Coconut Cashew Protein Balls Recipe

I love LARABAR Original Fruit & Nut Bars. What's not to love about dates, nuts, and spices?  These bars are rich and decadent with good for you ingredients.  I often reach for a LARABAR when I'm craving something sweet and trying to be good.  Emphasis on trying.  Even though LARABARs are often sold among protein bars I would argue they are not a protein bar considering they average 3-5 grams of protein per bar.  However, what they lack in protein they more than make up for in flavor and texture.  LARABARs are soft and moist and not the protein bar bricks I grew up with that my mom used to share with our family dog during long runs.  Totally not making that up.  My former dog loved peanut butter flavored PowerBars.  She also loved GU gel, which at the time was the only soft protein product around.  Who else remembers the weird goodness that was GU?

I've been experimenting with recipes in search of making my own protein treat that's not a dry brick.  After a few failures (I gave up on protein cookies) I believe I finally achieved what I set out to do with this recipe.  These protein balls are soft and moist (I have to stop saying "moist") and don't have that artificial protein taste found in so many commercial protein goods.  I would describe them as LARABAR Cashew Cookie meets Trader Joe's Coconut Cashews.  And if you have tried either, they are both equally awesome.

You can still make these protein balls even if you don't have coconut flavored protein powder lying around.  Vanilla would be a substitute with a similar taste.   I'm sure chocolate would also be good, however, I'm more of a vanilla gal.  Actually I'm more sprinkles, but I've completely lost track of the direction of this post.  Just remember the flavor profile will be different if you use a different protein powder or nut butter flavor.  If you do go rouge, and we all know I'm a fan of going rouge, let me know how your protein balls turned out in the comments below.

Coconut Cashew Protein Balls 

Ingredients:
1/2 cup uncooked oatmeal
1 scoop coconut flavored whey protein powder, approximately 1/4 cup (I like and use ISOPURE Low Carb Protein Powder in Toasted Coconut)
3 tablespoons hemp seeds
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
4 tablespoons cashew butter
1 tablespoon agave nectar*
2-3 tablespoons water
Optional: extra coconut flakes to roll balls in

Directions:
1.  Put all ingredients except optional coconut flakes into food processor.  Pulse until ingredients are incorporated and dough is soft.  If dough is dry and crumbly add one tablespoon of water at a time until desired consistency is achieved
2. Roll dough into 1 inch sized balls
3. Optional: roll formed balls in extra coconut flakes

Enjoy immediately or bring these protein balls with you for an on the go delicious, protein-packed treat.

* For a sweeter protein ball use 2 tablespoons agave and 2 tablespoons water in above recipe

Oat Bran Protein Pudding

I'm not a vegetarian since I do eat meat.  I go through phases, however, were meat really grosses me out.  Expect for bacon.  I always love bacon.  Unless I'm making a conscious effort, I often do not eat a lot of protein in my diet, which leaves me tired and hungry.  I could live off cereal, both cold and hot, and found a way to make cereal more filling, which leads me to today's post.

My friend turned me on to Isopure protein powders since I kind of have an obsession with protein powder in general.  I've tried lots of brands, which are decent (Syntrax Nectar, Designer Protein) and others that are just plain disgusting (Raw, Organic Protein).  Currently I'm all about Isopure Zero Carb protein powders.  They are rich, luxurious, come in a number of mouthwatering flavors, and leave me full and content.  Plus I can cook with them.

When I'm home, or have time in the morning, I make oat bran.  What can I say, I like old lady cardigans and old lady food.  Oat bran is cheap and full of healthy carbs and fiber, but it is boring on its own.  And like oatmeal, it doesn't always fill me up for long.  This is my take on making oat bran protein packed so I can stay full and have a productive morning.

Oat Bran Protein Pudding

Ingredients:
1/3 cup of dry oat bran
3 ounces liquid egg whites
5 ounces liquid (water, milk, nut milk)
1 packet stevia (or other sweetener of your choice)
Pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/4 tsp cinnamon (depending on the protein powder I'm adding I sometimes omit this)
1 scoop protein powder
Toppings of your choice (fruit, milk, half and half, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, etc.)

Directions:
1. Combine oat bran, egg whites, liquid, stevia, and spices in a microwave safe container, mix well.

2. Cook oat bran mixture in the microwave on high for 30 seconds, remove and stir well.
3. Continue cooking for a total of 2 minutes or until liquid is absorbed making sure to stir the oat bran mixture every 30 seconds.
4. Once cooked mix in protein powder.

You can eat the oat bran as is or with the toppings of your choice.

But do not, and I repeat, DO NOT forget to mix the oat bran mixture every 30 seconds.  The goal is creamy, well blended texture.

Currently I've been making Strawberries and Cream Oat Bran Protein Powder using Isopure Zero Carb Strawberries and Cream.

That color!  It reminds me of the awesome, and oh so sugary, oatmeal I used to love as a kid.  

For those who follow Smart Points this breakfast is 4-6 Smart Points depending on how you make your oat bran and the protein powder you use.  Not bad for a filling, healthy meal.

Plus see that yummy creation in the top corner?  Any idea what it is?  Recipe here.

Enjoy and happy, healthy eating!