132.2
  • Total Fat: 8.5 g
  • Total Carbs: 7.5 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 3.0 g
  • Protein: 7.7 g
  • sugars: 2.2g
I’d say those are some “quality” stats, eh?

And for your special treat, if you’re a NUTTZO fan like me, you get 25% off by using the code below. You’ll have until Monday (24 hours from now) to purchase your order. This is a special deal they created just for you guys! So cool!!
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Code (all lowercase)- bar
Alright, hope you guys have a lovely Sunday. What’s your Weekend routine? What's makes you live for the weekend?
Cheers,
LC

51 comments:

Gen said...

Great recipe!
We usually just hang out a lot during the weekend!!!!!

Carrie said...

ARG FART i wish i had nuttzo.. slash i wish it were ACCESSIBLE to me :(.. BUT DANG your bars look awesome! and the nutrition stats are stellar!

bamarunner11 said...

Mmmm Nuttzo...

Michelle said...

I love Sundays- even though it is busy it is a laid back busy....... yoga in the morning, my daughter comes with us, then her acting class, then our meditation class at night. Long gone are the days of long runs on Sunday morings followed by naps. But, the joys of 16, 12 and 11 year old kids are good too. I will be trying those bars soon too!!!

Madeline said...

Girlfriend, these look amazing. Can you send me a dozen please? I love weekends because a lot of the time I've been gone all week and it's my time to unwind and sleep in my own bed!

Tawnee said...

Those bars contain all my favorite ingredients! LOVE! (Hm, what a surprise, eh? haha)

jilljub said...

I saw this "pb" for the first time last week at the store and wondered if it was any good. I guess you are a mind reader ;-)

Amy at TheSceneFromMe said...

I've never tried NuttZo, but I will pick some up next time since you say how good it is and the bars you made with it sound wonderful and healthy!!
Love weekends. Especially just being able to relax with my husband without his phone going off with work calls like it does during the week (he works from home). And Saturday morning at the gym is my favorite (kickbox cardio and pilates) back to back!

Heather @ Where's the Beach said...

Those bars look great. I made some no-bake protein bars earlier in the week and need to do just a bit of tweaking, but I think they will end up making for good post-run fuel. Hope you have a fantastic day!

Stephanie said...

I do a lot of cleaning and organizing on the weekends but I also live for runs that feel more *free* because of the lack of time constraints! Those bars look really good!

Kath said...

Totally wow! I still haven't had the courage to get into baking, but I feel I'm preparing inside! (I'm really not a baker, unfortunately.) And this looks so easy and yummy ...

Olivia said...

Yum, I've never tried Nuttzo! Your bars look so good; I love the stats on them! Anything with coconut sounds great to me:)

Christina said...

yayyy!! thank you!! can't wait to try them

Sarah said...

yum those bars look good. Weekends are all about relaxing, getting laundry/ grocery shopping done, teaching yoga and gym time. But basically no work!

kristina said...

I've never tried Nuttzo-but the name itself makes me want to try it! Thanks for the new recipe:)

Jess said...

I love the whole concept of quality calories over quantity and eating for nourishment. For the MOST part, I try to do that - choosing wholesome, healthy and yummy foods that are good for the body. That's not to say that I don't ever stray from that because I do...I'm not perfect, but that balance works for me. I think that's the key - finding the balance to your eating that works for you and keeps you sane. Know what I mean? PS. I LOVE baking in the winter on weekends! I made the best batch of chocolate chip cookies last night, the hubs was in heaven ;-)

Shannon said...

This makes me sad because I don't have... well, any of the ingredients! Except for rum... sort of. I do have honey, but not local, peanut butter but not crunchy, and I have baking soda and vanilla protein powder...

I typically work on the weekends, so nothing exciting for me... really, now the weekend for me is about Monday-Thursday/Friday, and I never do anything special on the days I have off.

I do enjoy baking but don't really have anyone to bake for, which just leaves me with tons of baked goods that I end up eating by myself... so I never really bake so I don't have that temptation.

Dorry said...

Those bars look great, Linds! I need to purchase some different GF flours this week. We have corn meal. I'm going to look at some of your other recipes, too. I'm in the mood for muffins. We are being lazy right now, but I'm planning to do something active this afternoon before the Super Bowl. I'm so excited to try the Amazing Grass - I'm supposed to receive it in the next few days. Hope y'all are having a great Sunday!

Holly said...

Those bars look so good & the stats are AWESOME!
I agree, the weekends are definitely for baking :)
I love the polka dots on the side of your blog- I'm pretty sure they are new, right?! They are so cute :)

Lizzy said...

YAY so excited that you posted this recipe...these bars look amazing!
I loveee the weekend because I have unlimited time to run & relax! I live for the sunny weekends!
I hope you have a great Sunday!
xoxo!

hungryrunnergirl said...

Those bars look absolutely amazing!!! Girl, you are such an inspiration to me in the way you eat. I ALWAYS learn something from your posts. I love sweet smelling candles. I NEED the weekend to just be lazy and see my husband for once ha:) Don't know what I would do without the weekend. Have an amazing Sunday!

purplebirdblog said...

So of course I get paid on Tuesday, right after the coupon code runs out!! Doh!

Momswimbikerun said...

I'm accepting applications for anyone who wants to be amy personal chef! ;) Everything you cook/bake looks great!

Meghan Smith said...

