Bars. They’re an addiction to some, a necessity to others and generally just part of our active lives. I am a little from all of these columns and I rely on bars so so much and I love these guys because they are a two in one: chocolate sweet cravings curbed and portable nutrition.
The beauty of these guys is the clean carbs from the dates, healthy fats of seeds, almonds and cacao, protein from the PlantFusion, almonds, seeds and additional energy from cacao. I hate bars because I can’t find any that don’t have glaring flaws from over abundance of soy and junk, to to much fat, pure carb bars with clean ingredients or high sugar. They all have stuff wrong and are so expensive so! answer? Make them yourself! For me, these are everything I wished Lara bars were but fell short. Enjoy.
1/3 c Almonds
2 TBS Sunflower Seeds
1/4 c Coconut Flakes ( I use low fat shredded )
1 Scoop Chocolate Plant Fusion (Omit if you don’t have it and add more
coconut flake/cacao)
1 tea Chia Seed
1.5 TBS Cacao Nib
1 TBS Cacao Powder
1 tea Maca
5 Pitted, Soaked, Dates
1/2 tea Date Water
1 tea Vanilla
1/4 tea cinnamon
1/4 tea salt
Pit your dates and put them in a container with hot water then set aside.
Toast your nuts/nibs/sun seeds: either in the broiler if you’re feeling
brave or in an oven set to 400*. They will toast at different speeds so
keep an eye on them, it will probably be done in this order: Nibs,
Almonds, Seeds. Add chia, powder, flakes, sun seeds, almonds, maca,
protein, cinnamon, salt to the processor and pulse a few times to combine
and break down the nuts a little. Add your dates, date water, vanilla and
let run until it starts to come together then add your nibs and process
until it sticks together when you grab it but breaks when you break it aka
still has substance/chunks. Take a square top or pan about 5×5 and line
with plastic wrap, then dump the mix in, and press hard down evenly and
wrap in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few minutes to let it set
together. Then cut into desired sizes and wrap individually.
PS. If you’re in a hurry you don’t have to toast anything, it just makes
it taste significantly better. Don’t toast the coconut, unless you want
the coconut flavor to become more pronounced. If they don’t stick together
add a few more drops of the date water.
It was such an incredible experience to be surrounded by so many amazing people. Someone quoted “the SF Bay Area has never had so much vegan muscle under one roof!” and I couldn’t agree more.
The weather was incredible the entire day, warm and sunny, we couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather.
There were two sections at the event. The first was the fitness area, and the second was the talk / demo area.
Here is a recap of what happened in the fitness area:
The day started off with an aerobic class with the super energetic Linda (Linda is almost 70 years old and this woman is ROCKING!)
Derek and Marcella from Vegan Muscle & Fitness did a talk and demo on how to improve your posture (one of Derek’s clients actually gained 3inches in height from improving his posture, isn’t that crazy?? and btw what an amazingly good looking couple, wow!)
The super inspiring Robert Cheeke took the stage and shared his journey that brought him to where he is today. He has touched so many lives and people were really moved by his talk
Then it was time to get moving again with Ed Bauer who did a CrossFit demo, (I am SO excited that Ed recently moved to the Bay Area, stay tuned to find out about what he has in store for you!)
Darren then talked about how to get fit outdoors, because lets face it, sometimes it’s nice to get some fresh air while exercising instead of being stuck in a gym.
Then it was time for one of my favorite things, a yoga class with Nicole (in addition to being an RD and yoga teacher she is also a chocolate queen!) I couldn’t partake in it because I was busy running around, but it looked awesome. There is something magical about doing yoga outside in a beautiful setting.
The day ended with a panel discussion on CrossFit with Miyoko (who is a total badass!!), Corey, and Ed. Corey owns a CrossFit gym in Marin, be sure to check it out if it’s something you’d like to get into. As I mentioned earlier, we are so lucky to have Ed now living in the East Bay, get in touch with him if you want to get fit!
Here is a recap of what happened in the talk / food demo area:
Lisa took the stage with a food demo called “What’s for Breakfast?”, she also shared her life changing transformation on how she lost over 100 lbs
Lani then talked about how to get fit in just 5 minutes at a time! Who doesn’t have 5 minutes to spare, seriously? If you don’t have her book already, buy it now!
Christy Morgan aka The Blissful Chef and the mastermind behind Wellness Reboot demo’d how to make the perfect green smoothie, and a mac ‘n kale salad. Christy is offering 50% off her 28-day Wellness Program when you enter code “PPHFEXPO” - I couldn’t recommend this program more, I followed the program and lost 5 lbs and now I have a repertoire of super yummy recipes. Click HERE to get the recipes she demo’d at the event
Then it was time for another food demo with Tess Challis. Tess showed people how to make raw cinnamon rolls and hungarian chickpeas (check out the recipes HERE)
Nichole talked about the Top Foods for Radian Health (being vegan isn’t great just because you’re not eating animals, but it also does wonders to your body!)
Then it was time for our last cooking demo with Holly, she showed how easy it is to make homemade protein bars (please don’t get addicted to Cliff Bars like I did, they are full of sugar!) If you’re ever looking for a caterer, or want to take a cooking class check out her website.
The day ended with a panel discussion on Alternative Health & Healing with Ayurvegan & Dr. Connie Sanchez (I LOVE that we have people like this in the Bay Area!)
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If you took pics at the event please post them HERE.
We would LOVE your feedback, can you please take 2 minutes to complete our survey? Your name will be entered into a drawing to win a prize!
Make sure you sign-up for the newsletter to find out about upcoming events. Another health and fitness related event is in the works for early 2014!
Event tote bags are now available for purchase for only $5 (+ shipping). Email me to place your order.
If you try out one of the recipes please post your photo on our Facebook Page!
(Both recipes are from Radiance 4 Life - Thank you for sharing Tess!)
Raw Cinnamon Rolls
Think of these as a quick, delicious, healthy alternative to packaged energy bars. Since they’re so nutrient-dense, just one little roll can be surprisingly satisfying!
▪1 cup raw walnuts
▪½cup raisins
▪½cup (packed) pitted dates (about 12 dates)
▪2 teaspoons cinnamon
▪¼teaspoon each: sea salt and ground nutmeg
1. Place all of the ingredients in a food processor. Blend until well combined and
very crumbly, but don’t over-blend—ou want to retain some texture.
2. Pull out small pieces of the mixture and roll into 1-inch balls with your hands.
These will store in an airtight container, refrigerated, for several weeks or more.
Makes 18 rolls (9 servings)/GF/SF/Green/R/F/30 Minutes or Under!
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Hungarian Chickpeas
Welcome to my new obsession.
▪ 15 oz. can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
▪ 2 tablespoons pitted and quartered kalamata olives (or other Greek olives)
▪ 2 tablespoons each: raisins, chopped cilantro, and minced yellow or white
onion
▪ 1 tablespoon each: extra-virgin olive oil and raw agave nectar
