{"id":10971,"date":"2013-04-08T00:01:07","date_gmt":"2013-04-08T04:01:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/?p=10971"},"modified":"2013-04-08T01:17:33","modified_gmt":"2013-04-08T05:17:33","slug":"at-home-with-gch-protein-bites-and-bars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/2013\/04\/08\/at-home-with-gch-protein-bites-and-bars\/","title":{"rendered":"At Home with GCH &#8211; Protein Bites and Bars"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Here on our <strong><i>At Home with GCH<\/i> <\/strong>blog, Monday\u2019s are always focused on <i>healthy but oh-so-yummy!<\/i> recipes.\u00a0 This month, along with the next six months also, I am on a &#8220;7&#8221; journey with a few friends.\u00a0 We are <strong><span style=\"color: #339966;\">fasting from some of the excess <\/span><\/strong>in our lives, and endeavoring to establish better boundaries to help us <strong><span style=\"color: #339966;\">keep God as the focus<\/span><\/strong> of our hearts.\u00a0 We are, it has been said, having a \u2018<strong><span style=\"color: #339966;\">mutiny against excess<\/span><\/strong>!\u2019 It has been very good but not without challenges!\u00a0 But I think challenges and trials are a necessary part of the journey when you are making lifestyle changes.\u00a0 If you would like to take a peek at what we have committed to do, please follow this link and visit my friend Megan\u2019s website,\u00a0 T<a title=\"the future\" href=\"http:\/\/megansmidt.com\/2013\/03\/7-the-future\/ \" target=\"_blank\">he Future<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Also here is a link to Jen Hatmaker\u2019s book we are reading on our journey:\u00a0 <a title=\"&quot;7&quot; Experimental Mutiny Against Excess\" href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/7-Experimental-Mutiny-Against-Excess\/dp\/1433672960\" target=\"_blank\">7 Experimental Mutiny Against Excess<\/a><\/p>\n<p>This month, we have begun the journey dealing with <strong><span style=\"color: #339966;\">excess in the category of <em>food<\/em><\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 (Say, WHAT?!?) Yes, yes&#8230;. So here\u2019s what Robert and I are keeping in our NON-excessive food list for the next 18 days (ready? it is a short list): eggs, chicken, salad greens, grapes (me) and strawberries (him), potatoes, broccoli, -and- protein bars and smoothies.\u00a0 Also, I am endeavoring to have everything* that my husband and I eat be UNprocessed and made from fresh ingredients.<\/p>\n<p>A few of my friends are supporting their desire to keep to this <span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong>discipline of\u00a0 &#8220;7<\/strong>&#8221; <\/span>by having protein shakes and bars as part of their foods.\u00a0 \u2018Wow,&#8221; I thought, &#8220;that is a great idea&#8230;why didn\u2019t I think about that?!?&#8221;\u00a0 So, I did think about it!\u00a0 And found some incredible ideas out there!\u00a0 The two recipes that follow are adaptations of what I found.<\/p>\n<p>I think that these bites and bars are healthy and satisfying on so many levels!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/IMG_0207.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-10974\" alt=\"IMG_0207\" src=\"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/IMG_0207-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/IMG_0207-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/IMG_0207-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The bites are &#8220;raw;&#8221; so good for you.\u00a0 The bars are only lightly baked.<\/li>\n<li>They are loaded with protein.<\/li>\n<li>They are chock full of nutritious dried fruits.<\/li>\n<li>Use \u2018better-for-you\u2019 alternative sweetener.<\/li>\n<li>Great chew factor \u2013 ok, maybe only important to me \ud83d\ude09<\/li>\n<li>Easily adaptable to fit almost any eating style (vegan: substitute agave nectar for honey; gluten-free: substitute chia seeds&#8211;or just more flax&#8211;for wheat germ)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This recipe comes together almost more quickly than you can gather the ingredients!\u00a0 Super simple, easy&#8230;and in the end&#8230;super healthy but oh-so-yummy!<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #339966; text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Pistachio-Cranberry Energy Bites<\/span> <\/span><\/strong>(makes 48 or so)<a href=\"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/2013-04-07-10.20.51.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10972\" alt=\"2013-04-07 10.20.51\" src=\"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/2013-04-07-10.20.51-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/2013-04-07-10.20.51-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/2013-04-07-10.20.51.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ingredients:<br \/>\n8 ounces (about 1 packed cup) chopped dates<br \/>\n1\/2 cup honey<br \/>\n1 tablespoon flax seeds<br \/>\n1 tablespoon wheat germ<br \/>\npinch of kosher salt<br \/>\n1+1\/2 cups old-fashioned oats (dry, not cooked)<br \/>\n1 cup shelled pistachios<br \/>\n1 cup dried cranberries<\/p>\n<p>Directions:<br \/>\nCombine the dates, honey, flax seeds, wheat germ and salt in a food processor, and pulse until smooth and combined. You should be able to stir the mixture\u2014if it is too thick, add in another tablespoon or two of honey.