Aim True: Kathryn Budig’s New Book + A Homemade Protein Bar Recipe

One of our favorite wellness gurus has a new book — and finally puts an end to your search for the perfect protein bar

I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect protein bar for what feels like decades. I want something that will keep me full and satisfied, and feeling powerful, pre- and post-workout. One that’s not full of fake ingredients, no whey, no wheat, no weird sugars, no soy… it’s a tall order, and usually at least one of those criteria ends up being sacrificed when I’m standing in front of the large and looming aisle of pre-made, pre-packaged options at the grocery store. So it felt serendipitous when Free People-fave, Kathryn Budig’s, new book landed on my desk last week. Titled Aim True after the author’s personal mantra, this book is 322 pages of knowledge, encompassing all areas of life. Broken up into four sections — Love Your Body, Eat Without Fear, Nourish Your Spirit, and Discover True Balance — aimed to help you live your best, most energetic life, Aim True puts Budig at your fingertips, in all her happy, powerful, encouraging glory. Who wouldn’t want this yoga teacher and inspirational speaker as their own personal cheerleader? While some wellness gurus will tell you what you’re doing wrong and how to fix it in a one-size-fits-all approach, Budig’s aim is to help readers achieve their goals, no matter what they might be. Whether it’s to bring balance to their lives through yoga or food (or both), develop a meditation practice, or become more in-tune with themselves, Budig is there to guide the reader through every step of the way. Infused with her signature bright, bold, colorful personality, it’s hard not to feel instantly happy while flipping through the book.

Of course, my favorite section of Aim True is the one dedicated to food. Whole, fresh, natural… the recipes showcased within these pages are accessible for almost any diet and include options for vegans and omnivores alike. And upon flipping to page 146, I finally found them. Nestled between mouthwatering breakfast recipes and the most incredible-looking butternut squash mac n’ cheese (seeeeeriously), there they were: the perfect homemade protein bars (thanks Kathryn!). Filled with pure ingredients, and customizable enough where the reader could easily substitute one protein for another, or bananas for eggs to make them vegan, these protein bars were the answer to my grocery aisle prayers. I whipped up a batch at the start of this week and have not been disappointed — these perfectly-sized bars are the perfect thing to throw in my purse as an emergency snack (never leave home without one) or to fuel me up before hitting the gym. Read on for the recipe, then be sure to pre-order your copy of Aim True by Kathryn Budig.

Kathryn Budig’s Treat Yo’self Protein Bars

Makes 17 bars

Ingredients:

4 eggs

1 tbsp coconut oil

3/4 cup apple butter

1/4 cup maple syrup

2 tsp almond extract

1/2 cup coconut flour

1/2 cup vanilla protein powder

2 tbsp ground flax seeds

1 tsp sea salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

3/4 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup chia seeds

1 cup slivered almonds

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and place a silicone liner (or parchment paper) on a baking sheet. (Pro tip: use the preheating oven to lightly toast the coconut flake and almond slivers) In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, coconut oil, apple butter, maple syrup and almond extract.

Slowly whisk in the coconut flour, protein powder, ground flax seeds, salt and cinnamon. Fold in the coconut flakes, chocolate chips, chia seeds and almonds.

Grab a golf-ball-size piece of dough and roll it into a narrow log shape about 3 inches long. Pat log into rectangular shape.

Arrange the bars, evenly spaced, on the prepared sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes.