Family movie night + latest adventures

Family movie night + latest adventures

  August 31, 2020    Pratik Bandagale

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Sharing a themed Ratatouille family dinner and movie night + what we’ve been up to lately.

Hi friends. I hope you had a lovely weekend. Thank you so much for your outpouring of love and sweet comments, DMs, and emails about Bella’s diagnosis. Even though she’s had a very long and happy life, surrounded by people who love her and just want to feed her the chicken she desires, I’m still gutted by the news. I talked to her wonderful vet tech for for a while on Friday and he gave us an idea of how this will progress and things to look out for. (Basically I need to make her food as appetizing as possible so she’ll keep eating.)

It was a rough week and to add to the fun, I threw out my back. I saw a chiropractor hoping for sweet relief but she only used the little hand clicky thing and it didn’t help. I’m seeing another chiro tomorrow with hopes that she’ll hold me like a baby, pop everything into place, and I can be normal again. (I throw my back out maybe once every 2-3 years and it’s horrible. I’ve been hobbling around since last Wednesday and crying over Bella. I’m a hot mess, let me tell ya.)

One of the few things to get me out of this funk was a family movie night that we’d planned a while back. Before you think I’m creative and crafty, I cannot take credit for this cute idea. One of my friends (a real-life Pinterest mom) has been hosting themed movie nights for her kiddos each week. I thought the girls would love this, so I planned a movie night around Ratatouille – a light-hearted movie that we all enjoy.

I created a menu and movie tickets,

(just made these on Canva)

Ordered some chef hats from Amazon,

and we feasted on grapes, cheese, and homemade sourdough, Remy’s potato soup (recipe is here and it was AWESOME. I used almond milk instead of the cream), classic ratatouille (my first time making it) and movie candy. It was such an easy at-home activity and a fun way to switch up the usual movie night. The girls have already requested their next selections. We’re going to do Princess and the Frog this week!

Over the weekend, we had our usual girls’ weekend fun (the Pilot was out of town). P had horseback lessons (she’s getting so good and loves it!), Liv had dance, we met up with friends for dinner at the pool, and Saturday was my dad’s birthday.

We love hanging out over there and the girls always have a blast swimming and playing in the playroom. We feasted on Mexican food, sang, “Happy Birthday” to my dad, and ate volcano for dessert.

This week, we’re back into the swing of things. It’s nice to have a little bit of a routine and predictability even though distance learning has still been a bit tricky. How are you guys doing with the distance learning thing? Any tips or things that are working well for you? I just feel like it’s not a lot of actual instruction and a lot of work/assignments.

Any fun weekly things you’ve done with the kiddos to give everyone something to look forward to? The girls loved weekly “sleep in a tent” nights until the novelty wore off a few months later. Family movie night is taking the place for now.

Happy Monday and I’ll see ya in the am with a post on how to set up your Peloton or any spin bike.

xo

Gina

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WEEKLY WORKOUT SCHEDULE

WEEKLY WORKOUT SCHEDULE

  August 29, 2020    Pratik Bandagale

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Fall workout schedule

You did it!!!!! You officially have completed Summer Shape Up and we couldn’t be more excited for you! We can’t even begin to explain how proud we are of all of #TeamLSF, you babes absolutely crushed it this summer and we can’t wait to see your amazing transformation photos!

There’s always so many fun things going on at LSF, and we are so pumped for the next thing, all September long…. Self Care September! It’s self care awareness month and we want to make sure you are taking this entire month for YOU. Print out the self care calendar and check out all of the Self Care September deets below!

In the spirit of Self Care September… we are slowing things down with this mellow playlist by all incredible and strong female artists! Seriously, this playlist is an ultimate VIBE, and might be our new favorite. Don’t miss it below!

Let’s get ready to sweat – here’s your fall workout schedule!

Access the Free Daily 10 in the LSF app! Download on your itunes or google play stores.

