Peanut Butter Energy Balls
I can’t express how happy I am it’s Friday.
It’s not that it was a bad week, it’s just been a crazy week. And lack of sleep + non stop activity means that this girl is ready for the weekend.
I mentioned going to the Whole Foods cooking demo on Monday but what I didn’t tell you was that I think I discovered my new favorite snack.
Jesse (the chef) called them “Heady Goo Balls” which was actually a very accurate name for them, I think. You can see the original recipe on Stephanie’s blog, and while you’re over there, please wish her a happy birthday 🙂
So when I decided to make my own, I made a few revisions, because I was never much of a rule follower. Mine are kind of a peanut butter and chocolate version. This is what went into mine:
Peanut Butter Energy Balls
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup chopped dates
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup wheat bran
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 package of Amazing grass (4 grams ish)
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup bee pollen
- Shredded coconut (as much as you need for coating)
I love recipes like these because you can basically substitute until your heart is content. They sort of taste like brownies. (It’s not like, oh my gosh I just bit into a brownie, but its like a similar consistency and flavor.) AND they’re like, loaded with energy. Seriously. I ate some during my 3pm slump and it carried me all the way until dinner! I think I’m in love.
The one thing I want to point out is the bee pollen. Have you ever had it? I hadn’t, until Monday. Thankfully, Ellwood Thompson, the local natural foods store, carries it! It’s sweet, but apparently it’s really really good for you.
The recipe makes about 20 balls and each ball has about 60 calories, 2g fiber and 2g protein, plus a crap ton of vitamins. Yep, that’s how I roll.
I’m going to pack a few of these in my work bag, to replace the Fiber One bars I’ve been eating. If you just look at calorie, fiber and protein, it would end up being about the same. The difference is, these babies are allllllll natural, and packed with good-for-me ingredients. I think there’s something to be said for that, no?
And now I’m looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend.
What’s the strangest ingredient you’ve tried in the past year?
I use bee pollen often. It tastes so yucky by itself (my mom calls it bee poop). But I like the idea of adding it to things where the taste gets covered up a little!
I use many strange ingredients…and have spent way too much money on specialty grocery items and superfoods. Blue green algae might be the weirdest thing lately!
Yay for Friday!!!
you’re tagged!!
http://freckledfoodie.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/taggedddddd/
haha love it, and love the name!!! I wish I could come up with cute recipe names 🙂
Happy Friday to you too! Happy Friday dance!
these sound so good!
Healthy brownie like snack?! I’m down! I’ve tried tons of weird things this past year, but the one that always gets people is nutritional yeast. Oh well, I love it and that’s what matters!
Hahaha I love the last comment about G-love and his friend being weirded out – totally made me lol at my desk! I need to make these asap…my stash of leftovers just ran out!!!
I’m so sad right now, because I want to pack some for my afternoon snack and I left them in the fridge 🙁
Still sad to miss this demo. Thanks for the peanut butter-infused recipe. [I mean that sarcastically of course…]
Good thing we have a February meet up to look forward to!
Oh, and I meant sarcasm for the second sentence. Not the first.
Forgive me. It’s Friday. My brain doesn’t work.
Hahaha not gonna lie, I read it like 3 times and I was so confused 😉
mmm great recipe for a quick and healthy treat! I suppose the weirdest ingredient I have tried is coconut oil… odd for me!
these goo balls looks sooo delicious!
happy friday 🙂
Oh my gosh I need these in my life ASAP 😀 They sound like my kinda treat!