Gobble Gobble Protein Bar

So I'm all about getting good quality food and also having a life. So for me if I can chuck it in my bag and go its fantastic. So no suprise I discovered protein bars pretty early in in life.The problem is with protein bars is they are often filled with all sorts of cheap crap protein and presertitaves and all that nasty stuff. Not to mention they can be pretty expensive.So I started experimenting with making my own. And I've got to say so far I'm pretty impressed. I normally do something a little different each week. I make enough to have one a day at work and a couple of extra for the weekend and in case I run short of time to mix up a new batch. The one I made tonight I think is going to be the best to date.

All you need is: 
5 Tablespoons of Cocoa Powder 1
1.5 Cups of coconut 
6 Scoops of Protein Powder 
2 teaspoons of Xylitol 
Whatever extras you want, this week I used; 
Goji Berries Cacao Nibs A handful of Organic raisins 
Mix this together in a big bowel Mean while in a pot melt; 
2 Tablespoons of Natural Peanut butter 
4 Tablespoons of Cream or Cream Cheese ( I forgot to buy cream so busted out the cream cheese tonight and it worked great) 
40g of Butter
40g Coconut oil

Pour this into the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly with your hands (cause it makes it easier to mix)Press firmly the mixture into a lined square tin, make sure you really push it in and try to get it as flat as possible.refrigerate for 20 or so Minutes. I like to cut them into 8 bars and then melt 85% dark chocolate pour a little flaxseed and coconut oil into the melted chocolate and pour it over the bars. This helps keep them together and adds that yummy chocolaty goodness. I then wrap them up and keep them in the fridge. The protein powder I use is the Optimum Nutrition 100% whey, The only reason I use that one is because It was cheap when I lived in Dubai and a good quality. Now I'm back in NZ when my supply runs out I will get something else. I don't normally advocate the use of artificial sweeteners either, or sugar at all. Ideally I would leave the xylitol out, but I do find I crave that sweetness, and sometimes its about finding the lesser of two evils. I hope you like my recipe, its great for all those gym junkies out there who want to eat clean and also avoid a lot of the yucky things found in commercial products.

Aroha
D