Today’s Workout

Exclusive App Workout + Daily 10 in the App

Don’t have the app? Download now or try this workout on Youtube.

#LSFMadeitMonday Write Down 5 Good things about today!

Today’s Workout

Exclusive App Workout + Daily 10 in the App

Don’t have the app? Download now or try this workout on Youtube.

#LSFRollCall Go to the LSF Inspire Board on Pinterest and post your favorite quote to IG!

Today’s Workout

Exclusive App Workout + Daily 10 in the App

Don’t have the app? Download now or try this workout on Youtube.

#LSFRollCall: Doodle anything that comes to mind today!

Self Care September is HERE!! We are so excited for this mini challenge. Click the button below for all of the deets

Today’s Workout

Exclusive App Workout + Daily 10 in the App

Don’t have the app? Download now or try this workout on Youtube.

#LSFRollCall Take a nice bath or shower, light a candle & zen out!

Today’s Workout

Exclusive App Workout + Daily 10 in the App

Don’t have the app? Download now or try this workout on Youtube.

#LSFFeelinYourselfFriday: Listen to your favorite podcast and share it on IG!

No one likes dealing with belly bloat, but sometimes it feel like we’re always. bloated. But we got you girl, with 5 easy ways to get rid of belly bloat fast brand new on the blog! Check it out!

Today’s Workout

Exclusive App Workout + Daily 10 in the App

Don’t have the app? Download now or try this workout on Youtube.

#LSFRollCall Give Yourself 3 compliment. Write them down where you can see them!

Today’s Workout

Exclusive App Workout + Daily 10 in the App

Don’t have the app? Download now or try this workout on Youtube.

#LSFRollCall Reach out to an LSF babe you don’t know and introduce yourself!

The ULTIMATE mellow, bada**, girl vibes playlist

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My Best Tips for Self Care

My Best Tips for Self Care

  August 29, 2020    Pratik Bandagale

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tips for self care

Now that our Summer Shape Up challenge is in the books, we just want to tell you how proud we are of this LSF community! One of the most important parts of staying motivated is making sure you’re giving yourself the rest and rejuvenation you need. And what perfect timing, because September is Self Care Awareness Month and WE. ARE. CELEBRATING.

We put together a self care mini challenge for you to do for the entire month of September! It’s time for you to focus on YOU – rest, recharge, and give yourself the self care you deserve. How it works? Use the printable below to complete each self care task every day!

Additionally, throughout the entire month of September we are doing two IG Lives a week – one workout and one self care workshop with Katie and other besties of LSF! You’ll find the entire schedule for the month on your self care calendar. And week 3? We are all doing the Self Love Workbook together!! Grab your girls and get ready for some reflection, growth, and self love.

Need a little self care inspo? Check out some of our fave ideas!

Spa Day

Run by Sephora or your favorite beauty store and pick up some of their best face masks, polish, and essential oils and have an at-home spa day! Indulge in your favorite treatments from the comfort of your own home, for a fraction of the price. The time spent resting and recharging will equip you to head into your next workout ready to go!

Dinner & Movie Night 

Make some reservations with your go-to girlfriend, and hit the town! A night of some well-deserved fun and treating yourself to a yummy meal before enjoying a rom-com at home is the perfect way to reward yourself for your hard work! Make one of our healthy dessert or drink recipes for a complete girls night!

Shopping Spree 

These tips for self care don’t need any introduction – girl, you know exactly what to do! Hit your favorite store and grab some cute new pieces for your closet! Or use some of your treat-yourself-budget to buy a couple of new workout pieces that will make you super excited to get dressed for your next sweat session. (Psst… we know of a place to get some new swag!)

Day Trip 

If you need a little getaway without having to make it an official vacay, a day trip is the perfect way to get what you need! Hop in the car with your bestie and head up the coast or into the mountains, and stop at a cute coffee shop or landmark along the way to snap a pic or two. Take on a little adventure to leave you feeling refreshed! Don’t feel like going anywhere? Build your own paradise at home!

