I was recently contacted by My Protein to try and review a few of their products. Along with this, I was asked to write an article for their blog. You can check that out here: Three Ways to Incorporate Strength Training for Runners.
In general, I try to stick to natural foods, but I do believe there is a place for protein powders in an otherwise well-rounded diet. I tend to make smoothies immediately after a long run, and use protein powder to start rebuilding the muscles that were broken down during my workout. When I began browsing the website, I was a bit overwhelmed, so I asked for a few recommended products that were mostly all-natural.
I was sent the Impact Whey Protein Powder (unflavored), Instant Oats (unflavored), and Peanut Butter.
I immediately started using the protein powder in my smoothies and was happy that I didn’t notice it in there! (I don’t particularly like the taste of protein powder, so I would rather it be very mild without any strong flavors).
I also used the peanut butter in my smoothies and for other snacks. Peanuts are the only ingredient, and it tasted delicious…I may have eaten some by the spoonful….
I wanted to try making a recipe that used these ingredients (including the oat flour, which I hadn’t tried yet), and was thinking of something along the lines of no-bake peanut butter protein bars. So I turned to Pinterest, and found this recipe for Quick ‘n Easy No-Bake Protein Bars from Oh She Glows.
I modified the recipe by using almond flour instead of rice crisp cereal, and I didn’t need to make the oat flour because I just used the instant oats from My Protein.
I had made plenty of melted chocolate, so instead of just drizzling it moderately I coated the whole thing with a nice layer of chocolate. Best idea ever- they legit taste like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. But in bar form.
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I don’t even feel a little bit bad about eating these for breakfast. However, just be warned that they are addicting!
How would you use these products?
Do you like “no bake” recipes?
Do you use protein powder?
I’m linking up with Tina and Deborah for Meatless Monday and Jill for Fitness Friday!
Disclaimer: I received these products for free in exchange for a review and was no compensated for this post- all opinions are my own.
I never liked or used protein powder before finding Skoop and then I became hooked! It’s by far my favorite and definitely has a regular spot in my diet. I love to bake with it too 🙂
I really liked Scoop but I hate to spend so much on shipping:( I have found that’s the case with a lot of good protein powders.
Oh my Lisa I’m starving and craving these right now! I’m going to try them later with all the protein powder I have that I never know what to do with!
I hope you like them! I will be making more this weekend:)
I go through phases of using shakes/smoothies. Right now I’m in a breakfast cookie phase but I could easily slip into a chocolate peanut butter protein bar phase – looks yummy!
Oh I love breakfast cookies too! Another food that pairs well with a smoothie:)
You can’t go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter! Looks yummy 🙂
My thoughts exactly!
They sent me 2 lbs of chocolate protein powder! Now I gotta figure out what to do with it! And thank you for the reminder, I need to write something for their blog!
I was really surprised at how big all of these products are! It’s a good thing I like them:) I don’t go through protein powder too quickly but it’s nice to always have it on hand. I’m curious to hear how you like the chocolate!
I think I rely on protein powder a little too much sinceI am not a huge meat eater. But, I do love baking/no baking with my protein powder. These do sound delicious, and I bet they do taste like a reese’s!
It’s definitely a good option for those who don’t eat meat! And I’m sure its nice to change things up once in a while:)
Those bars look pretty amazing! I love no bake recipes because they are so fast and easy to throw together! They are also usually pretty moist depending on the recipe which I love.
I use protein powder only if I don’t have the time/ingredients to make a proper post-workout or run meal with a good amount of protein. I also usually crave a nice cold smoothie after a long run, so I throw some protein powder in there. Usually half a scoop though, I find the scoops are HUGE and using half a scoop makes it last a little longer.
The scoops usually are really big! I usually add 1/2 a scoop too, unless it’s going to be my whole meal.
Those peanut butter bars look AMAZING
Thanks!
I love no bake recipes! Thank you for sharing this!
No problem! I have been loving no-bake recipes as well.
Looks like we both have chocolate and peanut butter on the brain today! These look so tasty – like healthy peanut butter cups!
I think that I always have chocolate and PB on the brain:)
Oh my gosh. It’s like dessert for breakfast. Or for a snack. I can totally stand behind this 🙂 Love no bake recipes – especially in the summer. I use protein powder (Vega – so I get some greens) in my smoothies in the morning. Hope you have a fabulous weekend!
I’ve never tried Vega but I have heard that’s a good one too!
Great review and what a tasty looking recipe! I haven’t gotten into protein powder, I think I need to do a lot more research!
As I have said, I usually try to get my protein from natural sources, but its a good option when you need something quick! I also try to avoid the brands with a ton of weird ingredients!
I’m not a fan of protein powders but I force myself to put them into smoothies after a really tough run. The one I have right now is the Vega Performance protein. It’s okay, nothing special. I wouldn’t say it’s yummy or anything, that’s for sure. And I have to be really thirsty to chug it back.
As I said I don’t really eat them for the taste- for me its better if I don’t notice them! I just think its important to get protein in after a workout and powders are an easy way to do that.
Love no bake products!
I try to stick to mostly natural ingredients, but I like to use some protein powder sometimes too.
It definitely comes in handy when there’s no time to cook a full meal:)
I use protein powder at least once a day. Every day. Skoop-a-day in my smoothie or oatmeal.
Have an amazing weekend Lisa! And thank you so much for your continued support of Fitness Friday. It’s so appreciated.
Protein powder is a great addition to smoothies and oatmeal! I have tried Skoop also and really like it! Thanks for hosting the link-up:)
Those bars look so good! I love that you got oat flour too. I always have oats on had, but for some reason it seems like SO much effort to grind them into flour myself.
I know, I hate having to clean out another appliance when I am baking!
I don’t use protein powders, everyone I have tried makes my stomach upset. I just try to get my protein from what I can actually see and know what it is. But if it works for some people that is great. “I would if I could” have a great weekend!!!!
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That’s unfortunate but it sounds like you are making it work for you! I think its better to be aware of what our bodies can and can’t tolerate. Enjoy your weekend too!
I’m drooling over those bars. I am out of control with peanut butter, so this sounds right up my alley!
You would love them!
Yum! That looks really good! I used to use protein powder in my daily smoothies but now I tend to go for plant proteins.
I’ve tried some plant proteins lately as well! A good change, I think.
Oh yum. I do use protein powder and I love making snacks like this with it! I just made some yummy almond butter “fudge” and it was soooo good!
Ooh that sounds really delicious!!
These look delicious! Anything chocolate is a win for me, and especially when you add peanut butter….yes please! Thanks for sharing, and thanks for linking up today 🙂 I agree with the whole food approach but sometimes protein powders are needed, you are right 🙂
I don’t think you can go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter:)
Anything with pnb and choc chips is a win for me! Thanks so much for linking up with us today for meatless Monday
It’s definitely a favorite combo of mine!
I love these bars. I will so try them!
I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
Um those totally look like homemade Reese’s! So I’m definitely down haha. I love chocolate protein powder. I’ve tried a bunch but I always come back to whey — it just tastes the best and I’m most likely to stick with it and not waste a whole container of it.
Agreed- I have hemp protein powder which I use once in a while but I always go back to the whey.
Yum, I’m all about healthy recipes that taste like dessert! Chocolate + PB is always a winner in my book. Yup, I use protein powder all the time… I’m like you, I like proteins and products that have short ingredient lists and are as natural as possible, but I like it to supplement my protein intake and sneak into my smoothies, pancake batters and cereal.
Yep! All great ideas! Sometimes I just don’t want eggs or meat for breakfast and protein powder make it much easier to get some protein at that meal.