Chocolate Chunk Protein Bars

We actually don't experiment with protein bars that much. We usually just stick with the same ones over and over again. I must admit though, I have to give Scott the credit on this one, it was his idea! We took the original chocolate protein bar recipe and made it even better. These are so good!

Clean Eat Recipe: Chocolate Chunk Protein Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup gluten-free oat flour
• 2 scoops of chocolate protein powder
• 1/4 cup Stevia in the Raw
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 egg whites
• 8 oz berry flavored baby food (or 3-4 oz of unsweetened applesauce + 2-3 oz of plain Greek yogurt)
• 2 oz water or unsweetened almond milk
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 4 squares dark chocolate (70% or higher)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl (excluding dark chocolate)
3. Mix wet ingredients together in a medium size bowl
4. Add the ingredients from the small bowl into the large bowl and mix together
5. Crush dark chocolate into small chunks and stir into batter
6. Spray 8X8 dish (I use Pyrex) with non-stick spray and add batter to the dish
7. Bake for 25-28 minutes

You MUST store these in the refrigerator or freezer as they will spoil because they have no preservatives!

Makes 16 squares. We normally eat 4 squares as a snack/meal.

Healthy, Protein-Packed Hot Chocolate

We had a cold snap here in Georgia where all I wanted was hot chocolate. I'm pretty picky about hot chocolate too so it took me quite a few tries to get this one to where I would "approve" but I definitely think I hit the nail on the head, if I can say so myself! This will warm you up and also provide you with the protein you need. It's perfect as a "snack" during the day, maybe after breakfast or even right before bed while you are relaxing! You can't go wrong with this one! Try it and let us know what you think!

HEALTHY, PROTEIN-PACKED HOT CHOCOLATE

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• 2 small scoops stevia
• 1/4 cup liquid egg whites
• 1 packet TLS vanilla whey protein powder {If you are interested in ordering this product email us at thegang@heandsheeatclean.com and we can also send you a free Shake & Bake Recipe eBook!}

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients, excluding almond milk. Blend together using a hand blender. You can use a regular blender but because there isn't much liquid it will be more difficult so I suggest a hand blender/frother or even combining by hand mixing.

2 Heat almond milk over medium heat until it starts boiling (Be careful as it will overflow quickly!)

3. Add hot almond milk to blended ingredients and stir to combine

Enjoy!

- Whitney

Clean Eat Recipe: Charged Peppermint Almond Hot Chocolate

Can we just tell you how much we love Christmastime? It's such a fun time of year and just because you are a clean eater, doesn't mean you should miss out on any (and we said ANY) of the festive drinks available this time of year. Insert your favorite coffee chain here and let's whip up something that will take your taste buds straight through to December!

We have been cooking up some fancy treats with some amazing flavored liquid stevia, Sweet Drops from SweetLeaf. If you haven't had a chance to check them out, you definitely should! Their products are all natural, zero calorie and zero gylcemic response. Check out the flavors - Pumpkin Spice, Peppermint Mocha, Rootbeer - how could you go wrong!?!

Note: We aren't that big of fans of dairy, so we used unsweetened almond milk in this recipe. If you have a craving and don't have any on hand, organic cow's milk will work just as well. 

Charged Peppermint Almond Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

• 2/3 c unsweetened almond milk, warm
• 1/3 c your favorite organic brewed coffee, warm (We love Marley Coffee. It's sustainability grown, ethically farmed, and artisan roasted.)
• 1 TBSP Sweetleaf Peppermint Mocha Sweet Drops
• 1 TBSP all-natural, unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions:

1. Warm almond milk, preferably on your stovetop to slightly warmer than desired temperature.

2. Prepare your favorite organic coffee as directed.

3. Mix all ingredients together.

4. Allow mixture to cool to desired temperature prior to drinking. 

This is such a wonderful drink! It's so easy to make and will wow your guests (or your taste buds). You will forget all about that corner coffee shop and start enjoying treats that are as good for you as they taste!

A special thank you to SweetLeaf Sweet Drops for allowing us to try the Sweet Drops and post a recipe.