We know these tips for self care will help you build momentum as you keep crushing your goals, but what’s most important is finding what form of self care works best for you. Instead of a spa day, you might prefer a hike or a yoga. Rather than dinner and a movie, taking a walk to your fave coffee shop with a friend for some heart-to-heart convo might be what you love! 

Whatever your own tips for self care might be, focus this month on making it more of a priority in your schedule. Improving your ability to care for yourself and recharge will only help you in your fitness journey!

We’re so excited to see how these tricks and tips for self care help you get closer to crushing your goals. Grab your Self Love Workbook and let’s work on the art of treat-yo-self during this amazing month of Self Care September!

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a Bella update

a Bella update

  August 28, 2020    Pratik Bandagale

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Hi friends. I hope you’ve had a wonderful week and that you’re enjoying the morning.

I’m sorry that I don’t have the usual Friday Faves post this morning, but we received devastating news this week. I mentioned last week that we took Bella to an ophthalmologist because her eye has been extremely swollen and inflamed. He put her on some meds and said he’d like to eventually get a CT scan to see what was going on. The meds hadn’t helped, and Sunday morning, her eye looked even more swollen and now had a bubble on the lens. I called the doctor again Monday morning, he saw her that afternoon, and was very concerned that it was worsening. He got her in for a CT scan and biopsy the following day.

After the CT scan, he called with the results: it’s a large tumor behind her eye and has invaded her eye, the bones in her face, and her nasal cavity. He didn’t remove the tumor or the eye because the tumor is so large, and it would require extensive bone surgery. Because the tumor was so vascular, they had a hard time stopping the bleeding from the biopsy. He said he’d call me back once the bleeding was under control, and we drove down there so we’d be right outside if she didn’t make it. We were sick with worry when it had been almost an hour, but thankfully, the technician was able to tell Tom at the door of the office that Bella had made it through the procedure and was recovering.

I feel like with all of the ‘Rona stuff, I’ve handled it fairly well. Our lives have been turned upside down but in the grand scheme of things, we’ve been alright. So many times during quarantine, I would tell the Pilot, “Thank God Bella is here” or “Look at how much time we get to spend with the dogs!” I’ve been sad/stressed about the school situation for the girls, but knew in my heart it would all be ok.

In the past three days, I’ve cried until I was sure I had no more tears left. I’m ok for a little while and then before I know it, tears are once again streaming down my face uncontrollably. My heart is literally broken and this feels like something too cruel and unfair even for 2020. I can’t imagine life without Bella and it’s a horrible reality I’ll have to know sooner rather than later. She’s been there with me my entire adult life: through our wedding, four deployments, the birth of our babies, moves, traveling, sickness, deaths in the family, everything. She’s slept in bed, curled up next to me, for the past 14 1/2 years. She’s always been more of a person than a dog… my person. The only thing that’s brought me a tiny bit of comfort during this week has been the fact that I’ve never taken her for granted. I’ve always told her and shown her how much I love her and how much she means to me.

Baby Bella:

I keep reminding myself that the incredible grief that I feel is a small price to pay for the endless love and joy she’s brought into our lives.

We’re making the most out of the time she has left by spoiling the heck out her. (Caro is also really enjoying this new “eat whatever they want” thing.) I’ve been making them salmon, chicken for days, and showering her with belly rubs and kisses. We’ll also take the dogs on some outdoor adventures and walks when she’s had a little time to recover from the procedure. We’re determined to not let her suffer, so we’ll be watching her carefully for quality of life. For now, she’s still wagging her tail and begging for food, so that’s a good thing. <3

I’m sorry this post is the opposite of my usual Friday fare, but just wanted to share an update of what’s going on. Bella has always been a part of the blog and so many of you have said that you feel like you know this sassy chicken-loving gal. Thank you so much for those of you who have sent heartfelt and kind DMs and emails. I hope you know how much it’s meant to me this week.

