Berry Protein Bars

I recently got the chance to try some great products from AdvoCare.  I was especially excited to try baking with some of the fun flavored Meal Replacement Shakes! 

I never tried baking with berry protein, but I knew just what I wanted to make...

Berry Protein Bars!!!

These are not only delicious and nutritious! They are easy to make too! All you need is...

Advocare Berry Meal Replacement, egg substitute, unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened applesauce, canned white beans (navy, great northern, chickpeas, garbanzo), vanilla, baking powder, and sweetener of choice.  

*You can absolutely try other flavors of protein! Try orange, chocolate, vanilla...*

*Any type of milk will work.  I prefer unsweetened vanilla almond milk*

First you want to drain and rinse your beans.  Then blend together the beans, egg, milk, applesauce, and vanilla. 

Some beans, such as chickpeas, are a little harder so you may need a little extra liquid to blend it all smooth.  It will be like a pudding consistency.  

Stir in the remaining ingredients and mix well.  

Isn't that color gorgeous!? Feel free to chop up some strawberries and toss those in! I am sure some white chocolate chips would be amazing in there too!

Pour your batter into a baking dish coated with non stick spray.  I used a 5x7 dish, but feel free to double the recipe if using a bigger one.  

Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.  

Stick a toothpick in the middle and if it comes out clean, they are done!

This recipe makes six nice sized bars! I consider the whole batch one serving! 

That's because you can have all six bars for only 233 calories!

They are also packed with protein! 

Feeling crazy?!

Top them off with some fat free cream cheese and sprinkles! 

These make such a great breakfast! Full of fiber and protein so they keep you full and satisfied.   

Plus you are basically having dessert for breakfast!

If you are skeptical about baking with beans, don't be!! You cannot taste the beans at all! They give the bars a great texture and replace the sugar, flour, and butter you would find in most recipes.  

Sure, you could just drink a meal replacement or protein shake...but wouldn't you rather enjoy some delicious Berry Protein Bars?!

Berry Protein Bars

• 1/2 pack of AdvoCare Berry Meal Replacement (30g)
• 1/2 cup canned white beans (130g)
• 1 T egg substitute (15g)
• 1 T unsweetened almond milk (15ml)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (60g)
• 1/2 t baking powder
• 1/2 t vanilla
• sweetener to taste (4-5 packs)

1. Drain and rinse beans
2. Puree beans, egg, milk, applesauce, and vanilla (add a little more milk if needed to blend smooth)
3. Stir in remaining ingredients
4. Pour into baking dish (5x7) coated with nonstick spray
5. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes
6. Enjoy plain or top with fat free cream cheese and sprinkles!!

Makes 6 Bars

Entire Batch (without toppings) - 233 calories

2F 35C 21P

Quest Rice Crispy Treats!

I remember making Rice Crispy Treats as a kid all the time! I still make them with the kiddos I nanny for, but don't eat four or five bars like I used to! I decided to come up with a little healthier version of this childhood treat so I could still enjoy them without the guilt!

Since I didn't want to use an entire bag of sugary marshmallows half a stick of butter, I needed to come up with something to replace those ingredients with...Quest Bar to the rescue!!

Only two ingredients! That is less than what you need for the original recipe.

Puffed Rice cereal and a Cinnamon Roll Quest Bar.  That's it!!

*Get creative!! Try different cereal / bar combos*

First microwave the Quest Bar for about 10 seconds to get it nice and soft.  Break it up into little pieces, put it in a bowl. 

And add a little bit of water (about 1 Tablespoon) Microwave 10 seconds, stir, microwave 10 seconds, stir...

Until you get it to this consistency.  

Stir in your cereal.  

Make sure you get it mixed up really well!

You will want a pretty small container.  I just used some tupperware.  Spray your container with a touch of non stick spray and press the cereal in there. 

Feel free to use two or three bars to make more bars! I consider this one serving.

Place in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to let the bar set up.

And there you have it!

Two big rice crispy treats that are not full of sugar and butter!

Both bars are only 230 calories! 

Because of the Quest Bar, they also contain 21 grams of protein.  Great pre or post workout!

I think next time I will use a Chocolate Brownie Quest Bar to make chocolate treats!

The possibilities are endless! 

Rice Crispy Treats

• 1 Cinnamon Roll Quest Bar
• 1 cup puffed rice cereal (17g)

1. Unwrap Quest Bar, place on microwave safe plate, and microwave 10 seconds
2. Break bar into little pieces, put in a bowl, and add 1 T warm water
3. Stir, microwave 10 seconds, stir, microwave til bar is dissolved
4. Stir in cereal 
5. Lightly coat your dish and press in bar mixture
6. Refrigerate at least 20 minutes
7. Enjoy!

