Homemade “Convenience Food” Breakfast – Power Balls

My friend & coworker Amy introduced me to these amazing little things called Power Balls that have revolutionized my breakfast life. I am so picky in the morning that something has to be really enticing (read: containing chocolate) for me to not just skip breakfast, which is my inclination even though I know that isn't a wise choice. Since I gave up commercial breakfast bars I have tried all sorts of healthy muffin recipes, homemade granola, bars, etc. but none were amazing enough for me to stick with for more than a few weeks. Enter Power Balls. They are delicious, quick to make, can be prepared in bulk and stored, and are convenient to eat on-the-go. While there are many Power Ball recipe versions floating around in cyberspace, Amy's has the most flavors that I like. Here it is:

Power Balls Recipe
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup honey (I've mixed in agave nectar, too)
3 cups (non-instant) oats
½ cup flaxseed (I've had them with both ground and whole flax seed)
½ cup chocolate chips or white chocolate chips
½ cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots, dates, etc.)
½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc)

Mix peanut butter and honey until smooth. Gradually add in oats and flaxseed, then fold in the other ingredients. The Kitchen Aid works great for this. Then roll into ping-pong ball sized balls. Store them in the refrigerator or freezer. You can switch up the add-ins, just keep the total amount to 1 ½ cups. If you add more, the balls won't hold together. Also, beware of cutting down the honey. The honey really keeps it all stuck together.

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I make one or two batches at a time and then freeze all that I won't eat in a week. They freeze really well—I use lidded Pyrex. They also travel well if you can keep them in a container with a structure (hard plastic or glass).

The ones Amy made for me had white chocolate chips, craisins, and walnuts and were so amazing! I've been making them with semi-sweet chocolate chips, dried cranberries, whole grain flax seed, and a mix of almonds and walnuts since both have such great, different nutritional benefits. Read about almonds here and omega-3-rich walnuts here.

Yes—these are sweet and contain chocolate chips—but they also have healthful ingredients. Hopefully my new nutritionist will agree! I meet with her next Monday to work on a well-balanced diet with a focus on local foods and to develop ways to up my fruit and veggie consumption. I am so excited!