Quest Bar Review

The  other week, I received this glorious box on my door step. Behold.. it was the quest bars! I had seen and heard so much about these quest bars  that  I was immediately was intrigued and knew I had to get my hands on some {Side note– I was in a rush between class + work, and stopped home ,… and then my whole day just turned around 😀 } Thanks guys!!!

I opened the box & immediately had chocolate chip cookie dough flavor while going through all the other glorious items!

They sent me a mix of bars, quest cravings {which was like Reese’s pb cups + pasta}

I was thrilled to have been able to try them all, I loved: cookie dough, brownie, white chocolate raspberry + pb and jelly 🙂
I enjoyed these bars while at school in between classes, handy in the car, especially after a bike ride.. melted them into my breakfast oats {I swallowed this meal up fast! and thoroughly enjoyed the brownie flavor warmed up. Total dessert like.

I try my best to stay away from gluten only because I can have a flare up at anytime. So it’s great knowing that it was g/f ..Also, more protein then most bars I’ve had! I love clif bars and have them a lot because they are always sold at trader joes or my other local grocery store, so it’s something I tend to gravitate towards.. but sadly they are only 9g of protein 😦 and after having one I am still left wanting another half of one.

ALSO- No added sugars, plus each bar has about 4-6 of active carbs.

I enjoyed them all { defiantly more of a chocoltely fan over than the more fruity ones} but all in all I really enjoyed these quest bars and all the protein that was jam packed into them. That’s so important when running around throughout the day!

Thanks quest for allowing me to try all your flavors & being such a great company! I look forward to more YUMMY flavors in my next quest adventures ❤

Have you ever tried quest bars? If so- what’s your favorite?
If you haven’t & you happen to go try some after this.. do the 15 second rule* .. <– place in microwave! SO GOOD

WIAW: Peanut butter + coconut protien ballz

Happy hump day!
Whenever Wednesday rolls around, I can’t help but think how fast time is flying. September is almost over!

I am over at Starbucks today trying to switch things up! It’s always good to break out of your usually routine.

I haven’t done a WIAW post in a while and thought I’d share another ball recipe 😀 They are great! 😉
They are perfect for on the go, before a workout & a little nibble with coffee!

Also, it doesn’t hurt when you know all the ingredients that are in them. Yay for clean eating!

• 1 1/4 cups old fashioned oats
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/3 cup of honey
• 1-2 tsp vanilla {depending on how strong you prefer that flavor}
• 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips* coco shreds for rolling-Mix together, place in fridge for 30 minutes until it’s nice and firm
  Then, scoop out dough + make round ballz + roll in coconut shreds { optional }
  Place in a container.. grab + go .. enjoy!
  ENJOY!
  I am wishing I packed one with me to enjoy with my Americano right now ;-)off to get some work done.

  xx

WIAW: On the pumpkin train + pumpkin protein ballz

Hey Hey! Happy hump day ya’ll 🙂
Can’t believe we’re already half way through the week! Thanks to that extra day off we all had.

So far this week, I’ve already consumed lots of pumpkin. And I don’t think I’ll be stopping anytime soon. It’s such a fun and versatile flavor.
I said on Monday I had my eyes on a few things.. boy do I!

>> But here’s some of my most recent pumpkin consumptions 🙂 <<
Stirring it into my daily yogurt snack, mixed in with some peanut butter, honey and topped with a sweet potato, coconut + some chocolate chips!
Lots of orange going on which means vitamin C and beta-carotene.

.. Enjoying it in smoothies ..

// & most recent, some protein balls! ..

I saw this recipe from shape magazine + tweaked a few things. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (or almond butter)
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin
• 1/4 cup honey or agave <— I used honey
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 3/4 cup vanilla protein powder <— I used chocolate*
• 1 cup quick oats
• 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  { with addition of some sunflower seeds }
  
  Directions:
  In a large bowl, mix together peanut butter, pumpkin, honey, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir in protein powder, oats, and chocolate chips. Dough will be sticky. Refrigerate until easier to handle,  { I suggest letting them sit in fridge over night }. Roll dough into balls, then press between your hands to make a cookie shape. Keep stored in a container in the fridge.

They are just the right balance between: pumpkin, chocolate & some pb.

George even liked them! and he really is not on the pumpkin train.. so trust me on this! 😉

Hope you have a great day, off to get something’s done.

xx

QOTD:

Are you a lover of pumpkin? Or could care less?
What’s your favorite way to eat it?!

{ Check out some related articles: pumpkin!}

• Spiced Pumpkin and Chocolate Bundt Cake (annascuisine.wordpress.com)
• Pumpkin Protein Loaf (shinyloveaffair.com)
• Quick and Easy Pumpkin Pancakes (healthnutjulie.com)
• Skinny Pumpkin Spice Brownies (apple-of-my-eye.com)

Smoothie kick

Hi there! Helloooooooo weekend 🙂

What’s on your agenda for the weekend? This Sunday we have Cassidy’s shower & things are starting to fall into place. Between myself, Courtney & my mom.. we look like a little wedding factory with all our stuff going on. I can’t wait for the “summer bbq” food & of course …. cake! 😉

*      *      *
This week I have been on a smoothie kick like no other. Everyday I have had a smoothie at some point. Usually mid day snack or after lunch to hold me over until work. I really like the additional nutrients & protein I’m getting!

This one is my favorite so far. I also made it for Cassidy & George on Sunday.

Berry chocolate smoothie:
1 cup almond milk
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1 cup frozen blueberries <— I eye balled this*
Splash of water
& enough ice to hold everything together!

** BLEND + ENJOY **

Topped with coconut shreds for a sweet garnish*

Enjoy this weather & your weekend
xx

Iced protein coffee “frappe” shake

Monday mornings are sleepy all over the place.
Monday is the start of the week and coming back from the weekend isn’t always that easy.

I think all Mondays should start off with a little “oomph” to get us going!

Starting with a protein coffee 🙂

Ingredients:
1 cup {iced} coffee <– I placed my extra coffee from the day before in fridge*
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1/2 cup of almond milk
8 ice cubes

Directions:
Pour coffee into blender, followed by protein powder + almond milk. Blend until smooth. Add in the ice cubes!

{Usually makes 2 cups}

I love this shake, it reminds me so much of the frappes we drank every morning in Greece.
But, with a little extra something from the protein

Have a great Monday!
XX