Cooler 1 Protein Bars

Good Morning, Bloggers!

Did anyone watch American Idol last night? Why did they do an elimination last night and then another one tonight. I am slightly confused... are the contestants performing again tonight. Aaahhh... the drama. And why did Tatiana Del Toro get moved to the next round? I really dislike the drama that she brings to the show. Also, I was very surprised to see that Leneshe was kicked off. I actually liked her. And the show goes on... oh well.

Tomorrow I will be at Methodist Hospital all day. My mom's surgery is at 7:40 AM. She should be released on Saturday and I will spend next week working from my parent's house helping to take care of her while dad is at work. I love my mom so much, she is my very best friend. She is sweet, loving and understanding - she gets me like no one else (other than my husband). Please say a prayer for her today and tomorrow morning. 

There is an overstated note of apprehension and stress associated with her surgery because my uncle passed away in December after he developed an infection post-surgery. Also, when mom had her lower back surgery 9 years ago she had a tear in her spinal cord and the surgeon had to place her nerves back into the cord and fix the tear. I know that she will be fine - some surgeons do this surgery outpatient! :)

This week on the forum, there are many women doing a Cooler 1 Challenge - I was thinking about joining, but did not because we were out of town last weekend and was not able to get to the grocery store, also with mom's surgery this week I will be away from a fridge for long periods of time. However, Tacey, one of the members of the forum posted a very delicious recipe for a Cooler 1 version of the Nutty Maple Cinnamon Protein bars that I love so much. I made a couple modifications to the recipe and made 3 Chocolate Cooler 1 Protein bars and 3 Cinnamon Cranberry Protein bars last night. Here is the recipe:

Cooler 1 Protein Bars

Protein Bar Base:
1 cup oats, divided
3 TB ground flax seeds
4 scoops protein powder 
1 TB Agave (see below for Cooler 1 substitute)
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tsp vanilla
2 TB water

Possible Flavor Variations/Mix Ins:

• Cooler 2 : 1 tsp Cinnamon, 1/2 tsp Nutmeg, Vanilla Protein Powder, ¼ cup cranberries
  
• Cooler 1: 1 tsp Cinnamon, Vanilla Protein Powder, 1/2 c apple, diced
• Cooler 1: 1 ½ TB Unsweetened Dark Chocolate Cocoa Powder, Chocolate Protein Powder
• Cooler 1: Replace the Agave Nectar with the comparable amount of Organic Zero, as I don't use Stevia due to possible side effects

Method:

Preheat oven to 350˚.

Make oat flower with 1/2 C oats by grinding in food processor or magic bullet. Choose a Flavor Variation. In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients together (both Protein Bar base and Flavor Variation). In another bowl mix all liquid ingredients together (both Protein Bar base and Flavor Variation). Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and combine.

Spray 6 tin foil trays with olive oil spray 1/6 of mixture in each one.

Bake in oven for 16-18 minutes.

Two bars count as ONE serving.

For the Cooler Plans, one serving counts as one serving of protein powder, 1 fruit serving or 1/2 apple, a flax serving and a bit under the oats serving (1/3 C instead of 1/2 C).