Hope that you have a relaxing weekend ahead and I’ll see ya soon.

xo

Gina

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The BEST Healthy Stuffed Mushrooms

The BEST Healthy Stuffed Mushrooms

  August 27, 2020    Pratik Bandagale

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stuffed mushrooms

You know when you get invited to a party, and you have to bring an appetizer? Or maybe it’s a little potluck picnic with your besties and you want to do something different than cheese and crackers… but you have zero ideas. Maybe you just crushed a workout and want a quick and yummy snack. Girl, I’m telling you, it’s time to make these stuffed mushrooms!

These are my newest go to snack or appetizer when I need to make something quick, easy but guilt free. Usually, quick snacks are calorie heavy, packed with salt and full of processed junk that is no bueno for our bods. For me, they make me totally bloated. Blech. Whenever I’m feeling not so great with my nutrition I love to do the Hot Body Meal Plan, or even just a quick little reset with my 7 Day Slim Down. Byeeee bloat!

But regardless if you’re not feeling so amazing, or if you’re totally crushing your nutrition game, these stuffed mushrooms are totally healthy but still something your gal pals will enjoy. It’s a win win!

That’s it! How easy, right?! My favorite addition in this recipe are the fresh mint leaves. Yum. I love heathifying not so good for you recipes, and that’s why I wrote over 120 of them in the Guiltless Nutrition Guide. Try it out and enjoy!

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057: Digestive health and building a healthy immune system with Dr. Melina Roberts

057: Digestive health and building a healthy immune system with Dr. Melina Roberts

  August 27, 2020    Pratik Bandagale

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Hi friends! I’m so excited to have Dr. Melina Roberts on the podcast this morning. She was so knowledgeable and I really enjoyed our conversation. I hope you love this one!

Here’s what we chat about on today’s episode: 

Tips for promoting a healthy immune system, especially with everything going on and as we head into the winter months

Go-to supplements

Alkaline water or regular filtered water?

Importance of digestive health and tips for promoting healthy digestion

Her experience with cancer therapy and things we can do to protect ourselves as we continue to age

And so.much.more.

Here’s a little bit more about Dr. Melina Roberts:

Dr. Melina Roberts is a Naturopathic Doctor, Author of Building a Healthy Child and Founder of Advanced Naturopathic Medical Centre in Calgary. She is recognized as one of the top Biological Medicine practitioners in North America and is a lecturer for the Paracelsus Academy. She is a leading authority in the field of naturopathic medicine specializing in Biological Medicine effectively treating digestive issues, chronic disease and cancer. Dr. Roberts is a graduate of the University of Waterloo and the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto. She did a 2 year post-graduate study in Biological Medicine with Paracelsus Klinik in Switzerland. She was selected to be a TEDx speaker for 2020.

You can connect with her on her website or on Instagram. 

Check out her book, Building a Healthy Child here. 

Resources:

Check out Daily Harvest for quick and delicious meal options, especially when we’re crazy busy. They’re vegan, gluten-free, and so so good. I love the smoothies, scoops, bowls, and flatbreads! Use the code FITNESSISTA for $25 off your first box.

CBD has changed my life. It helps so much with my anxiety and sense of calmness. You can read more about my experience with CBD here and use the code FITNESSISTA here to get an extra 15% off your first order. (I love the flavored drops!)

Thank you so much for listening and for all of your support with the podcast! Please leave a rating or review if you enjoyed this episode. If you leave a rating, head to this page and you’ll get a little “thank you” gift from me to you.

You can listen and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play.

xoxo

Gina

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Can You Gain Weight From Eating Too Little?

Can You Gain Weight From Eating Too Little?

  August 26, 2020    Pratik Bandagale

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There’s a risk you might read only one sentence and then leave this page, but it’s worth the risk to make sure this point is clear: you will not gain weight from eating too few calories.