<\/p>\n<p>Transfer this mixture to a large bowl and add in the oats, pistachios, dried cranberries until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.<\/p>\n<p>Once the mixture has been refrigerated (so much easier to work with), use a spoon or cookie scoop to portion out the energy balls, and give a quick roll to them.\u00a0 (Mine were about 1-inch in diameter.)\u00a0 Occasionally, you should rinse your hands and dry them; then start rolling the mixture again.\u00a0 Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. (Storing them in the refrigerator especially helps the bites keep their shape.)<\/p>\n<p>Note: Instead you can line a small baking pan with parchment paper, and press the mixture evenly into the pan, let it cool, and then cut into bars.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u00a0 * &#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;- *<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Now, these bars are of a totally different consistency&#8230;more like a cereal bar.\u00a0 Very filling, tasty and delicious!<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #33cccc; text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #339966; text-decoration: underline;\">Breakfast Protein Bars (Paleo-friendly)<\/span><\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/2013-04-07-11.54.51.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10973\" alt=\"2013-04-07 11.54.51\" src=\"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/2013-04-07-11.54.51-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/2013-04-07-11.54.51-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/2013-04-07-11.54.51.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Ingredients:<br \/>\n1 cup blanched almond flour**<br \/>\n1\/4 teaspoon sea salt<br \/>\n1\/2 cup coconut oil<br \/>\n2 tablespoons honey<br \/>\n1 tablespoon water<br \/>\n1 teaspoon almond extract<br \/>\n1\/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut<br \/>\n1\/2 cup pumpkin seeds<br \/>\n1\/2 cup sunflower seeds<br \/>\n1\/4 cup blanched slivered almonds<br \/>\n1\/2 cup raisins<\/p>\n<p>Directions:<br \/>\nPreheat oven to 350.\u00a0 In a food processor combine almond flour and salt.\u00a0 Pulse in coconut oil, honey, water, and almond extract.\u00a0 Pulse in coconut, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds and raisins.<br \/>\nPress dough into a\u00a08x8inch baking dish, (your hands should be slightly damp to pat dough down.)\u00a0 Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Cool.\u00a0 Cut into 16 pieces.<\/p>\n<p>NOTES: *The only &#8220;processed&#8221; thing that I am including in anything that I am preparing is protein powder for our bars and smoothies.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-align: left; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;\">God loves you!<\/span><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">\u00a0 \u2665\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"text-align: left; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;\"> (Don\u2019t ever forget that!)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\">\u2665\u00a0<\/span> coleen<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #339966;\">______________________<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">If you would like to send a personal message to Coleen, in regards to this blog, please email her at: <strong>Coleen@girlfriendscoffeehour.com<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here on our At Home with GCH blog, Monday\u2019s are always focused on healthy but oh-so-yummy! recipes.\u00a0 This month, along with the next six months also, I am on a &#8220;7&#8221; journey with a few friends.\u00a0 We are fasting from some of the excess in our lives, and endeavoring to establish better boundaries to help [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":10974,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[15],"tags":[2178,2184,9296,235,425,483,2180,675,2179,2182,2181,2183],"class_list":["post-10971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-at-home-with-gch","tag-2178","tag-almond-flour","tag-at-home-with-gch","tag-coleen-hayden","tag-girlfriends-coffee-hour","tag-healthy-but-oh-so-yummy","tag-jen-hatmaker","tag-megan-smidt","tag-mutiny-against-excess","tag-protein-bites-and-bars","tag-seven-foods","tag-smoothies","entry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/IMG_0207.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p39pHp-2QX","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10971"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10971\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10977,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10971\/revisions\/10977"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10974"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}