100% plant power!
I absolutely love weight lifting.
Lifting heavy weights is not something I ever thought would interest me when I was younger, when my active trim self never had to pass a moment’s thought about the food I put into my mouth. I stayed slim naturally.
Age, growing three babies, laziness and a few too many tubs of Ben & Jerry’s and glasses of red wine have taken their toll and these days I have to work at maintaining a healthy body weight, and I have to work hard.
Image credit: Shutterstock
I took up weight lifting several years ago at our local leisure centre after a surprise shock when I stood on a set of scales for the first time in many years. I hadn’t realised how much post baby weight I hadn’t lost! I signed up for the gym induction course, learned how to use all the machines, and I absolutely loved every minute of it. I started lifting low and the sense of satisfaction as I moved that pin up to higher and higher weights was fantastic.
The endorphin high I got was addictive, and if I ever got a bit grumpy my husband would tentatively ask, “do you need to go to the gym?” Nothing sorted my foul moods out better than banging on the treadmill for a few miles and then lifting weights. It is impossible to remain grumpy during an endorphin high, I think!
Alas, two and a half years after I started at the gym I gave up my membership after a severe foot crush injury left me unable to run again, and I couldn’t justify just lifting the weights without my favourite cardio to assist.
Eighteen months later two stone (30 pounds) somehow piled on.
Image credit: Beachbody.com
It’s taken plenty of trial and error, but I’ve finally found an exercise program involving both weights and cardio which is working for me; something I can do in my own home saving me hundreds of pounds in gym fees. There’s no running involved.
I’ve shed 8 lbs in the first four weeks of the P90X extreme home fitness program, lost three inches around my waist and small losses around my hips, bust, thighs and arms. I feel physically stronger than I have done in a very long time and I can see a difference in the fullness of my face. As I type my abs are still tender from yesterday’s session in front of the television in my living room, but it’s a good pain – it’s the pain of hard work and achievement.
Week five started yesterday, and I am keeping a fitness diary to chart my progress. I might share it with you… if you want me to?
I absolutely hate this work out… but I love it at the same time and I keep going back for more. What’s uncomfortable now will become comfortable later, I read recently. It’s hard, but I’m sticking with it and I am noticing the difference.
Part of the program I am on includes the Fat Shredder nutrition plan, a high protein low carb diet with a little fruit plenty of vegetables. They recommend consuming their own brand recovery drink and protein bar after each work out session but I can’t get these where I live (and probably wouldn’t anyway since they are so expensive!) so I sought to create my own home made plant powered version.
This is what I came up with, using the Sukrin peanut flour I’d been sent to play with some months ago, and inspired by this recipe.
Peanut flour is a new ingredient in my kitchen. Naturally gluten free it’s high in protein and low in carbohydrates, making it an ideal component of a high protein low carb diet, or even those 5:2 diets which are all the rage just now. Containing 1/4 of the calories of regular flour it’s a great gluten free alternative.
Sukrin do a whole range of gluten and sugar replacement products. The parcel I was sent for review contained two of their sugar alternatives – Sukrin Gold, a granulated brown sugar alternative, and Sukrin icing, a carb and calorie free alternative to icing sugar. It also contained sesame flour which I intend on getting creative with once the light returns after this long dark winter and I can take half decent photographs!
The parcel also contained a Sukrin Bread Mix. Now, I’m not usually keen on bread mixes, but this sunflower and pumpkin seed bread sounded intriguing with its 1 carb per slice claim. It’s a just add water mix and the baking tray is included. The results: I was impressed! It doesn’t have the texture of ordinary bread, but its dense, flavoursome crumb makes for excellent toasting. At one carb per slice (a reasonable sized slice too) it’s well worth trying!
I wasn’t keen on the carb free sugars, to be honest. They left a really unpleasant aftertaste and tasted very artificial despite being all natural.
The peanut flour, however, I love, and these chocolate covered peanut protein bars are absolutely delicious. Think reeses peanut butter cups with a healthy twist. Vegan, gluten free (providing you use gluten free oats – I do realise this is a grey area – feel free to sub with protein packed quinoa flakes) and refined sugar free these bars are incredibly filling and keep me going after my workouts until my next meal, and they satisfy that need for sweet chocolate.
I ground my almonds in my high powered Froothie Optimum 9400 blender (affiliate link). I did attempt to make the entire recipe in the blender, but it tripped the very handy overload switch so I had to move the ingredients to the food processor to finish.
Calories per bar: 266 (with topping) 195 (without) Protein per bar: 11 grams
Chocolate Covered Peanut Protein Bars {vegan}
Ingredients
For the peanut base
- 150 grams raw almonds
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 175 grams rolled oats (or quinoa flakes)
- 140 grams peanut flour
- 85 ml maple syrup or a carob/maple blend
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Chocolate Coating
- 85 ml coconut oil melted
- 4 tbsp cocoa powder
- 30 ml maple syrup or a carob/maple blend
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 5 grams raw almonds chopped, to decorate (optional)
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8 inch square baking tray with grease proof paper, or use a silicone tray (I use silicone as it is non stick)
- Place almonds and sea salt in a high powered blender and blend until they start to form almond butter. You might need to add a tablespoon or two of water to help this along, depending on how dry your nuts are.
- Scrape the almond butter into a food processor and add the rolled oats, peanut flour, maple syrup and cinnamon and process until everything is well combined and sticks together in a ball.
- Press into the base of your prepared baking tray and pop into the fridge while you prepare the topping.
- To make the topping, melt the coconut oil and mix with the cocoa powder, maple syrup and vanilla.
- Spread evenly over the peanut base, sprinkle with chopped almonds and pop the whole thing back in the fridge for a half an hour or so to chill.
- Cut into 12 even sized bars and store in an airtight container in the fridge. These will keep for at least a week in the fridge.
You might also like the recipe for my Banana Nut Protein Smoothie!
Linking up with Treat Petite co-hosted by Stuart over at Cakeyboi and Kat The Baking Explorer. This month the theme is all about healthy treats.
I’m also linking up with a new blogging linky: Weight Loss Wednesday by Beth at Musing Housewife and Sim at Sim’s Life.
If you want to be kept up to date on my recipes, occasional craft tutorials, adventure stories and giveaways then please subscribe to my weekly newsletter; it gets sent out every Monday morning if there is new content. Your email address won’t be passed on to anyone, you will never be spammed and you are free to unsubscribe at any time, no questions asked. Make sure you confirm your subscription or you won’t receive the newsletter – if it hasn’t arrived check your junk mail folder.
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Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary was sent a selection of Sukrin products to review. This is not a paid post and all opinions expressed are our own. This post does, however, contain an affiliate link, meaning if you purchase a blender through it I will earn a small commission.
Mum of three, daydream adventurer, OU Life Sciences graduate, occasional crafter, ex-pat Canadian & quite possibly Britain's most northerly food blogger.
Alex says
Hi Elizabeth,
These look delicious! Perfect little snack or treat. My two favourite things: chocolate and peanut butter yum!
Hazel Rea says
What a great recipe. I can adapt it to glutenfree then all the family could eat them.
Paul Wilson says
Very nice.
Sarah Cooper says
This looks fantastic!
Sara JaneG says
Fab vegan recipe. love it
Jayne T says
I’m always on the look out for good vegan recipes, thanks for these they look so yummy x
Heather Haigh says
Oh these look fab! I can make them GF and they’re vegan – perfect! Will be having a go at these soon.
Emily @amummytoo says
They look great. I’m planning a fitness regime at the moment so bookmarking these to try.
Stuart Vettese says
Never mind that these are healthy – they sound very delicious too! Thanks for taking part in Treat Petite.
Hayley Mulgrove says
Oh wow these look yummy, i must have some of these, lol
sarah brooker says
dark choc, peanuts & almonds good healthy & tasty choice.
Johanna GGG says
love these bars and am impressed by your gym workouts I commented a few days back but think it was swallowed by spam folder so just testing that they have fixed it
Beth - The Musing Housewife says
Oh wow, these look gorgeous! Well done on all your hard work though! I haven’t got the energy or wherewithal to do anything like what you are doing.
Thank you for linking up with #WeightLossWednesday. Hope to see you again this week!
