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Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free

Day 5: PBC Bars

January 5, 2012 By Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free

Welcome to day five of the Sugar Free Challenge!

My favorite food combination is Peanut Butter, Banana, and Chocolate. You can find many, many recipes with this combo in my recipe page. However, it is rather long to say, “Peanut Butter, Banana, and Chocolate (name food),” so I shortened it to simply, PBC.

Today’s sample menu will focus on my favorite flavors, and give you my new favorite recipe at the end! (Please note that I don’t suggest eating PBC all day long for all your meals. Although it is tasty, it is better to balance your menu with food other that PBC! Here are some ideas to eat on different days).

 

Breakfast: High Protein Cookie Crisp Cereal topped with sliced bananas.

 

Lunch: Open-Faced Chocolate Pancakes with Bananas and PB

 

Snack: If Elvis Liked Chocolate Bites

Dinner: Chocolate Banana Cream Pie with Peanut Crust –ok, fine. This really doesn’t qualify as a “dinner,” but in it’s defense, it is made with only whole food ingredients! 

Dessert: PBC Bars

Print
PBC Bars

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

PBC Bars

~These Peanut Butter, Banana, Chocolate Bars are gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, vegan, soy-free, and sugar-free!

Ingredients

  • 4 large, ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 6 Tablespoons ground flax
  • 3 Tablespoons chia gel (mix 1 teaspoon chia with 3 tablespoons water and let sit for 15 minutes so it can “puff up”)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/3 cup peanuts
  • 3 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350*.
  2. Mix all ingredients together until well-combined.
  3. Lightly grease a 8×8 inch baking dish. Pour batter into dish and bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  4. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving (because the bars contain no flour, this rest time is essential for proper setting).
3.1
https://www.spoonfulofsugarfree.com/2012/01/05/day-5-pbc-bars/

 

These are incredibly easy to make. Simply mix the ingredients and bake. I have made them probably 5 times already since I created the recipe-they are that addicting! They make a great snack, breakfast on-the-go, or dessert. They are made with only whole ingredients, so they’re healthy for anytime of day!

 

Health Benefits:

  • Chocolate: Click HERE for a post I did about all the benefits of chocolate.
  • Peanuts: These legumes are full of protein with 7g per ounce. They also have a great monounsaturated fat content that helps your heart and brain. Peanut is a good source of Coenzyme Q10 which protects the heart during the period of lack of oxygen example high altitudes and clogged arteries. It also has a high antioxidant and high niacin content that helps in the recovery of cell damage and provides protection against Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive problem.
  • Bananas: Rich in potassium, bananas help the body’s circulatory system deliver oxygen to the brain. This also helps maintain a regular heartbeat and a proper balance of water in the body. It also contains tryptophan to help relax you and lift your spirits!

 

*This recipe is linked to Wellness Weekend February 9-13.

Exercise Option: For those of you who chose to take part of the exercise challenge, your challenge today is to do 10 crunches, 5 squats, 5 pushups, 10 calf raises. 

THOUGHT-PROVOKING, MIND-PRODDING QUESTION OF THE DAY:

Do you enjoy PBC combo as much as me? If not, what is your favorite food combo?

Remember that you can track what you eat on the printable Challenge Checklist. 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: banana, chocolate, Gluten-free, healthy, Peanut Butter, recipe, sugar-free

Day 4: A Day of Oatmeal

January 4, 2012 By Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free

Welcome to day four of the Sugar Free Challenge!

Did you know January is National Oatmeal Month? In order to celebrate, today’s sample menu will be full of….you guessed it….OATMEAL!

Breakfast: Start of the day with a refreshing bowl of Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal.

Lunch: Pack yourself a few Oat Cakes, endless flavor combinations.

Snack: Need some munchies? Grab a handful of Pumpkin Spice Latte Granola.

Dinner: Baked Banana Oatmeal, topped with more fruit.

Dessert: Peach Crisp for One, which is topped with oats and takes mere minutes to prepare.

Why should we enjoy oats? Not only are they tasty and versatile, but full of health benefits:

  • Lowers cholesterol
  • Burns fat
  • Reduces risk of Type 2 diabetes
  • Regulate bowel movements
  • Reduce blood pressure
  • Reduce risks of cancer because of Oat’s phytochemicals
  • Reduces risk of heart disease

Oats are surprisingly cheap, too. I buy my rolled oats in bulk, and 1 serving costs me approximately 17 cents. And how much does the college staple, Ramen noodles cost? 17 cents. So let’s see, would I rather eat a nutritious bowl of oatmeal, or a processed bowl of Ramen? I think I’ll stick with Oats.

