Cooler 1: Day 3

Today has been a LONG day! At least it’s starting to cool off a little outside. Those super hot and humid days were very difficult. I hate turning on the air conditioning and we’ve had it on since last Friday. *yuck*

While Matthew napped this afternoon I got to working on some food prep for Matthew and I, including two new Cooler 1 protein bar (actually one muffin and one donut) recipes that still need some tweaking. When they are finally delicious I will share the recipes. Until then, you can try my steadfast Cooler 1 protein bar recipe that can be found at the end of this post.

The following were my eats for today. I was super hungry and ended up eating an additional oats serving and all 6 protein servings. Still holding on to the Eat-Clean Diet Cooler 1, though. This is harder than I remember it being! I want carbs and fruit like it’s no tomorrow. 🙂

Breakfast: Fritatta – 1/2 c egg whites + 1 handful peppers + 1 handful leftover asparagus from last night
Raw Oatmeal – 1/4 c oat groats (soaked overnight) + 1/4 banana (not Cooler 1) + cinnamon + vanilla bean + homemade unsweetened almond milk all whirled up in the food processor.

Second Breakfast: Chai Tea Green Monster Smoothie – 1 scoop vanilla protein powder + 1/2 c home brewed unsweetened chai tea + 1/4 c homemade unsweetened almond milk + 2 handfuls spinach + 4-6 ice cubes

Lunch: Salad – 1 handful mixed greens + 1 handful asparagus/cucumber/peppers + chicken + 1 sweet potato + balsamic vinegar

Afternoon Snack: Cooler 1 chocolate protein muffin (counts as 1 serving protein powder + 1 serving veggies + 1/2 serving oats) + apple

Supper: Salad – Romaine lettuce + red onions + grilled chicken + balsamic vinegar

We had our annual Choir Banquet to celebrate another wonderful year, including recording a CD! So, this meal was enjoyed out of the house. I brought my own balsamic vinegar to dress the salad.

Evening Snack: 1/2 serving Cooler 1 protein donut (1 serving protein powder + 1/2 serving veggies) + 1/2 serving leftover raw oatmeal from breakfast

I am still hungry and am resisting the urge to have something else to eat. I plan to grab a cup of iced chai, put my feet up, and relax!

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Cooler 1 Protein Bars

Protein Bar Base:
1 cup oats, divided
3 TB ground flax seeds
4 scoops protein powder
1 TB Agave (see below for Cooler 1 substitute)
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tsp vanilla
2 TB water

Possible Flavor Variations/Mix Ins:
Cooler 2 : 1 tsp Cinnamon, 1/2 tsp Nutmeg, Vanilla Protein Powder, ¼ cup cranberries
Cooler 1: 1 tsp Cinnamon, Vanilla Protein Powder, 1/2 c apple, diced
Cooler 1: 1 ½ TB Unsweetened Dark Chocolate Cocoa Powder, Chocolate Protein Powder
Cooler 1: Replace the Agave Nectar with the comparable amount of Organic Zero, as I don’t use Stevia due to possible side effects
Method:
Preheat oven to 350˚.

Make oat flower with 1/2 C oats by grinding in food processor or magic bullet. Choose a Flavor Variation. In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients together (both Protein Bar base and Flavor Variation). In another bowl mix all liquid ingredients together (both Protein Bar base and Flavor Variation). Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and combine.

Spray 6 tin foil trays with olive oil spray 1/6 of mixture in each one.

Bake in oven for 16-18 minutes.

Two bars count as ONE serving.

For the Cooler Plans, one serving counts as one serving of protein powder, 1/2 fruit serving or 1/2 apple, a flax serving and a bit under the oats serving (1/3 C instead of 1/2 C).