If there’s nothing else you learn from this post, let it be that. But, there’s so much more that explains why (and how) under-eating can seemingly lead to weight gain. 

One of the hardest parts of dieting — which happens to almost everyone — is that moment where you get frustrated with weight loss and you try to reduce calories, even more, to make the scale drop lower again.

And what happens? You appear to be gaining weight.

It’s incredibly frustrating and you insist your body must be broken, or maybe it’s the gluten…or dairy…or artificial sweeteners that are making you fat. But, artificial sweeteners are not to blame, and your body isn’t broken.

3 Reasons You Gain Weight (When You Least Expect It)

So what’s going on? Precision Nutrition outlined many reasons why it seems like under-eating can lead to weight gain, even though it’s not the case.

In our experience with online coaching clients, we’ve seen everything. But, when it comes to weight loss, there are three common reasons you might continue to struggle with weight loss, even if it seems like you’re doing everything right. 

All of them, ultimately, deal with the ways that it’s easy to misunderstand calories. As we already mentioned, you can’t under-eat your way to weight gain. But, you can appear to be under-eating and still gaining weight.

We want to make sure you can easily identify all of the sneaky ways you can be tricked into following a diet that only leads to added frustration (and a scale that won’t move).

Foods With Hidden Calories

Whether you’re a dieting pro or don’t know the difference between a carbohydrate and protein, hidden calories suck and they are everywhere. The Precision Nutrition article shared the following example, which we’ve witnessed hundreds of times:

I once had a client discover he was using ten tablespoons of olive oil — 1200 calories — rather than the two tablespoons — 240 calories — he thought he was using in his stir-fry. Oops.

It’s frustratingly simple for hidden calories to pile up quickly day-over-day, and week-over-week, and that’s all it takes to keep you in a plateau or even gain weight, despite your best efforts. 

Rather than worrying about counting calories, it’s important to easily recognize where most hidden calories are typically found. 

See the graphic below, so you can think twice when you eat. What makes all of these hidden-calorie foods so difficult is that they are calorically dense. That means, even if they are healthy for you (which several of them are), just a small serving packs a big punch of calories, which is why it’s so simple to eat much more than you thought. 

How Much Is A 2,000-Calorie Diet

Because very few of us spend our time measuring and weighing food (and rightfully so), it can be shocking to learn just how much we underestimate the number of calories we consume a day.

And the research backs it up. On average, people will underestimate their caloric intake by 30 percent, and sometimes they can estimate by as much as 45 percent. That makes a big difference.

And, to be fair, a lot of people will make it seem like this is an education issue, but even pros can’t tell how much food is in a meal. Case-in-point:

A few years ago Dr. Berardi (JB, as he’s known around here) went out to eat with some friends at a well-known restaurant chain. He ordered one of their “healthier” meals that emphasized protein, veggies, and “clean” carbs. Then he finished off dinner with cheesecake. Curious about how much energy he’d consumed, he looked it up.

Five. Thousand. Calories.

I’ve had the same issue. And it can be minor things. Like how my “1 spoonful” of Justin’s Maple Almond Nut Butter is closer to eating half a jar, but I could count 1 spoonful. You might not keep track, but your body does.

Calories-In, Calories-Out Is Confusing 

Yes, this law of thermodynamics is still the #1 determinant of weight loss or gain. But what counts as “calories in” or “calories out” is not that simple.

For instance, all of the following factors can influence your “calories in” equation: the composition of your meals (protein, carbs, fats), your body type, the amount of muscle/amount of body fat, hormones, genetics, your environment, how you slept last night, levels of stress, and much more.

Let’s just take one small example. When you eat a meal, each type of food has a different “thermic effect of food” or TEF. This is the rate at which your body metabolizes a meal. Or, in other words, it’s how many additional calories you’ll burn when you eat a specific food.

Protein has the highest TEF, which ranges from 25 to 35 percent.

