However, oftentimes that means being out someplace where you don't have access to the refrigerator. So you have to bring along a beverage to quench your thrist and something to keep your energy level up so you don't collapse.
I love to make homemade granola like I made in a previous post as well as granola bars. In fact when we're hiking in the mountains of Colorado for hours on end we always bring some with us and even some sort of wrap, usually turkey, in our backpacks.
Here's a simple recipe for high energy, high protein granola bars. This isn't a low fat bar but packs the punch to fuel your body for hours.
Feel free to substitute any of the ingredients for ones you prefer. I'll give a list of some other alternatives at the bottom of the recipe.
High Energy, High Protein, Granola Bar
(serving size depends on how you slice them)
Preheat oven to 350 degree
Line a 9 1/2 x 13" pan with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Dry Ingredients:
3 cups whole grain cereal (I used Kashi GoLean w/13g of protein)
1/2 cup nuts or seeds ( I used chopped raw almonds and sunflower seeds)
1 small pack of ground Flax Seed - approximately 1 tablespoon or more if you like
(Flax Seed is high in Omega-3 Oils and Lignans)
1/2 cup dried fruit or a mix - (I used figs & apricots)
Mix dry ingredients together and set aside
Wet Ingredients:
1/4 cup sunflower butter
3/4 cup honey
plus 2 tsp. cinnamon
Mix wet ingredients plus cinnamon in a sauce pan and heat to a boil. Pour over the dry ingredients and blend together.
Spread out into your sheet pan edge to edge and pack firmly down.
Place in preheated oven and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes. Let cool completely.
Pull out block of granola by foil and turn over onto a cutting board. You can slice into squares or make a horizontal slice down the center and then cut into individual bar shapes. Can wrap individually in wax or parchment paper or plastic wrap.
Note:
If you don't want to use sunflower butter feel free to use any other kind such as: peanut, almond, cashew, etc. If it's all natural and doesn't contain salt add a pinch to your wet ingredients after cooking.
Any type of combination of dried fruits would be great. Just make sure they are cut up into small squares so they're easy to eat. You can add dried craisins, raisins, pineapple, etc.
In place of honey you could use Agave Nectar, Maple Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, etc.
Any combination of nuts will work depending on what you like. If you're allergic then don't add any. Sunflower seeds and butter are a good alternative to those with allergies. If you love chocolate add chocolate chips or m&m's
Be creative and if you like you can add different extracts or oils, even sesame seed oil for some great flavor.
Have fun with these.
