Energy Bites

Well, I’ve had the draft of this post open on my computer for a few days now, trying to think of a clever way to introduce these Energy Bites. It’s not that they’re boring, they’re just… simple. Like Mother Teresa. Simple, but full of goodness.

 

So let me just tell you a little bit about their goodness. Most of the goodness in the Energy Bites comes from flaxseeds. Two tablespoons of ground flaxseeds provide a whopping %133 of your daily value of omega-3 fatty acids! They’re actually a richer source of omega-3s than salmon. Who knew? Those omega-3s help reduce inflammation in your body, lower the amount of fats flowing through your bloodstream, prevent the growth of cancer cells, and improve your body’s ability to respond to insulin. Cool, huh?

Flaxseeds also have tons of lignans, which are estrogen-like chemical compounds in plants that also have antioxidant protection qualities, and they’re linked to lower cancer rates. The other unique benefit of flaxseeds is mucilage, a “water-soluble, gel-forming fiber that can provide special support to the intestinal tract” (WHFoods). I would guess this is what makes ground flaxseed form a gel when soaked in water, and it’s probably why the flaxseed-water gel can be substituted for eggs in baking.

Sorry, enough about flaxseeds. These Energy Bites have lots of other cool ingredients, too. Peanut butter makes everything better, and it provides lots of protein and antioxidants. Honey does more than just sweeten this recipe– After researching how to battle his annoying allergies, my husband found that eating local raw honey is a great weapon against allergens. And with its ability to raise antioxidant levels, as WHFoods says it, “A spoonful a day keeps free radicals at bay.” 🙂 I love that.

Of course, chocolate is a necessary ingredient. 🙂 I used milk chocolate, but you could use a healthier chocolate, such as dark chocolate, or even cacao nibs to be extra healthy.

These are SO easy to make, so head to your kitchen now!

Ingredients:
(adapted from Smashed Peas and Carrots)

• 1 c. oatmeal
• 1/2 c. peanut butter (preferably homemade)
• 1/3 c. honey
• 1/2 c. ground flaxseed or flax meal
• 1/2 c. mini chocolate chips or roughly chopped regular chips (I used milk chocolate, but any kind is fine.)
• 1/4 c. white chocolate chips, roughly chopped
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 tsp. almond extract
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• dash nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Throw all the ingredients in a medium bowl, and mix them together until completely incorporated. Let the dough chill in the fridge for about thirty minutes. (I’ve skipped the refrigeration when in a hurry, and they turned out fine; I just had to add a touch more flax meal to make it thicker to roll into balls.)
2. Roll into bite-sized balls, and enjoy! Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Makes about 20 bites.

A few of these Energy Bites with an apple or some other fruit makes a perfect quick lunch. I took them to school last year when I didn’t have a lunch break between classes, and they were so filling and satisfying! Last week, I was trying to convince Rob to eat breakfast in the morning, but since he’s never hungry in the morning, he asked me to make him these to take to work. Good compromise. 🙂 So they’re a great breakfast, an easy lunch, and a delicious snack, perfect for on-the-go!

What’s your favorite on-the-go breakfast/lunch/snack?

© Milk & Cereal. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe.

Advertisement