power balls – boost your energy

Our grandson is now five weeks old and what a cutie-pie he is!  My daughter is nursing and spoke to me about lactation cookies.  Um, what?  I had never heard of such a thing although admittedly it has been 29 years since I last had a baby (hehe!).  While we were out one day at a baby shop, she pointed out the cookies.  I was intrigued. I looked at the ingredients and felt a homemade version would be much better.  No additives or sulfates.  I made these power balls for Laura to enjoy but they’re also a good pick-me-up for when you are feeling a bit lethargic.  So, moms beware as others in your family just might pinch a few!  Once you’ve made these power balls, change up the recipe a tad by adding a tablespoon of shredded coconut or ground flaxseed.

Make the balls in manageable bite-size pieces.  If you are a nursing mom, consider upping your intake of oats, barley, flaxseed, fennel, brewer’s yeast as this helps increase the milk supply.  If you’re looking for a liquid version of a pick-me-up, check out these four, easy-to-make smoothie recipes.

you will need

1 cup rolled oats
10 Medjool dates
1/3 cup nutritional yeast
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup almond milk (can use regular milk)
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips, roughly chopped

method

Process dates in a food processor and pulse to make a thick paste. Add oats and pulse to combine. Place date mixture into a bowl. Stir in nutritional yeast and peanut butter. Then add almond milk and honey. Stir. Add chocolate and stir. Using a tablespoon, scoop, and roll into 1-inch balls. Place on the parchment-lined baking tray and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Store in a covered container in the fridge.

the culinary chase’s note:

These will keep one to two weeks in the fridge. Enjoy!