Healthy Energy Balls

Wow! Yesterday was a complete fail. I had two healthy posts to write about and both of them had to chill in the fridge for a few hours which didn't leave me enough time to post them yesterday :( But without fail today...I will get them up!

But lets start the day off with some super yummy, healthy energy balls. There is no baking or cooking involved. Just some pouring and mixing!

1. Measure out your oats, coconut flakes, peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, chia seeds, and chocolate chips and pour them all in the same bowl.

2. With the best kitchen tool in your house, your hands, mix all the ingredients together until thoroughly mixed.

3. Cover and let chill in the fridge for an hour. Once chilled, roll them into little balls. If you want to serve these to younger children, 1/2" in diameter will work perfectly, or for adults, 1" in diameter. Keep them refrigerated in an airtight container and they will last up to a week! If they can even make it that long.

These are great for a pre or post workout snack, breakfast, or just an in between meals snack. They will keep you full longer and give you tons of energy!


Prep time: 15 minutes    
Cook time: 0 minutes    
Servings: about 2 dozen

Ingredients:

1 cup of dry oats (oatmeal)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup)
2/3 cup coconut flakes (soft or toasted)
1 tbsp. chia seeds
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 cup flaxseed or wheat germ (optional)


Nutritional Facts: 6 balls

Calories: 225
Calories from fat: 118
Sodium:185 mg. 7%
Sugar: 9 g.

• You can substitute anything for these ingredients to even make it healthier!
• I am sure there is a healthier brand of oatmeal, peanut butter, and coconut flakes other than the ones that I showed I used... but lets be honest. If you have kids and run on a tight budget, then you already have these ingredients right in your pantry and don't want to make a special trip to the health store to buy special ingredients.
• I do recommend the raw honey that I used though! It is simply amazing and tastes so much richer than honey bought with added ingredients in it. Pure 100% honey is the way to go. 
• Other ingredients you can include are:
• chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds, and walnuts)
• dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, apricots, cherries)