Makes 2 Bars

230 calories for both

 6F 38C 21P

Check out my recipe video too!

Caramel Butterscotch Blondies

Caramel, butterscotch, and white chocolate...do I need to say anything else?! Didn't think so!

Let's get baking! 

You will need...

MTS Caramel Sutra whey, garbanzo/chick peas, canned pumpkin, egg substitute, vanilla, baking powder, sweetener, white chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips.

*If you don't have MTS caramel whey, you could sub any vanilla protein powder*

*Any white bean will work*

Add your beans, egg, and vanilla to a blender and puree.

If you need to, you can add a little water, milk, or more egg to get everything to blend smoothly. 

Stir in everything but the chips.  Pour batter into a sprayed baking dish.  I used a 5x7 dish which gives the bars a perfect thickness.  If you use a bigger pan you will just have to adjust the baking time.  Feel free to double the recipe to make more!

Add as much white chocolate and butterscotch chips as you like!! You could even mix some in the batter.  Into the oven at 350 for 2-25 minutes.

Shh...I snuck a handful or two to snack on while the bars were baking...

Feel free to get creative! You can add dark chocolate, milk chocolate, nuts...

I love how the chips get a little melty on top!

Now, would you believe me if I told you that this whole dish is only 345 calories?! 

Well you should because I never rarely tell a lie!

Yup, not only are these bars delicious and easy to make, they are also good for you!

I will easily eat all 6 bars for breakfast! The entire batch will give you 8F 38C 33P.

That means each bar is only about 58 calories! If you can stop after just one, you have some crazy good will powder!

 The MTS Caramel Sutra really is perfect for this recipe!

You can order some here.  

Use code KH30 and save 30%

Don't worry if you don't have any Caramel Sutra whey though...

I have made these bars with vanilla, chocolate, pumpkin, and cinnamon protein powder!! All of them have been amazing! So go grab whatever protein you have, and get busy! 

 You can thank me later :)

Oh, and if you prefer video recipes, just click here!

Caramel Butterscotch Blondies

• 1 scoop MTS caramel sutra whey (30g)
• 1/2 cup chickpeas (130g)
• 1/4 cup canned pumpkin (60g)
• 3 T egg substitute (46g)
• 1 t vanilla
• 1/2 t baking powder
• sweetener to taste (4-5 packets)
• 1 T butterscotch/white chocolate chips (14g)

1. Drain and rinse beans
2. Puree beans, egg and vanilla
3. Add everything else except chips
4. Pour batter into sprayed baking dish
5. Sprinkle chips on top
6. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes

Makes 6 bars - 58 calories each

Entire batch - 345 calories 

8g Fat 

38g Carb 

33g Protein

Quest Creation - Strawberry Cheesecake Jello Bars

I think it is time I come clean...I am...a Quest Bar addict...There, I said it! I am not ashamed either! These bars taste amazing, are super healthy, and you can turn them into crazy creations! For example, how about some Strawberry Cheesecake Jello Bars?!

This dessert is fantastic! It is a great way to satisfy that sweet tooth.  Plus, it is packed full of protein and very low in fat.  

Don't worry, it is very easy to make! You only need four ingredients.

Vanilla protein powder, unsweetened vanilla almond milk, sugar free fat free strawberry jello mix, and that wonderful Strawberry Cheesecake Quest Bar. 

Unwrap the bar, place on microwave safe plate, and warm it up.  

It only needs 8-10 seconds in the microwave.  Just enough to make it soft enough to mold. 

Place the bar between some parchment paper and roll it nice and thin.  

I am using a small 5x7 baking dish, so I made it to fit.  You could use any shape and size dish.  If your dish is much bigger, you may want to use two bars.  

Coat the dish generously with some non stick spray and just lay the flattened bar in there.  It doesn't have to be a perfect fit because the bar will expand some as we bake it.  Into the oven at 350 for 10-12 minutes.  

Ta-Da! 

Now we have a beautiful and tasty crust for our bars. Stick this in the fridge while we mix up the jello part. 

Add the whole package of jello mix to one cup of boiling water.  If you want, you can add a sweetener to two.  I used one little Splenda. 

Make sure all the powder is dissolved and stick this in the freezer, just to take the chill off.  

In a shaker cup, add 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder and 1/2 cup milk.  Shake it up real good!

If you don't have a shaker cup, you can just use a whisk or spoon.  I find the shaker works really well though! 

Now add the jello mix.  It's ok if it a little warm, you just don't want to add boiling hot liquid to milk...Mix it up some more!

Really work those arm muscles! 

Now you should have a very pretty pink mixture.  Don't worry, we are almost done!!

Stick this back in the fridge or freezer for a bit.  You want to make sure your Quest Bar crust, and jello mixture are completely cool before we do the next step!!

