No matter your activity level, keeping healthy snacks at hand is a habit that helps maintain a healthier lifestyle. Nuts and fruit and other nibbles available at spas I've visited recently have been delightful, but sometimes clients participating in fitness classes or outdoor activities may want on-the-go options for an extra boost. Spa directors like yourselves deserve healthy food on the run too! I recently checked out a recipe book for protein bars, Power Hungry written by Camilla Saulsbury, and have had some delicious results. Here's a fun recipe to try for wholesome, all-natural energy.
Ingredients (can double/triple to make more bars):
1/4 cup of chopped dates (roughly chopped whole fresh dates; see my note about pre-chopped below)
1/4 cup of dried cherries or dried cranberries
1/3 cup of whole pecans, almonds, or walnuts
1/8 tsp of cinnamon
1. Set out two pieces of plastic wrap for shaping and wrapping the bars.
2. Place the dates and cherries in a food processor. Pulse until processed to a paste. Transfer paste to a medium bowl (don’t clean processor).
3. Add the nuts to the processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the nuts, along with the cinnamon, to the bowl with the fruit paste. Use your fingers to knead the nuts into the paste.
4. Divide mixture in half. Place each half on each of one of the sheets of plastic wrap. Wrap the plastic around each bar and start squishing into a bar shape form, 3 and 1/2 inches long, 1 inch wide and 3/4-inch thick); press against countertop to flatten bottom side, flattening top side and ends with flat of hand. Tightly wrap the plastic around each bar and store in the refrigerator. Makes 2 bars.
For more delicious recipes straight from resort and spa chefs, check out our Radar section each month.