Ultra Energy Bars - The Plantpower Way

Ultra Energy Bars - power packed with healthy ingredients like nuts, seeds, coconut, and dried berries, these bars boast a plentitude of protein and nutrient rich flavor!

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One of the great inspirational books I have read is Finding Ultra, the incredible story of Rich Roll's journey in Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Fittest Men, and Discovering Himself. He is a vegan ultra endurance athlete, has completed Hawaii's Epic 5 Challenge, hosts a popular podcast, and is an engaging motivational speaker.

Rich Roll has truly been transformed by plants.

Needless to say, I was very happy to receive an advance proof The Plantpower Way, the latest book from Rich Roll and his wife, plant based chef Julie Piatt. I have spent the last month enjoying their recipes, while soaking up all the wellness facts and tips from this wonderful lifestyle guide.

This book - packed with essential nutritional information and stunning full color photographs - is a remarkable piece of art that would do well on any coffee table.

From the foreword by Sanjay Gupta, M.D.:  "...this is not your typical recipe book. It is a book about hope, and the universally shared belief that any one of us can be better."

The book has 120 whole food, plant based recipes, and we have already tried quite a few. Tried, and thoroughly enjoyed. From the Cacao Mint Avocado Tart and the Easy Crunchy Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies, to the Superfood Pad Thai and the Parisian Asparagus Salad, these are all recipes I will make again.

The island girl in me also loves their Hula Kale Salad - an abundant dish created as a result of Julie serving as the head chef of a yoga retreat on the beautiful island of Kauai. Very quick to come together, complete with edible flowers if you can source them. Just beautiful!

The recipe I am sharing today is a tasty energy bar - something that is an every day essential in our house. We always have at least two kinds of bar or ball to snack on before workouts or as that mid afternoon fuel. These Ultra Energy Bars definitely fill that need - tasty, nutritious, satisfying, and easy to prepare!

what Julie says about these bars:

Rich isn’t the only one who loves the supercharged vitality he experiences from eating these nutritious homemade bars – our kids devour them as a healthy alternative to processed store bought varieties.

Power packed with healthy ingredients like nuts, seeds, coconut and dried berries that boast a plentitude of protein, healthy fats and fiber, these energy boosters will keep your engine revving all day long. Great for packing in your child’s lunchbox!

Eat one of these bars and then, as Rich says, get it done.

Ultra Energy Bars

dairy, egg, soy and gluten free, vegan

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup raw almonds or walnuts, soaked overnight
¼ cup cacao nibs
¼ cup hemp seeds
¼ cup dried goji berries
2 tablespoon cacao powder
¼ cup coconut, shredded
pinch large coarse Celtic sea salt
7-8 dates, soaked and pitted

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a food processor, pulse nuts until mealy in texture.

Now add the cacao nibs, hemp seeds, goji berries, cacao powder, shredded coconut and sea salt to the processor. Pulse again until ingredients are well-incorporated.

With the motor running, add one date at a time. After seven dates, you will see the mixture ball-up on one side of the bowl. You may need to redistribute the mixture and process it again to make sure the dates are mixed in.

On a piece of parchment paper, press the mixture in an even layer about ¼” thick.

With a knife, score out a grid of rectangular shaped pieces approximately 2” x 3”. If desired, press additional hemp seeds or shredded coconut on the surface.

Wrap in parchment paper or parchment bags. Take them out on a trail run, hike or bike ride to sustain you throughout your training session!

 

We loved these as bars, and I made a second batch into bite size balls: 

 

 

Reprinted from The Plantpower Way by arrangement with Avery Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © 2015, Rich Roll & Julie Piatt