Happy Vernal Equinox! Get outside and go for a walk! (gas is too damn expensive to drive.) I really think we could solve our energy crisis if we could somehow harness all the hot air the politicians are producing on the primary trail. I think we could power Vegas for a year. I also think we should attach a windmill to my son, because the captain never stops moving. I haven’t stopped moving this week either, I am too fidgety in preparation for “Hunger Games” and “Mad Men”.
We are down to three days before Katniss enters the arena, and five days before Don Draper has another scotch and water at noon. (Not that I think you have to wait 5 days until you have a liquid lunch; maybe spike your protein shake with rum–or not.) I do, however, suggest you get outside and challenge yourself physically. Perhaps with fewer deadly mutated wasps, trees that spontaneously ignite, and incidences of blood poisoning, but maybe do an obstacle course? Really PLAY with your kids at the playground? (The Miz is known for her playouts.) You can always pretend that you’re running for your life. You could also, later in the night, pretend you’re stuck in a cave with a handsome fella that you’re just FORCED to make out with. (note to self: must find cave and convince the cop it’s a good place to hang out.)
Last week, I wore my HRM to the park while I played with the captain, I burned-NO LIE 602 calories in one hour. THAT’S 3 BEERS!!! 4 COOKIES!!! A GIANT SLICE OF NYC PIZZA!!! It was also more fun than I’d had “working out” in ages. The captain thought I was a rockstar. I knew he was a rockstar.
If you can’t tell, I *really* get into my books/movies/tv. Right now, I am reading Jennifer Estep’s “Elemental Assassin” series. So.much.action. It will get you running so damn fast. It also features a ruggedly handsome, rich, assassin loving businessman who makes Edward Cullen look oh-so-lame. If you loved “Twilight”, and you love “True Blood”, you will love this series.
I can see it becoming as obsessive to me as “Hunger Games”. Especially because the lead (around my age) is southern (shout out to my MawMaw!) and bakes and cooks, and occasionally, slits peoples throats. I may not be an assassin (yet), but I do kill it in the kitchen and the bedroom like mr don draper.
Yesterday, whilst watching every single preview available for the new season of “Mad Men” and “Hunger Games”,and possibly crying with joy and wetting myself in anticipation I was struck by how much sugar they eat on “Mad Men”, and in the Capitol! Katniss describes the tables and tables of petit fours and chocolates, cakes and pies, sweets and savories. There was so much that she couldn’t eat it all.
If we ate it all, we’d be huge. We’d also be nutrient deficient. This is why I came up with a healthy alternative that tastes of the decadence of a meeting with Sterling or a party in the Captiol. Inspired by my beloved peanut butter Twix bar, (introduced in the UK in 1967) I made these bars with a ton of antioxidant rich foods, protein, and fiber. They’re a sweet, light, granola bar base, topped with creamy peanut butter, and topped with rich, dark chocolate. I may have had these for breakfast.
Healthy Peanut Butter Twix Bars with Chia.
Healthy Peanut Butter “Twix” bar
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Keywords: breakfast side snack dessert gluten-free cookie
Ingredients (30 bars)
- 3 cups quick oats (or gluten free rolled oats pulsed in the food pro)
- 1/2 cup egg whites
- 3/4 cup vanilla non-dairy milk (i use coconut)
- 3 tbsp chia
- 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 very ripe banana
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup dark chocolate chunks/chips
Instructions
preheat oven to 350F
combine milk and chia-set aside for 10 minutes
mash the banana
combine chia milk mix, quick oats, whites, crunchy pb, honey, vanilla, and mashed banana.
mix until well combined
spread into a greased 9″-13″ pan
bake for approximately 25 minutes or until edges are a golden brown
let cool
spread creamy peanut butter evenly over top
freeze
melt chocolate in the microwave and spread over top of peanut butter
chill and cut.
Do you have your tickets for the “Hunger Games” yet?
Favorite candy bar?
How awesome will this weekend be?!?! Hunger Games & Mad Men. Can’t wait.
it’s beyond. beyond.
Oh my god what an amazing recipe.
I don’t have my tickets yet, I think I’m going to wait until the next weekend so it’s not as crowded…unless I can’t bear it
there was NO way I could wait. I am far too impatient.
i love twix. these look fan flippin tastic
thanks!
Oh yes. I love Twix. Can’t remember the last time I had one!
you can fix that problem!
My friend is buying our tickets tonight! I can’t wait!!
And these look AWESOME. My fave chocolate bar is either a Twix or a Crunch. Haven’t had either in such a long time … drooling …
make these!!
This looks incredible! My fiance is obsessed with PB Twix, he’s gonna be so happy. Or so mad at me for trying to healthify them. But not mad for long, because they’re gonna be delicious!
Does the chia serve a textural purpose, or is it just to up the nutrition? I don’t have any, so I’m trying to figure out how important it is.
it serves a binding purpose. They get jello-ish when mixed with the milk. DEFINITELY necessary.
Not only do these look so good, but you didn’t use a million random ingredients so I actually CAN make these.
Thank you on so many levels.
less is totally best!
So will this recipe work with Sunbutter, I wonder? I am sadly lacking in the peanut butter department since my son’s severe reaction to it last fall. All your recent recipes have been torturing me!! I do miss it, but of course my son is way more important than peanut butter!!
it can’t hurt but to try. don’t overlook hempseed butter either! If you are using one of those, I may blend in some coconut or soy oil to try to stabilize it, or blend in a smidge of butter and powdered sugar.
These look amazing. Definitely want to try the recipe.
thanks!!!
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Quick question: Instead of Chia, which I have never heard of, would flax seed work?
you’d have to back down on the other wet ingredients. chia (widely available at health foods stores) is like a sponge.
How would you make it vegan??
Increase the milk by 1/4 cup and add 1 more tbsp chia seeds. Let the milk sit with the chia for 10 minutes. Use maple syrup instead of honey.