Chocolate + Peanut Butter snack Bites

I don't know about you, but I am a snack person. I snack. BIG TIME. I guess I should be thankful that I have a pretty fast metabolism, but that isn't always so helpful when I've found myself on the train completely unprepared with five loooong stops to go before I get to my destination. Hangry Sydney is not a side that I like for people to see, so I've been more conscious this year about planning accordingly, snack-wise.

The year is 2018, and this girl is on a mission to only consume healthy(ish) snacks. They've gotta taste good, but they also need to make me feel good after I've stuffed my face, ya know? And if they have chocolate, well, that's an added bonus.

If you're a person who enjoys putting your peanut butter cups in the freezer for a little bit of crunch, followed by the slow-building sweetness of peanut butter balanced with semi-sweet chocolate, then these energy bites are for you. The chocolate and peanut butter levels are abundant in these lil' bites, and the temperature is nice and cool, so that's the part that tastes good. Now here's for the part that makes you feel good: the added bonus of oats, CHIA SEEDS (my new fave thing!!!), ground flaxseed, and a nice hint of sea salt. Sea salt, I've always believed, is really chocolate's one true love. I make sure to honor that special bond as often as I can.

These chocolate and peanut butter bites are positively PERFECT for when you need a super quick snack, or a nibble of something sweet. They'll taste good, look good, and make you FEEL good.

Sounds good to me.

CHOCOLATE + PEANUT BUTTER SNACK BITES

What You'll Need:

• 1 cup rolled old fashioned oats
• 3 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 3 tablespoons semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

DIRECTIONS

Line one cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine oats, chia seeds, flaxseed, chocolate chips, and sea salt

In a large bowl, whisk together the honey and peanut butter until well combined.  Fold in the oat mixture with a rubber spatula and mix until all ingredients are well combined.

Using a cookie dough scoop, or a 1 tablespoon measuring spoon, scoop up 1-inch balls. Gently roll each ball between the palms of your hands until perfectly round.

Place finished balls in rows on the cookie sheet until all the balls have been formed.

Freeze for one hour.

To store: Chocolate and Peanut Butter Energy Bites can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one week.

SOURCE: Adapted from Cooking Light

Vanilla Almonds

You know those special candied almonds you find at farmer's markets or fairs in the super fancy packaging that you love, but never really think you could make yourself? Well, this is the post that is going to prove that theory wrong. Six ingredients are all you need to make these addictive nuts, and I'm fairly certain you've got them in your pantry right now!

You can give these almonds as a gift, eat them between meals, or treat them as a great after dinner dessert. Whichever way you go, one thing is for certain: it is entirely impossible to eat just one. Good thing this recipe makes lots and lots of almonds!

What You'll Need:

• 1 egg white, beaten
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 4 cups whole almonds
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

Beat the egg white and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Once combined, add the almonds and stir around, making sure each almond is coated.

In another smaller bowl, combine the sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Once combined, add to the almonds and stir around.

Place almond mixture in a single layer on a greased baking sheet, or one lined with parchment paper.

Bake at 300 degrees F for about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer almonds to a sheet of wax paper to cool. Once cooled enough to touch, break into clusters.

SOURCE: Kelsey's Essentials