Get Rid of the Processed and Get Prepared

Being on the go all the time, I struggle finding CLEAN (unprocessed), healthy and filling breakfast foods that I can eat on the run without having to use a refrigerator or microwave. My go to item has been the Cliff Protein Bar with 20 grams of protein, lots of sugar and tons of ingredients that I can’t pronounce. Last weekend I finally got the motivation to make a change. I ditched the easy processed food option and decided to take more initiative by making my own food.

Here are the yummy items I made. Directions and tips on how to make these items are listed below. I got these recipes from vitamix.com. 
– Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
– Cranberry and Chia Seed Granola Bars
– Pumpkin Muffins

Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (60 g) whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup (28 g) wheat germ
• 1/2 cup (70 g) raw almonds or almond flour (if you don’t have a vitamix)
• 1 cup (155 g) rolled oats
• 1 medium to large apple, seeded, cubed or 1 1/8 cups (210 g) unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 Tablespoons (45 ml) honey or agave nectar
• 1 Tablespoon of peanut butter
  • 1/4 cups chocolate chips
  • 2 handfuls of chia seeds

Instructions

1. Place wheat flour, wheat germ, almonds, and oats into the Vitamix Dry Grains container and secure lid. If you don’t have a Vitamix feel free to buy almond flour and just combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
2. Add the apple sauce (either store bought or make your own).
3. Add salt, cinnamon, vanilla, honey, peanut butter, chia seeds and chocolate chips.
4. Mix gently by hand to combine. Spread into greased 8-inch x 8-inch (20cm x 20cm) pan.
5. Bake for 25 minutes in a 350˚F (180˚C) oven.

Cranberry & Chia Seed Granola Bars

• 1/2 cup (60 g) whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup (28 g) wheat germ
• 1/2 cup (70 g) raw almonds or almond flour (if you don’t have a vitamix)
• 1 cup (155 g) rolled oats
• 1 medium to large apple, seeded, cubed or 1 1/8 cups (210 g) unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 Tablespoons (45 ml) honey or agave nectar
• 1/2 cup of dried cranberries
• 2 handfuls of chia seeds

Instructions

1. Place wheat flour, wheat germ, almonds, and oats into the Vitamix Dry Grains container and secure lid. If you don’t have a Vitamix feel free to buy almond flour and just combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
2. Add the apple sauce (either store bought or make your own).
3. Add salt, cinnamon, vanilla, honey, chia seeds and dried cranberries.
4. Mix gently by hand to combine. Spread into greased 8-inch x 8-inch (20cm x 20cm) pan.
5. Bake for 25 minutes in a 350˚F (180˚C) oven.

Pumpkin Muffins

• 2 large eggs (replace eggs with apple sauce)
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) light olive oil
• 1 cup (245 g) pumpkin, freshly cooked or canned
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) skim milk (I used almond milk)
• 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar (I used maple syrup)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 3/4 cups (219 g) unbleached, all-purpose flour (I used whole wheat flour)
• 1/2 cup (120 g) chocolate chips, mini or regular

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly coat muffin pan with vegetable cooking spray or use cupcake liners.
2. Place eggs, oil, pumpkin, milk, and sugar (or maple syrup) into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid. If you don’t have a Vitamix, just stir ingredients together.
3. In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine salt, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, flour and chocolate chips in the order listed.
4. Pour pumpkin mixture into bowl containing dry ingredients. Mix by hand just until dry ingredients are moistened.
5. Spoon into the prepared muffin pan, filling each cup 3/4 full.
6. Bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of one muffin comes out clean.
7. Cool on wire rack for 5 minutes, then carefully remove each muffin from muffin pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.