Happy Black Friday everyone!! How about a recipe to start Post-Thanksgiving out right?
This recipe is loaded with protein. Protein from the nuts, hemp seeds and added protein powder. Look at is as a homemade protein bar. This is the perfect choice for after a workout or when you need an extra boost of protein in your day. I can’t tell my husband where I store them or he eats too many!
Before I get into the recipe I want to tell you a few things about whey protein powders. Not all protein powders are created equal. There are some terrible protein powders out there that use chemical processes with harsh chemicals that are probably worse off for you than a drive-through sandwich. And because of the chemical processes they are nutritionally deficient and damages the protein. But on the flip side, there are some amazing and healing whey protein powders on the market. You want one where the whey comes from organic and grass fed cows, It doesn’t contain artificial ingredients or artificial sweeteners, and is cold processed.
According to Dr. Mercola there are a few essentials in choosing a good whey protein powder:
- Whey from Organic and grass-fed cows (not grain-fed and pesticide given cows)
- GMO-free whey
- Cold processes, not heat processed
- Acid-free processing
- Whey protein concentrates, not isolates
- Sweetened naturally, not with artificial sweeteners and flavorings
- Free from toxic heavy metals (yes, these are still in some highly manufactured protein powders)
My Favorite Whey Protein Powder
My Favorite Dairy Free Beef Protein Powder
And my little nugget I want to pass on to you is that a good protein powder WILL cost more than the unhealthy alternatives. It is worth your investment! If you are completely dairy free and don’t do whey, I want to give you some alternatives. I like hemp protein and pea protein. If you don’t do any protein powders, you can substitute the protein powder in this recipe for almond flour or chopped nuts or seeds.
I often say about my recipes that you can have more than one. Have a muffin or two. Have more than one peanut butter cup. But when I talk about these treats, I would only eat one, maybe two after a hard workout. They have so much protein you don’t need any more than that. Don’t look at this recipe as a dessert but as a protein bar (or ball) that you make.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted almond butter (or other nut butter)
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
3/4 cup whey protein powder (or hemp/ pea protein for a whey-free alternative)
1/2 cup slivered almonds
2 Tablespoons hemp seeds
2 Tablespoons chia seeds
1-2 teaspoons stevia (to your taste level)
Directions
- In a bowl add the almond butter and the almond extract and using a spatula or a wooden spoon, stir to combine.
- Add the rest of the ingredients: shredded coconut, protein powder, almonds, hemp seeds, chia seeds and stevia. Completely mix to combine. It may be hard to do because it can get pretty dry and that exactly what you want
- Using a cookie scoop or small spoon form into balls and set on a cookie sheet
- Put the cookie sheet into the fridge or freezer until they set. Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. I prefer to store mine in the freezer
- 1 cup unsalted almond butter (or other nut butter)
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 3/4 cup whey protein powder (or hemp/ pea protein for a whey-free alternative)
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 2 Tablespoons hemp seeds
- 2 Tablespoons chia seeds
- 1-2 teaspoons stevia (to your taste level)
- In a bowl add the almond butter and the almond extract and using a spatula or a wooden spoon, stir to combine.
- Add the rest of the ingredients: shredded coconut, protein powder, almonds, hemp seeds, chia seeds and stevia. Completely mix to combine. It may be hard to do because it can get pretty dry and that exactly what you want
- Using a cookie scoop or small spoon form into balls and set on a cookie sheet
- Put the cookie sheet into the fridge or freezer until they set. Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. I prefer to store mine in the freezer
Sources
http://proteinpowder.mercola.com/Miracle-Whey-Protein.html
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