Submitted by: Chris Mitchell, GroupX Instructor, O2 Fitness Brennan and 540
You can find this recipe for coconut almond bars on the Runner's World website. Sounds awesome! FYI: My family's favorite natural peanut butter (we've tried them all): Skippy Natural. You can get it in the biggest size and for the best price at Super Target. Natural peanut butter is not quite as good for you as organic peanut butter, but it tastes better, and doesn't have the oil collecting at the top. Try to do natural over plain PB...much better for you! If you want Tahini instead, you can find it at Earthfare and Wholefoods.
And remember: the old thoughts about nuts being bad for you- WRONG!
Pre-Run/Workout Snack: Coconut-Almond Bars
How To: Combine two cups rolled oats, one cup unsweetened coconut, and 1/2 cup each: dates (or raisins), raw almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and cashews. Mix 1 1/2 cups tahini (or natural peanut butter) with one cup honey and one teaspoon vanilla. Microwave for one minute. Combine wet and dry ingredients. On a greased baking sheet, spread mixture into a one-inch-high rectangle. Cut into 12 bars. Or, if time allows, bake at 350° F for 15 minutes.
How Come: This recipe for energy bars, adapted from The Bakery in New Paltz, New York, has powered runners, bikers, and climbers for nearly 30 years. The dates and honey provide quick carbs, while the nuts are high in healthy fats, which help sustain energy levels. People doing the fat-free thing often find they're hungry all the time, so the oats keep cholesterol in check, and research shows the fiber in oats may offset the risk of upper-respiratory infections, which are common in runners!
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