Favorite energy goodies for rides! Need I say more?
Chewy Fruit and Oatmeal Bars
From the back of a container of Quaker Oats oatmeal. You can use any dried fruit, and even chocolate chips and/or nuts (though the latter would add a bit more fat). Either way, they’re a tasty, nutritious energy snack.
(2 dozen bars)
* 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1 8-oz. container vanilla or plain low-fat yogurt
* 2 egg whites, lightly beaten
* 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
* 2 Tbsp. fat-free milk
* 2 tsp. vanilla
* 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 tsp. baking soda
* 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
* 1/2 tsp. salt (optional)
* 3 cups oatmeal (quick or old-fashioned, uncooked)
* 1 cup diced dried mixed fruit, raisins, or dried cranberries
Heat oven to 350F. In large bowl, combine sugars, yogurt, egg whites, oil, milk, and vanilla; mix well.
In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; mix well. Add to yogurt mixture; mix well. Stir in oats and fruit (and nuts and chips if you choose to use them).
Spread dough onto bottom of ungreased 13×9-inch baking pan.
Bake 28-32 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely on wire rack. Cut into bars. Store tightly covered.
Cocoa-Banana Shake
We created this cool and delicious recovery drink after a long hot ride one weekend. As I was preparing to peel a banana for each of us, Jim suggested making a shake instead. Wow! Not only was it very tasty, but I felt renewed and refreshed almost right away.
(Serves about 2)
* 2 large ripe bananas
* 2 heaping Tbsp. Ghirardelli Sweet Ground Chocolate and Cocoa (see note)
* 2 heaping Tbsp. peanut butter
* 3/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt (approx.)
* 1 cup milk (approx.)
* Sugar to taste (see note)
Put all ingredients in a blender and mix until well blended. Add more or less milk to adjust the consistency if you like it thicker or thinner. Pour into a glass, and enjoy!
*Note: If you can’t find this Ghirardelli mix, try a mix of plain cocoa powder and regular sugar to taste. If the bananas are very ripe and sweet, less sugar may be needed. Experiment until you’re happy!
More to come!
