Breakfast on the Go

Mornings can be crazy sometimes and we don't always have time for a good breakfast. I'm not a big cereal fan and I really need protein to feel good in the morning. Protein Bars are my favorite solution to this problem.

Now that school is beginning again, I'm sure this recipe will come in handy for all you busy moms. A word to the wise: Don't call them protein Bars. Tell the kids they are Oatmeal Cinnamon Bars and they'll never know it's good for them. They will think that you've finally slacked off in your perverse pleasure of making them eat horrible tasteless foods. They might even decide that you are a "COOL"  mom after all. :)

This recipe is from my natural foods friend and mid wife extraordinaire, Tricia Spears.

Protein Bars (AKA: Oatmeal Cinnamon Bars) lol


Cream:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/2 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar

Then mix in:
2 TBL honey
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 TBL milk

Add and blend well:
1 cup flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
1 1/4 cups TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein)*

Stir in:
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, dried cranberries or raisins

Press into a 9x13 pan, lightly greased.
Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until lightly golden.
Let cool  slightly, then cut into 16 bars. Cool completely.
I then place each bar into a zip lock snack bag and put all the little bags in a gallon zip lock.
Store in the freezer and remove a bar as needed. For a quick thaw, zap in the microwave 15 seconds.

* My TVP seems to be pretty tough when it is used dry as in this recipe. Therefore I blend it a little at a time in a blender to break it into finer pieces, almost like flour.

This time I used a combination of pecans and almonds, raisins and dried cranberries then topped the batter with cinnamon chips.

Play with the add-ins: slivered almonds and dried apricots, pecans and cranberries, walnuts and dried apple, etc.

Remember, it's OK to play with your food! :)