Paul Wilson says
Have to have a go at some of these.
Laura@howtocookgoodfood says
Wow these look amazing, I adore anything including peanuts and chocolate and I imagine you will be making these a lot more!
Gerri Tennant says
Love the bars they combine evrything that I love but you actually make them sound good for you so that means I am allowed them if I am eating healthily!! Thanks.
Jackie Chapman says
Oh wow they look amazing!
Fiver Feeds says
Vegan version of peanut bars…yeah why not give it a try! 😉
Danielle.a says
Wow. They look so yummy
International Elf Service says
This is such a good post thank you! We’re plagued with a couple of food intolerances in our family, so this is perfect! Very well done to you too x
Vivien Baird says
Going to make the Chocolate Covered Peanut Protein Bars later, they sound delicious
Elizabeth says
I hope you enjoy them! 🙂
Jennie says
These look amazing! Will have to give this recipe a go – as a vegetarian I’m always looking for more way to get protein into my diet
Elizabeth says
Thanks Jennie 🙂 Part of the exercise program I am on is to increase my intake of daily protein. It’s nice to not have to rely on animal sources for it!
Paul Wilson says
Looks amazingly tasty.
Elizabeth says
Thanks Paul 😀
kayleigh white says
Oh my word!! These look scrummy!
Elizabeth says
Thanks Kayleigh – they were rather tasty! 🙂
Lesley Walsh says
These look scrummy! I’ve just bought some weights from Aldi (Specials last week). Now just have to make myself use them!!
Elizabeth says
Woohoo – good on you! 🙂 I hope you enjoy using them.
Tracey Peach says
Yum These look Scrummy, shame I’m allergic to nuts
Elizabeth says
Aw, I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t eat nuts… especially when trying to eat loads of protein..
Alison says
Loving those peanut bars, totally ideal. I need to lose some weight as well and have dragged out the thirty day shred and a couple of other dvds that use weights. Hopefully I will see some benefit soon
Elizabeth says
Best of luck – it’s not an easy process! Why oh why is it so easy to put on, but a struggle to shift!
Judith (Mostly About Chocolate Blog) says
This is brilliant! According to the Spice Agent (Bitchin’ Kitchen) fenugreek can also enhance the flavour of maple as on its own it is a touch weak – especially against chocolate or peanut 😉
Elizabeth says
Oh that sounds rather lovely… I am quite partial to the flavour of fenugreek. Must experiment more!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I make something very similar, I call them my healthy chocolate bars. They always go down well in our house.
Elizabeth says
Oooh I’d love to see the recipe!
Ian says
the Peanut Protein Bars sound lush, might have to give them a try with one exception, the peanut flour (allergies), maybe ground almonds and proyein powder woulkd work as an alternative?
Elizabeth says
Have a look at the original recipe – it uses vegan protein powder instead. I love peanuts, so I used that instead.
chantelle hazelden says
these look and sound amazing!! well done your weightless, I tried p90x previously and found it very hard so good on you keeping it up. x
Elizabeth says
It is really hard going, but I’m quite a stubborn person! Thank you for your kind words
Michelle @ Greedy Gourmet says
I’m so glad to find out that another woman I actually know does weight lifting too. So tiring to hear from people that women will look like big, hairy apes if they do weights. NOT! These peanut and chocolate treats look lush!
Elizabeth says
Yay! Girl power 😀 There’s such great satisfaction with lifting. I never would have thought so, in my younger days… but I’m older and wiser now. 😉
lisa prince says
oh wow these sond delightful, definitely something i would try i love choc and love peanut butter, may have to add these to my new eating treat
Elizabeth says
Thanks Lisa, they were rather good – I fairly enjoyed eating one after my workouts. They make great lunches too! Very filling 🙂
Emma says
Oh my goodness, I actually adore this blog post! It literally has so much information I was looking for. I am trying to get HEALTHY this year, so that includes exercise of cardio and weights and a diet change. I am forwarding this to my boyfriend as I type ( he can benefit too!) Thanks x
Elizabeth says
Aw thank you for your kind words! Good luck with your fitness regime this year – you can do it!