Comparatively, carbs are only 6 to 8 percent, and fats are the least metabolically active with a TEF of about 3-5 percent.  

That means if two people each eat a 500-calorie meal, but one person has more protein and the other person has more fat, the “calories-in” model will look different for each individual, even if they are having the exact same number of calories.

All of which is to say, many factors matter in determining how your body stores (and burns) calories. So, when frustration kicks in, don’t give up on yourself, don’t try to be perfect, and remember that there’s no use in trying to outsmart the system. 

It’s not that we’re lying (though we can sometimes deceive ourselves, and others, about our intake). More than anything, it’s that we struggle to estimate portion sizes and calorie counts. This is especially difficult today when plates and portions are bigger than ever. And energy-dense, incredible tasting, and highly brain-rewarding “foods” are ubiquitous, cheap, and socially encouraged.

Instead, search for a diet you think you can follow. And when you start following it, add checks and balances to keep you accountable, and support to remove the need for “perfection.” And then other systems that ensure you won’t be overeating without your own knowledge.

If you need help with finding the right diet, or someone to help you with those checks and balances, our online coaching program may be right for you. Every client is assigned two coaches — one for nutrition and one for fitness. Find out more here. 

Have questions? Share them in the comments below.

READ MORE: 

Should I Cut Out Alcohol To Get Rid Of Fat?

Why Am I Hungry All The Time?

The Beginner’s Guide To Fat Loss

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5 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Belly Bloat Fast

5 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Belly Bloat Fast

  August 26, 2020    Pratik Bandagale

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Get Rid of Belly Bloat Fast

We’re in the final days of our Summer Shape Up challenge! Can you believe it? Now that we’re on the tail end of this thing, I’m SO HAPPY to see how many of you babes have rocked it! I’m so proud of you for putting yourself first and making it happen!

And after all of the hard work you’ve put in, I want to make sure you get the absolute best results possible. But there’s one thing that might be standing in your way: belly bloat.

Don’t sweat, girl! I’ve got five easy ways to get rid of belly bloat fast. Let’s check them out.

#1: Get away from salt

So much of the time, bloating really comes down to water retention. Does that mean you should scale back on how much water you’re drinking? Absolutely not!! In fact, too little water can freak your body out, making it hold onto water instead of processing it like it should. Drink up!

So what makes your body retain water? Too much sodium is usually the culprit. This doesn’t just mean skipping the table salt. A ton of packaged foods contain a ton of sodium. Watch out!

Scaling back your sodium intake is one of the best ways to get rid of belly bloat fast. More on this in the 7 Day Slim Down.

#2: Get more fiber

Another bloat culprit? Constipation. 

Usually, this happens from a mix of not eating enough fiber, not drinking enough water, and not getting enough physical activity. If you’ve been feeling a little backed up, work some high-fiber foods into your meal plan. Those include:

• Pears
• Bananas
• Avocados
• Strawberries
• Carrots
• Lentils
• Beans

#3: Get your sweat on

Want to get rid of belly bloat fast? Blast through your workout. Exercise stimulates your digestion, which can help you slim down that belly. 

If I’m really trying to beat bloat, I’ll usually do a workout that targets my core and involves some twisting. Getting that area moving physically helps to get your digestion moving so you can get your flattest stomach possible — plus more toned abs! You can find tons in the LSF App or on my YouTube channel too!

#4: Eat slower and more mindfully

I know how easy it is to plop down in front of the TV at dinnertime or to knock out some work while you eat lunch. But scarfing down a meal means two things. First, you’ll probably eat more than you need. Second, you’re probably not chewing enough and you’re probably swallowing more air than you need.

Slow it down. Chew each bite and enjoy it! As you’re working toward your slimmest stomach, eating with intention can go a long way. 

#5: Down a shot 

My last tip to get rid of belly bloat fast isn’t the tastiest, but give it a shot and I bet you’ll agree the results are worth it. In the morning, mix the juice from half a lemon with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a pinch of cayenne. You can dilute it with water if the taste is too intense.

