protein Archives - Posh in Progress

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #KashiPlantPower #GOTOGETHER #CollectiveBias I recently had the opportunity to work with Kashi®, and they asked me to create a unique recipe using their new plant-based, gluten-free and vegan protein powder. I was intrigued. What creative recipe could I make that uses protein powder and tastes great? I usually make protein shakes for breakfast, but I love the idea of trying something new, outside of the standard almond milk, protein powder and fruit smoothies I drink most days. Then it hit me, what about no bake peanut butter cup protein energy balls?I am currently training for my first race, a 10K (here's why); I also try to follow a fairly clean eating plan to lose the last few baby pounds I've been carrying around. Nearly daily, I use protein powder to add extra protein to my diet to help with muscle building and recovery. Protein powder is a great way to get high-quality protein without a lot of unnecessary calories. I am excited to start using the Kashi® GOLEAN™ Plant Powered Shakes because they provide great energy and a diverse source of plant-based protein.Although I do regularly enjoy protein shakes, I created these peanut butter cup protein energy balls as another way to add great protein and a good mix of good fats and complex carbs. Plus, this recipe is super easy to make. Since the energy balls are no-bake, it takes less than 10 minutes to make these. Also, you can change up the recipe depending on your preferences.I decided to keep the recipe pretty simple with only 6 ingredients: Kashi® GOLEAN™ Plant Powered Shakes in Dark Cocoa, agave nectar, peanut butter, cacao nibs, oats and vegan chocolate. I used organic, vegan and gluten-free products to stay in line with the protein powder. Once I made the energy balls, I dipped them in vegan dark chocolate and topped them with some more cacao nibs, but if you can't find vegan chocolate, you could eat them plain, or roll the balls in the cacao nibs, crushed nuts, cacao powder, or powdered sugar!At first, I wasn't sure how the protein powder would work in the energy balls, but I was pleasantly surprised. The brand new Kashi GOLEAN protein is super fine, so it blended easily with the oats and wet ingredients. This protein mixed so well with the other ingredients, you could easily add it to other recipes to make protein pancakes or even higher protein muffins. The best part about the Kashi GOLEAN protein powder? Each serving of the Dark Cocoa flavor has 21 grams of protein, is organic, gluten free, vegan and also boasts a whole lot of probiotics to support digestion.If you're interested in trying out the brand new Kashi® GOLEAN™ Plant Powered Shakes or Kashi® Organic Breakfast Superblends, they are available at Target.com. Plus, you can use this coupon code: TGTKASHI -- to receive $10 off of one Kashi protein powder.I'm dying for you to try these peanut butter cup protein energy bites! They are SO good! I seriously ate like 6 of them the first day. Luckily, they are pretty small and full of good-for-you ingredients, so I didn't feel bad! But seriously, these are so yummy and better than most store-bought energy bars. You've gotta try 'em, and please tell me what you think! Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls Recipe Ingredients: 1 cup peanut butter (I use crunchy for added texture) 1/4 cup agave nectar 1 1/3 cup gluten free oats 3 scoops Kashi GOLEAN protein powder 1/3 cup cacao nibs, plus 2 tablespoons finely crushed for dusting 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening 2 tbsp water (if needed) 2/3 cup vegan (dairy-free) dark chocolate chips Directions: Stir dry ingredients until thoroughly mixed. Then add wet ingredients and mix thoroughly. Use a scooper or tablespoon to ensure your bites are similar sizes. Scoop and use your hands to create a round ball. Melt the dark chocolate chips and vegetable shortening in the microwave until melty (about 1 minute). Dip the energy balls into the chocolate and immediately top with crushed cacao (if desired). Once all bites are dipped in chocolate, refrigerate until the chocolate hardens. Place the energy bites in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to a week. Note: If you can't find vegan chocolate, you can easily leave out the chocolate chip coating and instead roll the balls in cacao nibs, cacao powder, crushed nuts or powdered sugar. Next time: I plan to try making these without the agave nectar for even a more righteous snack. I will probably substitute the liquid with almond milk or water (or extra peanut butter)! 1 cup peanut butter (I use crunchy for added texture)1/4 cup agave nectar1 1/3 cup oats3 scoops Kashi GOLEAN protein powder1/3 cup cacao nibs (plus 2 tablespoons finely crushed for dusting)2 tablespoons vegetable shortening2 tbsp water (if needed)2/3 cup vegan (dairy-free dark chocolate chips)