Journey for a Better World!

On Tuesday I received an email from Nike.  As you can imagine, I was not that excited, as I assumed the email had probably been sent to hundreds of other vegan/vegetarian SF caterers…

I responded with “Thanks for contacting me.  I’m interested” not expecting a reply… 

I got a response within minutes saying “Great, Claudine.  When can I call you to discuss details”

Now I’m excited, “Tomorrow between 9-12 I can chat. Thanks.”

Believe it or not, Jason is a vegan!  To the matcho meat eating men out there 🙂 Jason proves that you DO NOT have to eat animals to reach your full athletic potential! (for a list of vegetarian proteins click here)

So, I’m a little hesitant to share the recipes because they turned out so darn good I’m thinking I should package/sell them…

But, as my contribution to making this world a better place, through sport and food, I believe everyone should have a healthy energy bar recipe on hand 🙂

I made two bars for the Nike event and each only have 4-5 ingredients!

This is a take on a Peanut Butter and Jelly sando

 Take on an Oatmeal Raisin cookie

The picture does not do these justice… These are pure heaven, I’m telling you!  Imagine all the greatness that comes with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, then add crispy, crunchy, deliciousness to it, and what you’re left with are these amazing energy bars!

You could make these healthier by substituting almond butter for peanut butter or adding chia seeds (dang, I should have done that!)

These are also a full protein because when you combine a grain (quinoa and rice) with a legume (peanuts) you get a complete protein (all 9 essential amino asids)

Ingredients:

2 Cups Peanut Butter

1 1/2 Cups Brown Rice Syrup

1 t vanilla extract

6 cups Quinoa Crisps

2 Cups Brown Rice Cereal Crisps

2 Cups Jelly (flava of choice!)

about 2 cups chopped Peanuts

Warm the first 2 ingredients in a sauce pan.

Add the vanilla

In a large bowl add the quiona and rice crisps

Pour the warm PB and Rice Syrup mixture over the dry contents and mix well.

Get ready to get diiiirty 🙂

Now that you have mixed the gooeyness with the crispyness, line a sheet pan with parchment paper 

Firmly pree the mixture down into the pan.

I used the back of a spatula

Spread the Jelly over evenly 

Sprinkle with Chopped nuts

Press down well again to be sure the nuts adhire to the jelly

Let rest in the fridge over night

(I was praying that they settled and firmed up- and they did!)

Cut into square… I had to make a couple hundred so I cut them into bit size pieces… 

Oatmeal Raisin Energy Bar Recipe:

These taste JUST like an oatmeal raisin cookie… my favorite by the way if you ever want to make me cookies 🙂 … only they’re healthier because I don’t use eggs, suga’ or flour – making these vegan, gluten free and diabetes friendly because there wont be a spike in your blood sugar… whoop whoop loooooove using fruit as a sweetener!

Ingredietns:

2 Cups Golden Raisins

2 Cups Walnuts

2 Cups Raisins

4 Cups Oats

4 Cups of Oats (yes 8 total)

1/2 cup Brown Rice Syrup

2 t vanilla extract

Spices to taste like cinnamon, cloves, allspice 

In the Cuisinart combine the first 2 ingredients until well combined

Add the red raisins and 4 cups of oats and set aside

Meanwhile, warm the Syrup in a sauce pan and add the vanilla extract

In a large bowl combine it all and get ready to get dirty, get in there and MIX everything really well with your hands!

Line a sheet try with parchment paper

Press your mixture down into the pan very well and firmly 

Let harden in the fridge over night