A blog about my journey as an athlete and a woman. Come step into her shoes...

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Her Thursday Things to Talk About: Homemade Powerbars

This morning I woke up at 5am, got ready and was about to head out the door, I thought to myself for a minute and then decided against the run. Because of the pain I was feeling during last nights run,  I didn’t think it was a SMART idea to go out for another run less then 24 hours later. I knew I needed to listen to what my body was telling me, even though I wanted to run. So of course I went back to bed for another hour:)

When I got up, I went straight to my Yoga matt and had a personal massage. I used the ROLLIN PIN from the kitchen to work out my IT BAND. Did you know you could do that? I also did pigeon, and other hip opening stretches. After I was finished I wrapped up two gifts, one for one of my teachers today(it’s her birthday) and the other was all the baked goodies I made for Amanda, she was the HIGHEST BIDDER of my NHerShoes Homemade PowerBars.

Check out last night baking action in the kitchen:

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First I had to toast Chopped Pecans, Sliced Almonds, and Unsweetened Coconut.

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Next mix it in with all the other ingredients. Once all ingredients are mixed together, I spread it all out on a buttered pan.

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This morning I chopped all the bars and wrapped them up to send off to dear Amanda, I made a double batch to give to one of my coworkers. The main recipe comes from “Super Natural Cooking”, but I added a few things.

Super Natural Cooking

by Heidi Swanson

Big Sur Power Bar Recipe

If you can’t find the crisp brown rice cereal, no worries - just use regular rice cereal for ex: Rice Crispies - just stay clear of “puffed” rice cereal, it will throw the recipe off. Feel free to substitute other types of nuts, seeds, or whatever little goodies you can dream up.

1 tablespoon coconut oil (or regular butter)
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 cup slivered almonds
2/3 cup (unsweetened) shredded coconut
1 1/4 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups unsweetened crisp brown rice cereal
1 cup brown rice syrup
1/4 cup natural cane sugar
1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
2 tablespoons ground espresso beans
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

my add-ins: 3/4 cup  of chopped dried bananas, and 1 cup of dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a baking pan with the coconut oil. If you like thick power bars, opt for an 8 by 8-inch pan; for thinner bars, use a 9 by 13-inch pan.

On a rimmed baking sheet toast the pecans, almonds, and coconut for about 7 minutes, or until the coconut is deeply golden. Toss once or twice along the way. Mix the oats, toasted nuts, coconut, and the cereal, together in a large bowl and set aside.

Combine the rice syrup, sugar, salt, espresso, and vanilla in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly as it comes to a boil and thickens just a bit, about 4 minutes. Pour the syrup over the oat mixture and stir until it is evenly incorporated.

Spread into the prepared pan and cool to room temperature before cutting into whatever size bars you desire.

Makes 16 to 24 bars.

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Here they come AMANDA!!!!

My breakfast this morning FAILED I made a green monster, which looked delicious but didn't taste so hot. So I made a tri-bowl of cereal:

Fiber one, Banana Nut Cherrios, and Kashi GoLean.

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I am going to CHOOSE to have a GOOD ATTITUDE no matter what I am feeling today. Yesterday I got a little overwhelmed with some problems with my students, I need to let go and just breath!!! Is it the weekend yet?!

Random Question: I have to bring something to the Family Easter Dinner this Sunday, do you have any fun and healthy ideas???

P.S. I will have the Danskin Winner for you tonight, I received over 200+entries!

13 comments:

Alison Can Read said...

Those powerbars look wonderful. It's hard to go wrong with Heidi's recipes.

I brought a real hit to a potluck a few weeks ago: I chopped up a fresh pineapple and mixed it with blueberries. Very simple, but everyone loved it.

Run Sarah said...

I need ideas for easter dinner too...not sure what to do! The powerbars look super yummy and filling.

Anonymous said...

The power bars look great!
I am praying and hoping everything will turn out okay with the running!

No Longer Using said...

thanks for the recipe!!! they look amazing and you did a great job packaging them! amanda is super lucky! :) great idea taking the morning to recover. it really sounds like the shoes are the culprit-- can you possibly get another pair of the last shoes that didn't bother you????? peace and love bobbi! you are an attitude role model i am praying for you :)

Fitnessista said...

the powerbars look amazing- thank you so much for posting the recipe!
have a great day <3

Emily said...

I think I'm having trouble with my IT band as well. The lateral side of my knee has really been hurting a lot.

What kind of running shoes do you buy?

Pete&Liesl said...

The power bars looking amazing Bobbi! I have wanted to try that recipe, and your add ins sound great!
For Easter dinner you should bring a yummy bowl of sauteed' garlic greens, or something sweet potatoish!!

healthy ashley said...

Choosing to have a good attitude is awesome!

The powerbars look just wonderful!

Good for you for listening to your body and holding of on the run.

Pearl said...

oh those powerbars look great!

Every Gym's Nightmare said...

ack- thats awesome! I want to make my own bars

Jen said...

Your breakfast cereal was exactly like what I ate at my dad's place over spring break! I don't usually do cereal anymore so I went all out and threw all that good stuff in there. I love the power bar recipe!

Niki said...

Thanks for the recipe! They look great!!

Good job on listening to your body, you don't want get hurt!!

RunToTheFinish said...

ohh baby those look soooo yummy!! maybe they will convince me to try it at home, but i doubt it, I'll just keep paying for some at bake sales :)