I like to daydream about winning the lottery — how I would choose to spend and give away the money, and how winning wouldn’t change who I am. But alas, I’ve never purchased a lottery ticket in my life. And record Power Ball winnings pale in comparison to these little gems!
Chewy and sweet, crunchy and basically healthy, these are nuggets of nutrition that can eliminate afternoon slumps, replace breakfast when I’m running late, and even keep me from digging into the ice cream or candy at night.
If I don’t get to eat something about every 2 hours, I can end up in a puddle of dysfunctionalism. I get weepy, weak, cranky, and unable to think clearly. No one wants to be with that kind of person! But life is also incredibly busy, and too often I rush out of the house without breakfast, or work through lunchtime. That’s when I make poor food choices. And poor word choices. And poor attitude choices. You get the idea.
The foundations for this recipe came from my daughter. It’s one of those recipes to follow loosely – adjust to taste (sweet, salty, crunchy?), need (calories, extra fiber, something to chew on?), and convenience (what the heck is in the pantry???).
- Dates are loaded with potassium, magnesium, and fiber.
- Peanut butter adds a good dose of protein, as does the oatmeal.
- And because this is Minnesota, fresh maple syrup is the sweetener of choice – along with a “glug” of molasses — because I like it.
- The binder in these tasty morsels is ground chia and flax seeds. I always have this on hand – just whir the seeds in a spice grinder (or clean coffee mill). Sprinkle them on oatmeal, baked goods, and in smoothies. They also get mixed with ricotta cheese for the most incredible lasagna. Definitely multi-tasking nutritional super heroes!
- And then, because I am my mother’s daughter, there has to be CHOCOLATE. I add dark chocolate-covered organic cacao nibs, but mini chocolate chips would work in a pinch.
This darling little plate is from the set of wedding dishes chosen by my grandparents – Ebert and Rosa Duvick – in 1929. Grandma died many years before I was even born, and since Grandpa lived in Illinois, I never got to know him very well.
Power Balls – Energy on the Go
Description
Quick, easy energy to take with you wherever you go. A totally versatile recipe — use what you like or have on hand.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dates, pitted
- 1 cup gluten free oats
- 3/4 cup chunky natural peanut butter
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 3 Tbsp molasses
- 1/4 cup ground seeds (a combination of chia and flax seeds is what I always have on hand)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate covered cacao nibs, or mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Put pitted dates into a food processor, and pulse until they are chopped, then add oats and process until they are combined and crumbly
- Add peanut butter, syrup, molasses, and ground chia and flax seeds, processing until combined
- Add coconut, pecans, and chocolate, and pulse just a couple times
- Roll into balls, pressing them firmly together, then chill
- Divide into ziploc bags, if desired, and store in the refrigerator for a quick snack or treat – makes about 30 power balls
