Power Ball Bites

Does anyone else feel the 3:00 afternoon slump every. single. day? Around 3:00, you can find me slouching in my chair and using my fingers to keep my eyelids from drooping. In the past, I've built a dependency on our neighbor, Sodalicious, for a mid-afternoon pick me up. How many of us have resorted to running down to the vending machine to grab a small treat or a drink? I found a delicious solution that will help keep your blood sugar a little bit more stable so you don't feel that afternoon after burn.

Picture and recipe from: http://www.healthy-liv.com/no-bake-4-ingredient-peanut-butter-energy-bites/

Peanut Butter Chocolate Energy Bites:
Ingredients:
1 3/4 C. old-fashioned oats
3/4 C. peanut butter (or any other nut butter)*
1/3 C. honey
1/3 C. dark chocolate chips
Optional: 1/4 C. wheat bran, flax seeds, chia seeds (I've used flax seeds and chia seeds and can never really tell they're in there. The seeds give the bites a nice crunch)

1. In a mixing bowl, dump all of the ingredients in and stir together
2. Depending on the consistency, add a bit more oats or honey to help things bind together
3. Use a tablespoon to scoop out the little bites and place them on a lined cookie sheet (so you don't have to wash the cookie sheet!!)
4. Refrigerate for about an hour and store in a zip baggy or a storage container.

Tips:

• I like to grind up the seeds before adding them in the bowl.
• I also like to chop up the chocolate chips so they're more evenly dispersed. 

This recipe should make about 24 bites and you can refrigerate them for up to 3 weeks or freeze for up to 6 months. I love this recipe because: no baking in this summer heat, eating one or two is a healthy snack, it's only 4 ingredients and takes about 5 minutes to make, and they last for three weeks! Move over Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, hello healthy substitute!

Nutrition info per power ball:
Calories: 94
Fat: 4.5 g
Protein: 3 g
Carbs: 10.75 g

• Sugar: 5.3 g
• Fiber: 1.3 g

Make this recipe healthier by adding the chia and flax seeds!

Recipe adapted from www.healthy-liv.com