Once you are sure everything it cooled, slowly pour the jello mixture over the crust.  If the jello mix is even a little bit warm, it will start to melt and break apart the crust.  

Stick the in the fridge for about an hour or until the jello has set.  I know...waiting is the worst part!!

 It is so worth it though!! As you can see, I was a little impatient and forgot to take a finished product picture...I couldn't wait to eat a piece!!

 I got six nice sized bars from this recipe.  Let's be honest though, I ate the whole dish by myself...And why shouldn't I?! The whole dish is only 260 calories! That is much less than any teeny tiny piece of cheesecake you might get at a restaurant.  

 That bite is pure perfection! 

The jello is cold and creamy, the crust is sweet and crunchy, and together it is simply amazing!

Yum!!!

 The whole dish also has a whopping 36 grams of protein! I really look forward to this treat after a tough workout!

If you're only excuse for not making this is that you don't have any Quest Bars, then let me stop you right there!!! Go here and buy some now! I promise you will be glad you did :)

Strawberry Cheesecake Jello Bars

• 1 Strawberry Cheesecake Quest Bar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (120ml)
• 1 package sugar free fat free strawberry jello mix
• 1/2 scoop MTS vanilla whey (15g)
• 1 cup water
• sweetener if desired

1. Microwave Quest Bar for 10 seconds.
2. With a rolling pin, flatten the bar between parchment paper. Make is fit whatever size dish you are using. 
3. Coat dish with nonstick spray and place flattened bar on bottom.
4. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes
5. Let cool completely.
6. Mix together entire package of jello and 1 cup boiling water.  Let cool.
7. In a shaker cup, mix milk and protein powder.  Add jello mixture once it is cool. 
8. Once crust and jello mixture are both completely cooled, slowly pour jello over the crust.
9. Place in fridge for 1-2 hours or until jello is set.
10. Enjoy!!

Makes 6 Bars

Whole Dish - 260 calories

7g Fat

29g Carb

36g Protein 

Quest Creation - Creamy Coconut Cups

Quest Bars are amazing! They taste delicious and are actually good for you! Packed with protein, no added sugar, and only the best ingredients  The best part about them is that you can turn them into so many crazy and yummy treats! For example, some Creamy Coconut Cups!

Can you believe these were made from a Quest Bar?! True story!

So simple too! All you need is a Coconut Cashew Quest Bar, nonfat plain greek yogurt, shredded coconut, vanilla, and sweetener if you like. 

I used unsweetened coconut, but whatever you prefer is fine.  You could use any type of yogurt, but I prefer the thickness of greek.  

Unwrap that wonderful bar and microwave for 10 seconds.  

Make sure you use a microwave safe plate.  I recommend using parchment paper so it doesn't stick.  DON'T use a napkin or paper towel!

I am making two tasty treats, but you could also make this as one bigger dessert.  Coat whatever dishes you are using very generously with nonstick spray. Break the softened bar into two pieces and just mold it into the dish.  

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. 

Let them cool completely before trying to get them out of the baking dishes.  

I stuck mine in the freezer for a couple minutes and popped them out.  Just go around the edges slowly with a knife and they should come out pretty easily. 

While those are cooling you can mix up the filling.  Just add your yogurt, coconut, vanilla, and sweetener to a bowl and stir.

This stuff is great to eat just like this! It also makes a great dip for crackers and pretzels.  Try your best to not eat it all this time!

Once your cups are cooled, just plop a spoonful of the filling in each one. 

Make sure they are completely cooled so you don't melt the yogurt. 

 Take a little more of that shredded coconut and sprinkle it on top!

I just love coconut! The smell...the taste...

How amazing do those look?!

The best part is they are a "clean cheat" That means they taste like something that is not so good for you...but they really are good for you! Packed with protein from the bar and yogurt, sweet from the coconut and vanilla, and just simply delicious! 

 Seriously...

Just look at that bite!!

 The bar makes a perfect crunchy crust and the yogurt is cold and creamy.  

So go buy some Quest Bars, make these, and share the recipe with your family and friends!!

Creamy Coconut Cups

• 1 coconut cashew Quest bar
• 1/4 cup nonfat plain greek yogurt (56g)
• 1 T unsweetened shredded coconut (5g)
• 1/4 t vanilla
• sweetener if desired

1. Microwave bar for 10 seconds on microwave safe plate.
2. Cut in 2 pieces.
3. Mold into baking dish - use nonstick spray!
4. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.
5. Let cool.
6. Mix together yogurt, coconut, vanilla, and sweetener.
7. Fill cups with mixture and top with more coconut.

For both cups - 233 calories 

9g Fat

 28g Carb 

26g Protein