Guys. This is freaking brilliant. So, I’ve know that making “lara bars” seemed relatively easy. I liked regular Lara Bars, but it wasn’t until I tried the Coconut Creme ones that I was hooked. I’m pretty sure the only reason I survived my last week of Whole30 was because of those puppies. Thing is, at $1.25ish a piece… I was droppin a lot of dough on these little treats. So I decided to try to recreate them at home… and man oh man, they were spot on!
[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:5]
I did a ton of food prep on Sunday so that we would be well prepared for the week. Since feeling confused about my eating I realized I do better with a plan. Also with running the CrossFit we are gone most mornings, then have to come home and jump right into our “day” jobs then we are gone a lot of evenings too – when we come home and have to eat dinner later than I’d like. So I’ve been prepping lots of breakfast food like breakfast casserole and protein waffles
With the hubs on a quest to gain muscle and Little P on some kind of huge growth spurt eating kick, the breakfast casserole lasts about 3-4 days. It is seriously so good. Pop it in the microwave for about a minute, add some tabasco, tomato and avocado… the perfect breakfast in a pinch. and my kitchen stays clean. win-win.
For dinners I’ve been keeping it simple lately. For awhile I got all fancy with my meal planning and was trying something new (and most likely complicated) almost every night. Between coaching CrossFit classes, making sure my 3 year old gets to bed at a decent time, and school/house work I just don’t have the time for that. I’m relying on the crock pot a lot. I used one of my old favorites last night, Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken.
Instead of making it on a bun I put mine over roasted cauliflower and ate it with celery. Fulfills my buffalo chicken craving without the breaded and oil friend boneless buffalo wings.
I’m also trying to make an effort to keep most dairy out of my diet. I have been using canned coconut milk since the whole30 – and then I found this beauty and had to try it…
I’m not sure what makes this “Barista Style” different from the other coconut creamer I’ve tried… It seems a bit smoother. I noticed this one has pea protein and the regular one didn’t. Either way – It’s good!
Since we talked about all this amazing food, let’s also take a minute to talk weight. I know the scale is a lying whore. I also know that the last 2 weeks of food choices have been less than stellar. That is one of the reasons i’m trying to get more on board with prepping/planning so I don’t make bad choices. Since my last Weigh In Wednesday Post where I shared my Whole30 Results, I’m up 3 pounds. So, yup. I’m back to 190. I know, After eliminating dairy/grains/legumes for 30 days and then essentially bingeing on them is going to cause weight gain. Now I’m just striving to find balance. And pushing SO hard to get to my next mini goal of 175. Why are these 15lbs SO. DANG. HARD. to lose? UGH.
Linking up with Erin and Alex for Weigh In Wednesday and Linking up with Jenn for WIAW
Do you love LaraBars? Do you food prep? What have you been eating lately?
imperfectly courtney 
I also think the scale is a lying whore. I usually paraphrase at the gym and just call her a lying hoe. She is. But balance is good! Are you doing the run through the Zoo this weekend? I did something to my leg, and i will be walking it (huge bummer, im super bent about it).
Also if i live in the St. Louis area i would totally try out cross fit just because of your blog and how bad a$$ you are! 🙂
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Balance keeps me sane while trying to reach my goals. I wish I was doing the Zoo run, but we have too much going on with the CrossFit. Plus I haaaaate driving anywhere near downtown. It makes me anxious. Just have a fun walk! If you ever come over this way you should visit us!!
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That recipe looks great!
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It’s SO good!
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I think everyone has their own version of those coconut larabars! They are SO good! I’d love to see the ingredient list on that creamer…. Is it any good? Usually those SO Delicious coconut milks are loaded with yucky stuff.
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Heres the link to the ingredients: http://www.sodeliciousdairyfree.com/products/coconut-milk-creamers/barista-creamer-french-vanilla – It has Carageenen… Pretty sure thats one of the ones Whole30 says to avoid at all costs… whoops. LOL.
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For some reason the recipe didn’t show up on your other blog post.. but if it’s like the recipe on the side of the Frank’s bottle for buffalo chicken dip – amazing.
I semi-attempted to make Larabars at home recently, but it just turned into more of a granola, which was also quite amazing, but eaten with a spoon. I just did 1/4 cup each of dates, almonds, and coconut flakes, with a tablespoon or so of coconut oil. YUM. I wonder if I pressed it in a pan and refrigerated if it would have stuck together.?
Those pounds will find their way off somehow.. you’ll get it figured out! 🙂
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Oh no – I’ll have to fix that! So- I found that if you have a 2:1 Ratio of Dates:Nuts that’s how you get a good consistency. So I would double the dates and keep the almonds the same. That seems to be the ideal ratio, at least in my experience!
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Do u have the recipe for your protein waffles somewhere? I have made several versions of protein pancakes but would like to try waffles! Thanks!
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You’re so creative! 🙂 I just saw some Lara Bars at the store and they’re definitely EXPENSIVE for how little they are! I do love that there are a MAX of 4 or 5 HEALTHY ingredients though 🙂
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YES! that is what I love about them, so clean. They are high in sugar, the dates are sweet. But they are SO good. Way better choice than a candy bar!
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I used to eat Larabars and even made my own at home too, but after I finished a sugar detox I was doing I never went back to eating them. I didn’t know there was a such thing as coconut milk “barista sytle”. I will have to see if they carry that in my grocery store. I also do a sunday food prep every week, it makes the whole week much easier. I know what I have planned for dinners, breakfast,lunch and snacks.
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What sugar detox did you do? I’ve thought about the 21 Day Sugar Detox. I’m right there, meal planning just seems to make life easier!
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I followed Diane from balanced bites’ detox program she created. I’m thinking of doing it again in a couple months. It really helped me with my sweet cravings.
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I really should prep my food since I started working nights again. It’s tough and of course it always comes back on us mommies (most of the time) to make sure everyone is fed. I’m going to have to try those bars! So easy.
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YES! The hubs and I are both the same amount of busy, but I take on the responsibility of planning out our meals. It’s just easier for me to do it, mostly because I’m so used to it!
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Great job on the meal planning. I need to get on the ball with that too…I have been feeling so busy lately.
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That’s what makes me NEED to do it. I feel so busy that I’ll make an excuse to eat whatever or go out if I don’t have good food ready!
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