Exercise Option: For those of you who chose to take part of the exercise challenge, your challenge today is to do 10 crunches, 5 squats, 5 pushups, 10 calf raises. 

THOUGHT-PROVOKING, MIND-PRODDING QUESTION OF THE DAY: 

What are your favorite ways to prepare and eat oats? Feel free to include links and recipes in your comments below!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: bake, breakfast, Gluten-free, healthy, nutrition, Oatmeal, recipes, sugar-free

Day 3: Exercise Challenge

January 3, 2012 By Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free

Welcome to day three of the Sugar Free Challenge!

Here is today’s sample menu:

Breakfast: Grain-Free Pumpkin Pancakes. Vegan Option: Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

Lunch: Salad with Dijon Dressing 

Dinner: Pesto Socca Pizza with Grilled Veggies

Dessert: Fluffy Banana Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Exercise Option: For those of you who chose to take part of the exercise challenge, your challenge today is to do 10 crunches, 5 squats, 5 pushups, 10 calf raises. 

Here are some helpful links for those who need assistance on how-to perform these exercises:

  • Crunches
  • Squat
  • Pushup
  • Calf Raises

This option is for those who do not exercise regularly and would like to jump start their new year with an easy exercise routine. Each round of exercises take just a few minutes to complete. It would also be wise to add a bit of cardio to your day like walking, jogging, bike riding, or jump roping. When you get up in the morning, during lunch breaks, or before bed would be an excellent time to complete this routine.

THOUGHT-PROVOKING, MIND-PRODDING QUESTION OF THE DAY: 

Have you changed your exercise routine for the new year? What are your favorite exercises?

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: exercises, healthy, nutrition, recipes, sugar-free, sugar-free challenge, vegan

Day 2: Sugar is Addicting

January 2, 2012 By Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free

Welcome to day two of the Sugar Free Challenge!

Today’s Reason to be Sugar-Free: 

Some evidence from animal studies suggests that sugar can be addictive. A Princeton University research team has shown that lab rats accustomed to sugar display the cravings and the relapses that signal addiction, as well as brain changes similar to those associated with addiction to narcotics and nicotine. For example, the investigators found that the brain chemical dopamine is released when hungry rats drink sugared water and that a surge of dopamine occurs in the brains of hungry rats that binge on sugar. Over time, these increased dopamine levels resulted in fewer of a certain type of dopamine receptor and more opioid receptors in the animals’ brains. The same studies showed that rats deprived of sugar exhibited anxiety characteristic of withdrawal.  ~Dr. Andrew Weil

Here is today’s sample menu:

Breakfast: Bitter Chocolate Waffles with Sliced bananas and peanut butter whip.

Lunch: Socca with a spinach salad topped with fresh bruschetta. Served with a hard-boiled egg.

Snack: Apple Crisps with Peanut Butter Hummus Dip

Dinner: Brown Rice Stir Fry with carrots, onions, leftover chicken, bell pepper, ginger, soy sauce, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

 

Dessert: Fresh Fig and Plum Crisp

Exercise Option: For those of you who chose to take part of the exercise challenge, your challenge today is to do 10 crunches, 5 squats, 5 pushups, 10 calf raises. 

THOUGHT-PROVOKING, MIND-PRODDING QUESTION OF THE DAY: 

How was your second day of sugar-free? Did you create menus for yourself or just go with the flow?

Remember that you can track what you eat on the printable Challenge Checklist. 

Filed Under: Dessert, Diet, Food, Health, Nutrition, raw, Recipes, Snacks, sugar-free

Day 1: New Year’s Resolution

January 1, 2012 By Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free

Happy New Year Everyone! Happy 2012!!

Today is officially the first day of the New Year’s Sugar Free Challenge.

