...mmm hello!

H A L F  B A K E D
N U T  + O A T  B A L L S

You know what is underrated? OATMEAL. After being pregnant and having my baby I found myself eating more oatmeal in my life now than ever before. I loved making overnight oats in the summer but since it's officially cold & wintery here I've been eating it warm.

Oatmeal is the epitome of healthy. I have been feeding my baby oatmeal as her first solid foods & you have to wonder! If it is the first thing introduced to babies it has to be full of goodness. It has tons of antioxidants, lots of fiber, is a good source of carbs, protein/ fats, can help lower cholesterol levels, and the list goes on. Oatmeal also helps with milk production- which was why I started making these little balls! 

These oat balls can be found all over Pinterest. The basic foundation you need: oats, some honey & some kind of nut butter. If you don't like almond butter try all peanut butter. I like the way both taste in these. I also add all the extra stuff in it because I like crunch, variety & more ways of sneaking in the healthy stuff.

I hope you try these out! Let me know if you do :)

Ingredients:

3 cups dry oats

½ cup coconut oil

½ cup peanut butter

½ cup almond butter 

lots of honey!

(optional)

hemp hearts

chia seeds

sprouted buckwheat + millet

ground flaxseed

vanilla extract
maca powder
goji berries

Directions:

1. Toast half the oats with coconut oil (OPTIONAL!) Usually 375° for 10 minutes is enough to brown them a bit. Plus, it makes the kitchen smell incredible like you're baking up goodies.
   
   
2. Add everything to a big mixing bowl and mix. Add what you like!
   
3. Roll into little balls- this is the fun/ annoying part. Start with clean hands! If they crumble and don’t stick add more honey or nut butter. You really have to squeeze them together to get them into balls! I use a spoon and press a bunch into my palm, then continue to add & pack more. When your hands are too sticky just rinse and start with clean hands again to make it easier to roll into balls.
   EDIT! HOLY S-COW I FOUND A TRICK! Take two layers of plastic wrap about 1ft long and scoop some mix into the middle. Wrap to make a ball & squeeze to make it nice & compact. Open up and use hands to press into a firmer ball. SO MUCH CLEANER!! 

   
   
   
   
4. Cover and stick them in the freezer for 20 minutes to chill.
5. Store in airtight container for up to 2 weeks (if they last!)

Notes:

I like the taste of it half toasted. You can do it all untoasted (hello, way easier). Also, try old fashion or steel cut oats! The quick cooking kind are small & crumbly but you can def use it too.

You can add coconut flakes, dried cranberries, goji berries, raisins, m&ms, pistachios, dates, chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, protein powders, pretty much whatever you want. Dip them in chocolate if you want! Or even add CBD oil in it?! The possibilities are endless.