Its’ confession time again, friends!
Since my running mileage has gone from 40+ miles a week during marathon training to a big ol’ zero right now, it’s taken some time for my mind (and belly) to realize that I don’t need the same amount of fuel. For the month of June, I continued to eat like I was training hard. Eating whatever I wanted. A month of over indulging in sweets and cravings of anything salty like chips and crackers. There was also a lot of “eating my feelings”ย – mad about the results of the marathon, not being able to run afterwards and major stress from work. While I was still working out, it wasn’t the same intensity as running. Hence, I wasn’t torching as many calories. At the end of the month, I began to feel it. Lethargic, bloated, feeling blah and not like myself.
Not really the reason I love to run but it sure does help!
It was time to reign it it. Something had to change.
So I’m watching portion sizes. Staying away from mindless snacks and curbing the sugar which has been a little over the top. It’s so very true, you can’t out work a bad diet.
You’re probably wondering…what does this have to do with the title of the post?
After having a major craving for something sweet and chocolatey over the weekend, rather than grabbing a handful of dark chocolate chips (followed by another) I ended up in the kitchen experimenting. I wanted to come up with a snack/energy bar that didn’t have any added sugar, was full of real food but still gave me a chocolate fix. I love dates for their natural sweetness so I built on from there. (I ended up adapting from THIS recipe).
I give you Chocolate Coconut Energy Bars!
- 1½ cups dates
- 2 cups almond meal
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup unsweetened dried coconut
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- Soak dates in warm water for approximately 2 hours.
- Drain dates and place in a food processor with almond meal, coco powder, dried coconut, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sea salt.
- Blend till mixture begins to clump together.
- Place mixture in a parchment lined baking pan (8x8).
- Spread out evenly.
- Place in freezer for 3 hours.
- Slice into 12 bars.
The result? Ooeey gooey chocolate yumminess! An added bonus is that theses are no bake and are cold. Perfect for the hot, humid summer days when turning on the oven is not even an option.
Enjoy!
Side note: I have my first physical therapy appointment for my foot/ankle today. Fingers crossed we get to the bottom of this mysterious inflammation and correct it.
How do you reign yourself in after over indulging?
Sweet or salty? What do you crave more of?
Ooh – I did this – I carried on eating what I normally did when I was injured/not running, and I’m sure my waist has grown a couple of inches! I’m sure (well, hoping anyway!) it will disappear now I’m back running. Then I can try your delicious sounding Chocolate Coconut Energy Bars!
Sherry recently posted..Preventing my ITB Problem
Those look amazing! Want now. BTW, where do you find unsweetened coconut? I can’t seem to find it anywhere.
I know exactly what you are saying about getting caught up with too much food and then having to fix that post training. I always joke that doing an Ironman messed me up for life!
misszippy1 recently posted..Vacation training truths
I usually buy Woodstock Farms brand from my local grocery store (Hannaford) or a health food store. Trader Joe’s might have it but I’ve never checked.
IM SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO
Sooooooooo SALTY.
Id love these ๐
Miz recently posted..*I* am Egglandโs Best.
Ooh, these look perfect! I have the same problem after marathon training- you get so used to eating whatever you want and large portions, it’s hard for the appetite to adjust back!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..Monthly Sugar Detox Challenge
Thanks for sharing this recipe – these look great. I love no-bake dessert options!
I definitely crave both sweet and salty snacks so I really need to watch my portions ๐ When I’m training a lot I tend to lean more towards saltier foods though, and just small portions of dark chocolate to get my sweet fix.
Gina Bhawalkar recently posted..Movie Review: Town of Runners
Yum, coconut anything makes me super happy! I’ll have some coconut flour recipes up this week too!
Kat recently posted..The NASM CPT Program & Exam Day!
Oooh, I love that these don’t have any added sugar!
egb @ Running on E recently posted..The Plan
Can’t wait to make these! Thanks for sharing!!
I’m guilty of the same thing….only I have been overindulging after being totally sidelined from an injury. I’ve been punishing myself with food, at a time when I should really be watching myself, since I was unable to do any physical activity.
The good news is, now that I am back to working out, and slowly running again (yay!), my healthy appetite has returned, and I find it really easy to eat better.
These sound great! Definitely going to give them a try ๐
Oh man! I can’t wait to try these. We love homemade energy bars!
RunWiki recently posted..Cherry Chocolate Cereal Mix
Sweet & Salty! ๐
Pinning this recipe for later making!
Kierston @candyfit recently posted..#WIAW: Flow Ridin’…
How do you come up with these? This looks really good. I think I’ll have to try.
