Cacao Nib Protein Bars

You've rushed around the house, made lunches, gotten everybody up, and managed to get to school on time.  Now you get to fight the morning commuters and get to the gym, arrive, set up your step, or claim your spot for the group fitness class, only to realise you forgot to eat before you left the house?!  The worst!  This cannot be only a busy mama problem!

I know if I don't eat before I workout, there's a burnout point I just can't push past.  I won't get the best workout that I'm after, and what a waste of time is that?!

Eating 20 minutes to an hour before you sweat, helps you to workout longer and harder.  Fact. 
For your best workout choose something with complex carbs, which will break down slowly and deliver continuous energy, as well as protein, which helps you build and maintain lean muscle.  And, maybe most important, it should taste good too!!  Got you covered on all bases with these Cacao Nib Protein Bars! 

Cacao Nib Protein Bars
1/4 cup Almond Butter ( or your favourite nut butter)
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup protein powder ( I use a vanilla flavoured one)
1/4 cup ground flax meal
1/4 cup buckwheat groats
2 Tablespoons honey, agave, or maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 Tablespoons Cacao Nibs

Have ready a baking dish lined with parchment, approximately 8x8 in size.  
Using a medium sized bowl, melt the coconut oil in microwave (or melt via stove top and transfer to bowl).  Add to the melted coconut oil the  almond butter, and protein powder, mixing until smooth.  Next add in ground flax, buckwheat groats, honey, and vanilla, mixing to combine.
Spoon into your prepared dish, sprinkle the cacao nibs over the top of the bars, pushing the nibs in as you level it out the mixture, using the back of a spoon, your fingertips, or parchment paper.
Place dish in the fridge or freezer allowing the bars to set, and cut into squares before serving, or pre-wrap so they are easy to grab on the go!

Enjoy!