It's like you read my mind! I have been looking for some higher protein snacks recently and these bars look and sound SO good!

Your pictures crack me up! Thanks for the smile :-)

Oh ya, getting to exercise mid-morning and then sit on the couch for the rest of the day is totally what makes me live for the weekend!

Rebecca Lustig said...

Hoping you enjoyed some of that leftover rum on the side...

I think food is meant to, not just keep us alive, but keep us FEELING good. the more we're connected with our bodies, the more we can appreciate what we put in them. It's a major component of self-care, no?!

the bars look fabulous

mamarunsbarefoot said...

YUM YUM!! How do you come up with this stuff????

marathonmaiden said...

so i saw rum and i'm sold ;)

i love the 80/20 idea. it's total how i live. i eat processed stuff but try to keep it to a minimum. sometimes i just crave goldfish or ice cream or something :)

Jessica Lee said...

I cant make treats like that, I'd eat them all!! I've never tried the nutzo butters but hear they are really good :)

Caratunkgirl said...

OMG. Those look fabulous!!!

Jess said...

Love how you spend your weekends :) Hope you are enjoying your Sunday night!!

Jenn @ Peas & Crayons said...

you're nutzo....

=) Enjoy your sunday love!

I glue myself to my husband's side over the weekend. its usually pretty darn fun. <3

Allie said...

Looooovethe weekend! You are right, baking is super relaxing :) It is like aroma therapy LOL. Are you watching the super bowl today? Has it been very busy in TX?! Have a great day :)

Kristina @ spabettie said...

aw, this is going to sound sappy, but weekends are for Jason Time. :) we are usually so busy during the week that we love to relax and unplug (MANY tech free weekends, especially for him as an engineer...). we usually sleep in (meaning up by 7!!) and go on a long walk with Basil...

these bars look fab - I will be making! you look so cute with your nuttzo. :) I've never had it, perhaps I need to make purchasing now?? thanks for the dealio!

Bre said...

Whoo hoo for the amazing grass challenge! I'm going to have to try out those rum bars...but make it almond because rum isn't my fave flavour...bad memories ;) hehehe and Nuttzo! my sister is on a mission to get some and bring it back to Canada! she thinks I might be a little Nuttzo...:-)

Vanessa said...

if you contact the U of Chicago Celiac Center and send them your biopsy information (not sure if you have CD), they will send the gift basket to you!
Vanessa

Shannon said...

definitely quality :) i need to pick me up some coconut flour...

Megan @munchercruncher said...

Linds...Those bars look SO GOOD. Talk to me about PB flour. I've heard of people using, but I've never tried it myself. Why do you like it? What else do you make with it?? Thanks for the new recipe!
I LOVE the weekend. Something about not getting up at 5 AM, and not having a schedule. My saturday workouts are usually long, and I love them. My friends and I always go to a nearby restaurant that has a BOMB salad bar, so I love that fun part of the routine.

Sabrina @ radioactive runner said...

Hi Lindsay,
I have been following your blog for a bit now and really like it! I figured it was time to actually say hi :)
Those bars look reallllly good! I may just have to try them!! I've never heard of NUTTZO but may have to try that too :)

Kissmybroccoli said...

Wow Lindsay! These look delicious! I really need to get my hands on some coconut flour! I NEED these bars! I've never tried Nutzo before...but I think THAT is about to change! Hope you have a great week!

I LOVE baking on the weekends...isn't that what they're for?

Salah said...

wow, these look amazing! I almost bought some coconut flour yesterday at Whole Foods but I didn't know what to do with it! haha

thefitnessfreak said...

Oh, you know I am so making these! The weekend may be over but these will be baking in my oven ASAP : ) Thanks Lindsay!

Mindy@FindingSilverLinings said...

Anything with coconut is all me! These look awesome!!

Lisakthrives said...

Those look great! I've never tried Nuttzo, but it sounds amazing. I'm all for packing in lots of nutrition (quality) over quantity!
I love weekends---I try and start out the day by working so I can have free time later in the day. I also prefer to work out first thing...so I have to battle it out between those two things! Not having a real schedule is what I like best I think!
But...I'm pretty fond of the week days too :)

Lisa @ Bakebikeblog said...

wow - talk about an impressive protien packed bar!!!

Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) said...

I live for family time on the weekends! I spent lots of sleepy time on the couch with my boys this weekend. I am glad you are loving the challenge. I have never tried Amazing Grass, but feel like I should now. The bars look incredible! I hope you are having a great Monday!

(what runs) Lori said...

Totally a bar recipe I could use! Love it! I bet the rum extract really adds a kick to it! I've never used any cool extracts like that! Can't wait to try this one out! And about nuttzo- never had it... maybe i should keep up with your suggestions though... ;)

Averie said...

lindsay these look amazing!!!!!!!!!!
on all levels..from pb, coconut, and almond flour (i have plenty waiting to be used)
to using Protein powder if desired
to coconut flakes ( i have tons on hand!)

they look sooo good!and RUM! I love baked goods w/ rum and i have vegan bananas foster and nobake rum cake balls. I love rum in desserts :)

Small town runner said...

looks yummy!!!

Chuck said...

I'll try to get my order in! Those bars look awesome!

Amber Shea @Almost Vegan said...

Oh man! These look SO tasty.

Sophie said...

What delectable, tasty & special good for you bars!! I love the added rum here!!

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM,..I am going to make them right now!