I am so glad that many wonderful people signed up! Just check out this list:

  • Adrianna
  • AGirl
  • Alice Field
  • Amanda
  • Ann @ Anna’s Healthy Adventures in Health
  • Anne
  • Anne
  • Anya
  • Audra
  • Barbara Meier-Conte
  • Becky @ Becky’s Kaleidoscope
  • Beth
  • Caroline
  • Casey
  • Cecile
  • Chloe
  • Christine
  • Courtney
  • Dani @ Chocolate Covered Sneakers
  • Diana S.
  • Donna
  • EC
  • Fourdreams
  • Frannie @ Fran and Sarah
  • Helen Chandler @ One Here One There
  • Hope
  • Iris
  • JC
  • Jamie
  • Jane
  • Jen @ Runner’s Shoe
  • Jen Madsen
  • Jenn
  • Jenn
  • Jennifer Yount
  • Juganaut’s
  • Juliana
  • KEP @ Fullspot
  • Kate
  • Katie
  • Katie @ Nutrition in a Peanut Shell
  • Kayla @ Inner Yogi
  • Kelly
  • Kris
  • Kristi
  • Kristie
  • Leah
  • Lee
  • Leigh Maijala @ Kayle Leigh Maijala
  • Linda
  • Linda
  • Lisa
  • Lou @ Fridge Scrapings
  • Marcia
  • Maria
  • Megan
  • Michelle M.
  • Mindak3 @Aware Thought
  • Momma Kiki
  • Moonbutt
  • Natalie Kresge
  • Nicole
  • Olivia Nunez @ BelFasteNew
  • Peanut Butter Lover
  • Peta
  • Reid @ Reider Vegan
  • Rend Shakir @RedsWorld
  • Roni
  • Sarah Bennett
  • Shannon
  • Shannon
  • Shannon
  • Shannon Barrett
  • Suman
  • Suzanne H
  • Suzy
  • SweetJacki @ Soulfully Raw
  • Tara
  • Taryn
  • TeaBagginIt
  • Trisha
  • Tri Life
  • Val @ Making it Sparkle
  • Vanessa G
  • Vanity
  • Wendy
  • Yvette

Thank you all for signing up! Actually, your body will thank you for taking the challenge! I am actually very surprised by the number of people who signed up. I didn’t think as many would sign up because of the longer challenge, but I’m glad you all did!

Here is a sample menu for today:

Breakfast: Ultimate Vegetarian Omelette. Vegan Option: Breakfast Oat Cakes.

Lunch: Heart-Stopping Chicken Salad Vegan Option: Substitute Chickpeas for the meat.

Dinner: Slow Cooker Chicken with Artichoke and Olives. Vegan Option: Spring Rolls

Dessert: Chocolate Banana Cream Pie with Peanut Butter Crust to bring in the New Year!!!

Exercise Option: For those of you who chose to take part of the exercise challenge, your challenge today is to do 10 crunches, 5 squats, 5 pushups, 10 calf raises. 

Thought-provoking, mind-prodding question of the day:

What’s in your plan for New Year’s Day? Are you as excited as I am for the Challenge?!

Remember that you can track what you eat on the printable Challenge Checklist. 

Filed Under: Breakfast, Diet, Food, Health, Nutrition, Snacks, sugar-free

New Year’s Eve Reminder

December 31, 2011 By Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free

Happy New Year’s Eve Everyone! 

I hope you all have a fabulous day, full of good food and fun with friends and family. Maybe your day will include some of these?

~Roasted Chili Lime Nuts are sure to start your New Year’s with a BANG!

Just a quick reminder to let you all know that the New Year’s Resolution Challenge starts tomorrow, so please sign up if you haven’t already. It will be great fun, and you will have a support group of others to help you along. Here are some of the comments others left after finishing the last challenge:

  • “I thought the challenge was extremely easy. Your recipes, ideas and encouragement made it very easy to complete.”
  • “I seem to be less hungry between meals not eating anything sweet.”
  • “So much energy, and my skin completely cleared up. I felt that my hunger was more reflective of what my body truly needed and not just what it wanted.”
  • “Since I cut down on processed sugar I have noticed an increase in my complexion, energy level and overall mood, I feel happier and healthier.”

Common reports from the last challenge was definitely increase in energy, less mood swings, an being more calm. Some reported clearer skin and slight weight loss, too!

You can join the challenge HERE. 

THOUGHT-PROVOKING, MIND-PRODDING QUESTION OF THE DAY:

Do you have any New Year’s traditions? What do you have planned for the day?

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: clearer skin, energy level, happy new year

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