Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookie Protein Bars...what..YUM!

Had just one too many protein shakes? Or maybe you bought a big container of protein shake mix but have no idea what to do with it! Here is a new way to get your protein fast with healthy and natural ingredients...and is delicious! Make a batch of these bars and have one after a workout, or for breakfast with some fruit and coffee, or anytime you need a little something to hold you over! Oh...and the best part is that you don't even have to turn the oven on! Just pop them into the freezer for a few and done.

2 Cups rolled Oats

1/2 Cup Natural Peanut Butter

1 Tbsp Coconut Oil

1 Tbsp Agave Nectar or honey

1/2 Cup unsweetened applesauce

Dash of vanilla extract

4 scoops of vanilla protein powder

Mix all ingredients together until they are well blended. (I washed my hands and then just mixed together with my hands...much easier then trying to mix with a spoon!) Line 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper and put mixture into the dish. Press down firmly until even and place in the freezer for about 30 min. Remove, cut into 6 bars, and enjoy!

Treasure Today

How do you live from day to day? Do you go through the motions...same ol' same ol', day in and day out? Do make sure everything and everyone is in order and by the end of the day you realize you forgot about yourself? Do you run errands in Target and the grocery store and feel anxious and insecure because you just hate the idea of doing anything alone. I have come to find that many of us can be like that, from time to time or even every day. We can feel like we are being watched and judged, so we stay where we are comfortable. It's easy to become stuck in a rut from life's "meaningless" duties, we start to feel discontent and bored with life. I want to challenge you today! Decide that you are going to value today and what it will bring. Today may look a lot like it did yesterday..but you have the choice to make today so much more. Do something you've wanted to do for a while, try a new food, sit outside and notice the beauty around you. Maybe call a friend you haven't spoken to in a while, forgive someone that hurt you, do something fun and out of the ordinary with your kids or spouse. We aren't promised anything in life, all we have is today...the moment you are in right now. What will you do with it? No matter what your job is, how old/young you are, what you have....you are the only you your friends and family have, the only you the world has! Take pride in your uniqueness and remind yourself how valuable you are...treasure today!!