This drink helps to stimulate your digestion so you can enjoy your flattest stomach. Make it a part of your morning routine and watch that bloat melt away. 

My 7 Day Slim Down Results

This will get you started, but if you really want to get rid of belly bloat fast, I’d definitely recommend checking out our 7-Day Slim Down. That guide is literally designed to banish even the most chronic belly bloat, and I always feel soooo good after I do it.

We’re almost to the end of this challenge, ladies! Let’s stay strong!!

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Crunchy almond butter chocolate bars

Crunchy almond butter chocolate bars

  August 25, 2020    Pratik Bandagale

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These crunchy almond butter chocolate bars are a quick and healthy dessert or treat idea. They’re gluten-free, only take 10 minutes of active prep, and can be easily tweaked for my vegan friends. 

We could all go for a little sweet bite, right? To be honest, I just really needed something this weekend where I could leave half the mix or dough in the bowl just for myself and sit on the floor and eat it. Anyone else? 

I used to bake and make kitchen creations all the time. Lately, I don’t know if it’s been the heat, the overwhelming feeling of everything going on, or what, but lately I just haven’t been into it. I’ve made muffins and banana bread with the girls, but haven’t felt that creative kitchen mojo lately. It’s the most I can do right now to just make sure everyone is fed – so.many.snacks – and the kitchen clean in between.

Needless to say, I found a random blast of inspiration this weekend. The girls were playing dolls together, I felt like I had caught up on chores, and I saw this box of puffed brown rice cereal in the pantry. I immediately thought of my beloved crunchy almond butter truffles and thought they’d be amazing in bar form.

I ask the girls if they wanted to help me make a tasty treat and they were immediately on board.

The best part is that this recipe makes a pretty large batch, so they’re perfect to store in the fridge or freezer when you need a sweet bite. I love a little chocolate or something sweet around 3pm, or while I’m watching a little mindless TV at night.

Here’s the quick and easy recipe if you want to make a little dessert with the kiddos or treat yourself this afternoon!

Print

Crunchy almond butter chocolate bars

A delicious little sweet treat that’s gluten-free and easily made vegan. Make these to store in the freezer for a delicious healthy dessert!

• Author: Gina Harney // The Fitnessista
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars

Ingredients

5 cups puffed brown rice cereal

1/3 cup coconut butter

2 tablespoons butter (or vegan butter)

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

2/3 cup smooth almond butter (or nut butter of choice)

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extra

Big pinch of sea salt

1/2 bag of chocolate chips for dipping

Instructions

1. Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Pour the brown rice cereal into a large bowl.
2. In a small saucepan, heat the coconut butter, butter, cocoa powder, almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt on medium-low heat until smooth and creamy.
3. Pour the mixture onto the brown rice cereal and gently stir to coat.
4. Gently press the mixture into the baking dish and set in the fridge to harden, about 1 hour.
5. In a glass bowl, microwave the chocolate chips for 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth and melted.
6. Remove the bars from the pan, using the parchment paper, and cut into 24 pieces. Dip each bar into the melted chocolate and place back on a parchment-lined serving platter or the baking dish to set in the fridge.
7. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Store in the fridge until serving because at room temperature, the bars don’t hold their shape as well.

Freeze any additional bars! They’re so good out of the freezer.

Keywords: healthy dessert, brown rice crispy bars, gluten free desserts

Did you make this recipe?

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Please let me know if you give it a try!

What’s your go-to when you want a sweet treat?

Hope you have a lovely afternoon and thank you for stopping by the blog today!

xo

Gina

More of my fave healthy treats:

No-bake almond butter oat bars

Chocolate peanut butter protein cake

The best pumpkin chocolate chip bars

S’mores in a jar with vegan chocolate mousse

Raw brownies

Banana nice cream protein bites

The post Crunchy almond butter chocolate bars appeared first on The Fitnessista.

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