Boost Energy with Homemade, No-Bake Power Bars

West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce members started Friday morning in with fresh organic coffee provided by 6 North Cafe and a snack from the Maximized Living recipes routinely offered by the doctors and staff of . Chamber members were observing the monthly "First Friday Coffee" event, which this time was sponsored by 212 Degrees of Wellness.

Drs. Nick Barnes and Jerod Posey served as hosts for the group and offered to donate 100 percent of the proceeds to new patient exams scheduled among chamber members Friday to Circle of Concern, a West St. Louis County regional food pantry anchored in Valley Park.

For the group, chiropractor Jerod Posey made the following high-protein, high-fiber bars that require no baking. He said they are easy to take along on busy summer days and evenings.

ALMOND POWER BARS
Servings:  8 to 10 slices

2 cups raw almonds
1/2 cup flaxseed meal
1/2 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
2 scoops flavored whey protein powder
1/2 cup raw almond butter
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup coconut oil
8 drops liquid Stevia or 3/4 teaspoon Stevia powder, to taste
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract (no sugar; check the label)
8 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted and sweetened to taste with Stevia and cinnamon (optional)

Place almonds, flax meal, shredded coconut, whey powder, almond butter and salt in a food processor. Pulse briefly, about 10 seconds.

In a small sauce pan, melt coconut oil over very low heat. Remove coconut oil from stove; stir Stevia and vanilla into oil.

Add coconut oil mixture to food processor and pulse until ingredients form a coarse paste. Press mixture into an 8x8-inch glass baking dish. (A parchment paper liner helps when you want to remove the bars from the dish.)

Chill in refrigerator for 1 hour, until mixture hardens.

In a doubleboiler, melt chocolate, stirring in Stevia and cinnamon. Spread melted chocolate over bars; return to refrigerator for 30 minutes, until chocolate hardens. Remove from refrigerator, cut into bars and serve.

Recipe reprinted courtesy of 212 Degrees of Wellness.