Flax Seeds...make wonderful energy!

Tis the time of year for...

 Running...

 and backpacking!

And with these two events, 

it means we need GOOD energy snacks!

I have been seeing Energy Ball recipes all over Pinterest and I decided to tweak the recipe to things we had on hand and I can honestly say my family is LOVING these! 

We have been making them weekly for the past month so Jade has plenty of good energy snacks for his running practices for Track

(I've loved them on my early morning runs as well!)

Also, they have been wonderful to add to lunches instead of sending cookies for a treat.

  I actually like them much better than my homemade granola bars...they are more "hearty" and not as sweet...

 and they go together SO quickly and you don't have to bake them...

just mix basic ingredients together, 

let chill 45 minutes to an hour, 

roll into balls and keep chilled until ready to serve.

 BTW...I was given some "mini- chocolate chips" from one of my good friends and the first batch I added in some of those...

 However, I just like taking my 60% Cacao Dark Chocolate Chips and breaking them into chunks to add in instead. 

 What I love about these energy balls
 is the ground Flax Seeds. 

I always try to add ground flax seeds to many of my baked goods, because flax seeds are high in 
 Fiber, Phytochemicals
AND Omega-3 Fatty Acids...
This energy ball recipe uses 1/2 cup of them.  

 I just buy whole flax seeds in bulk and then I grind them with a coffee grinder and store them in my fridge.  

Energy Balls

1 cup rolled oats (OLD fashioned, NOT quick)

1/2 cup peanut butter (or almond butter)

1/3 cup RAW honey

1/2 cup ground flax seeds

1/3 cup unsweetened coconut

1/3 cup raw sunflower seeds (unsalted)

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, OR, dark chocolate chunks
1-2 Tbsp. Chia Seeds

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

Mix altogether and refrigerate 45 minutes to an hour

Roll into small balls and keep refrigerated...

BTW....I'm sure you could add in whatever other things you would like...the sky is the limit!  I bet dried fruit or different nuts would be yummy as well!

 Enjoy 2 balls for energy before or after running

Perfect for kiddos to take in their lunches instead of cookies for a treat
OR, for an after school snack,

OR, the perfect thing to bring instead of granola bars 

for energy when hiking or backpacking!

Happy running, hiking and

backpacking energy to all of you!