A healthy alternative to 5 hour energy!

Happy Monday! I can not believe we only have 2 weeks left until Thanksgiving break! This semester is flying by!! When I started blogging, I came across this great recipe for Energy Balls-- since I know everyone will be cramming and wanting a little extra snack... these are something healthy and great to keep around (and super yummy!) 

No Bake Energy Bites:

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)

1/3 cup honey

1 cup coconut flakes

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1/2 cup mini dark chocolate chips (or whatever you have on hand)

1 tsp vanilla

** Note: I have made these twice and the first time I used creamy peanut butter compared with the second go-around which was crunchy. I personally liked the creamy better and the consistency was better for the balls-- they seemed to hold together better. But, its totally up to you and your taste preferences. Also, a friend of mine substituted the coconut for cocoa powder... this will make the balls more of a chocolately (<-- is that a word?? haha it is for me!!) ball (some people are sensitive to coconut!). 

Take all the ingredients and stir until evenly mixed. Cover the bowl and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes-1 hour. When it has chilled, take them out and roll them into whatever size ball you'd like! Once you eat one, you won't be able to stop! Enjoy!

MMMMM, final product!

Why is dark Chocolate good for me?
Not all chocolate is created equal. Dark chocolate contains a lot more cocoa than other forms of chocolate. And standard chocolate manufacturing destroys up to half of the flavoniods. When buying dark chocolate, look for 72% or higher, this means its good to go!! When you eat milk chocolate, this will raise cholesterol because of the dairy in it, but dark chocolate has been proven not to raise your cholesterol when eaten. This is because dark chocolate contains Epicatechin. Epicatechin is a particularly active member of a group of compounds called plant flavoniods. Flavonoids keep cholesterol from gathering in blood vessels, reduce the risk of blood clots, and slow down the immune responses that lead to clogged arteries. Pretty awesome dessert if you ask me!


Flaxseed? Whats That?
Flaxseed is very rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which play a huge role in the anti-infammatory process. They produce a substance known as a prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are the molecules that are responsible for the anti-inflammatory response. Omega-3 fats can help reduce the inflammation that is a significant factor in conditions such as asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine headaches, and osteoporosis. Omega-3 fatty acids also reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing the risk of clotting factors in your arteries. You can slip this in just about anything in your diet-- Soups, salads, baked goods, and yogurt. Yay for flax seed!

Have a wonderful week !!