This is a snack/ dessert/ pre-workout /post-workout/ treat/ breakfast that Eric & I both love to eat. Let me warn you that they are impossible to just eat one....Chomp on one[or two] and wash it down with a cold glass of milk..soy, almond, or dairy if you prefer, and you have yourself a little party in your mouth! So YUM.

They are so versatile and tasty that it's the perfect thing to have in the fridge throughout the week.  They are delicious and healthier than any store bought energy bars( Of course, I don't have to tell you that all things home made are). Plus you get the satisfaction of making them, and the ease of mind, knowing that some ingredient that you can hardly pronounce is not strategically hidden inside! =) 

Oh, and did I mention they are easy to make!? That is the best part, considering my ever changing love/hate relationship with cooking. 

The ingredient list is simple, and you can change it up and omit or add anything you want really based on preference and allergies!

And to be perfectly honest, when I make these at home, I do more of the "eye and pour" type method and never truly use exact amounts.  I base it off of the texture I am looking for and add more or less of the ingredients as I go...BUT if you are an exact recipe type of person, here are some exact measurements. 
Ingredients:
1. 1/2 cup Peanut Butter
2. 2 scoops Chocolate flavored protein powder( I just use the scoop inside the container)
3. 1/3 cup Organic Honey
*4. 1 cup Oats
*5. 1/4 cup Raisins
*6. Chopped Nuts(a handful..more or less as you like)

*I found a pre-mixed bag of oat flakes,barley flakes, sunflower seeds, nuts, raisins and dried apples that I like to use.  It tastes just as good and has a few more extra goodies packed inside.  So keep an eye out at the store for something like this, and just note that it works the same! I would consider it a granola of sorts
Just use 1 1/4 cup of the mixture

If the mixture is too dry, add more honey.

Directions:
1. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl until all blended together (I used a spoon at first, then my hands to really mix the chocolate powder and peanut butter)
2. Roll into bite sized balls and eat!
3. Store them in the refrigerator

I don't know how long they are good for in the fridge because we always eat them up in a day or two....Oops.
And to be perfectly honest, I prefer them fresh and at room temperature. Hope you ENJOY!


Source:  Adapted from:   Live Love Pasta

Ingredients:
1. 4 bell peppers( red, green or yellow is fine)
2.One can of cooked lentils
3. 1 cup quinoa, cooked according to package directions
4. One can dices tomatoes
5. 1 diced jalapeno
6. Chili Powder( to taste)
7. 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
8. 1/4 tsp. Garlic powder
9. 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
10. Desired cheese for topping, optional

Directions:
1. Wash, halve and remove all seeds and stems from the bell peppers.
2.  To roast the peppers, you can use many different methods...I personally wrap them in foil and bake them in the oven @ 350 degrees until they are tender( about 45 minutes-1 hour)
3. Meanwhile, cook quinoa as package directs.
4.  Add lentils, diced jalapeno, and canned tomatoes to cooked quinoa on the stove top.
5.  Mix in all seasonings and Worcestershire sauce into mixture, let simmer to meld the flavors.
6. Once the peppers are tender and slightly browned in spots, take them out of the foil and fill them with the lentil and quinoa mixture. Be careful, as the foil and peppers are HOT.
7.  Place them back in the oven with cheese on top until cheese is melted and slightly browned.

If you are like me, and you LOVE all things smothered in buffalo sauce, then I guarantee you will totally dig this new and improved [healthier] meatless version of the original "breaded buffalo chicken sandwich".

First of all, there is no deep-frying involved in this, which already cuts back on all that tummy ache causing grease consumption. Secondly, instead of chicken, I use eggplant.  Before you immediately click out of this and say WTF, that sounds disgusting, please hear me out!

Basically, I am taking the steps of a basic eggplant Parmesan recipes and turning it into a "breaded patty" that is PERFECT for smothering in buffalo sauce and throwing on a bun with all the trimmings.

Have faith in this, and trust me....my husband and I both love this recipe!!! And if you have ever had eggplant, you know it doesn't have much of it's own flavor and kind of just takes on the flavor of whatever seasonings you use....
I'm not going to say that these taste like chicken sandwiches, because they don't....BUT they do taste like crunchy, buffalo awesomeness.

FINALLY, on to the recipe.....

But wait! Here is what you can expect it to look like when it's all said and done....