rustic protein bars: vegan

We’re off to the snow this weekend for a small taster before our big week on the slopes in August.

Our snow gear has been in storage for 2 years as we missed last year’s season and the one before we were overseas. Digging out our gear was fun, it felt like Christmas again. I was constantly saying ‘Oh, I’d forgotten I had that!’. We hung our jackets and pants on the stairs to get some air, but it only made us more impatient to be at the snow.

So, we’re excited.

Joel is a snow boarder, but I’m a skier from way back. It’s always fun to tease each other on the slopes, as we’ve got totally different styles.

In the mad rush of getting everything together, I wanted to make a healthy and cheap energy hit that we could just take with us on the hill.

Because of the busyness I didn’t spend too long on the pretty-ness of these bars, so they really have that ‘rustic’ look.

I know they look rough, BUT, they are ever so yum and will do the trick for our protein and energy hits.

Ingredients

(makes 16)

Dry

1 c rolled oats

2 c popped amaranth

½ c coconut flakes

¼ c protein powder (I’ve used hemp seed protein)

½ c dried/dehydrated fruit (I recently dehydrated some fresh cranberries and gooseberries – took 12 hours)

¼ c pine nuts

Wet

¼ c agave syrup

¼ c unhulled tahini

2 tblsp coconut butter

½ c water

Heat oven to 130 C and line a loaf/slice tin with baking paper.

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Heat the wet ingredients in a small pot over the stove until tahini is well integrated.

Pour the wet ingredients over the dry and stir well to combine.

Spoon mixture into the lined tray and press mixture firmly down.

Place in oven and cook for 45 minutes to an hour.

Cool completely before slicing.

Can store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze pulling them out as required.

raw protein energy balls

This past weekend we spent canyoning.

It was so much fun! But just a little chilly.

This recipe is something that I whipped up last week to take with us.

High protein energy hits.

It’s just what we needed while tackling the uphill climbs, 25m waterfall abseils, giant boulders and not to mention the last three hours of hiking and navigating in the dark.

I will definitely be making these again! Especially for the snow skiing later in the year.

While I was making these, I just kept adding bits and pieces that I know would be super nourishing for our bodies and was so surprised when rolling the balls that the mixture turned out to make 40!

I think I'll be freezing half the batch for a quick snacks at a later date.

Ingredients

(makes 40)

2 c triticle flakes, soaked for 12 hours and drained

1/2 c dried dates, soaked for 12 hours and drained

1/2 c raw peanuts + extra

1/4 c shredded coconut + extra

2 tblsp chia seeds

1 tblsp raw super food powder*

2 tblsp raw protein powder

1/4 c dried cranberries

1/4 c almond butter

3 tblsp agave syrup

1/4 c raisins

10 drops stevia

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until well combined - should resemble a sticky dough-like consistency.

In a mortar and pestle combine the extra coconut and peanuts (you could also add a pinch of vanilla salt).

Grind until the peanuts a broken into pieces.

Scoop out tablespoon size portions of the processed mixture and using wet hands, roll into balls.

Then roll the balls in the coconut and peanut mixture and set in the refrigerator over night.

You can store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for later consumption.

*I use a super food powder that is a mix of the top 15 super foods (known) of the world.

Unfortunately I didn’t get the camera out for the abseils or the glow worm tunnel, but here’s a couple of snap shots.

Morning view of the mountains.

Cooking up our oats for breakfast.

Ice on the tent. Brrr.

View from the first cliff climb.

Morning tea with our energy balls.

Last bit of sunlight for the afternoon.