Have to admit that I’m looking forward to the eat-whatever-you-want benefit of marathon training over the next few months! Those bars look AMAZING!! You should package and sell them. Put me down for your first order!
Nicole @ Work in Sweats Mama recently posted..Why Itโs Tough for WAHMs to Make New Friends
Chocolate & coconut? 2 of my favorite food groups! ๐
I am a sweet AND salty girl. For some reason, I will crave one and then the other right after!
Maureen recently posted..What Is It That You’re Looking For?
Definitely more salty than sweet. I’m not really a chocolate person or care about candy and cake. Cookies….now that might be different.
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Holy Humidity Running Man
Yum, yum, yum. These look right up my alley!
I’m a sweet girl through and through!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted..WIAW #88: Copy Cat Veggie Pizza
These look delicious- right up my alley. It is such a hard transition post-training but it sounds like you are on the right track. Hope your ankle feels better!
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats recently posted..Vacation Workout
LOVE those water bottles. Mine should say: I DOMINATE THE ELLIPTICAL! I MAKE IT MY BI***! LOL!!
GiGi Eats Celebrities recently posted..Gwyneth Paltrow is Utterly Scrumptious
My mileage has dropped also, and I just had my lightbulb moment as to where the weight was coming from. I’m a total salt freak…chips, chips, chips!!
AmyC recently posted..Swagtastic Virtual 10K Recap
Thanks for the recipe! I hope the appointment went well.
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers recently posted..WIAW After Vacation
#1 those look super yummy and #2 I totally need to get that water bottle!!
Katie @ running4cupcakes recently posted..DIY Toddler Toy
And they’re VEGAN! Whoopee!!!! They look amazing. I hope your PT appointment went well and you’re on the road to recovery.
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted..Hรผma Gel: Natural Energy. Product Review
I force myself to drink lots of water after over indulging… it definitely helps. Those bars look amazing and I love that they are Vegan, although I am not vegan my SIL is and we have been cooking for her a lot lately since she just had baby #2.
Laura @losingrace recently posted..Testing, Testing, Allergy Failure Ahead.
The brownies look so good except for the coconut ๐
The lethargic kind of yuck feeling is the kick in the pants I usually need to getting back on track with eating.
I’m sure I read about it but can’t remember. What problems are you having with your foot? I have an annoying “feeling” in my heal that I’m a little worried about and it doesn’t quite fit anything specific symptom wise.
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness recently posted..Runners, Stop Stretching!
My foot pain occurs when I run, do plyometrics or have been standing for a long time. It’s on the outside and wraps around my ankle. I don’t really call it pain but more of an ache. The pain can’t be reproduced at all by pushing anywhere. Very weird.
I wonder if I could totally sneak these to the husband or if he would realize there were dates in them? I hope your appointment went well!
YUM! Those look delicious!! Have to make those.
I hope that PT went well yesterday and that you’re back to running soon.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Real
These look so good! Love that fact that they include some of my favorite things.
Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More recently posted..Water Fight
these sound a lot like my vega bars, so I am positive I’ll love these!! You are so right about post marathon training and eating! ๐
Amanda @runtothefinish recently posted..Sugar Detox Diary Day 2 and 3: Emotional Cravings
you trained for a marathon on only 40 miles a week?
Sorry to hear about the inflammation – although selfishly as I’m injured and not running right now it feels good to know I’m not the only one having running withdrawals and forgetting to eat better. Is it just me or is it easier to eat better when I’m active and harder to eat right when I’m not able to run and feeling sorry for myself!?
Anyway, I love the recipe! Just can’t forget sugar is sugar. Even though dates have natural sugar it’s still a TON OF SUGAR. Still have to consume with caution.
Running Hutch recently posted..RTY: July Sweat Challenge
No doubt – sugar is sugar even if it comes in natural form. All things in moderation is my way of living!
These look delicious!!! I love anything with dates! ๐
Ari @ Ari’s Menu recently posted..Drink & Dish: Orange Creamsicle Cookies
The chocolate coconut energy bars look awesome! I’ve never ventured into making my own bars, but these might make me change my mind. I’m tired of scrutinizing the ingredients of all of the bars at the supermarket to find the ones with the least amount of sugar and chemicals within. I’m going to give your recipe a try, although I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen dates around my area at the stores.
These sound delicious!! Do you have any suggestions on what to use in place of the almond meal for those with nut allergies?
Coconut flour (if not allergic) or oat flour maybe?
What is the nutritional information? Calories?
Sorry I don’t know the caloric count. You could probably plug the ingredients into an app to find out.
FYI: It’s 300 calories per serving.