Fit at 40

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OK, I’ll admit it, I was one of those girls who swore up and down that keeping in good health in your 40’s was not going to be difficult. I was in great shape, so how hard could it be to just stay there?? But Lordy, Lordy, now I’m 40, and I have changed my tune. Is it possible? Yes. Is it harder? YES!  I swear, it was like the day I turned  40 some internal clock went off and everything started to shift, or shut down. Reading glasses had to be bought. Sensodine toothpaste was a must. My doctor even prescribed Estrogen cream for the nether regions! It feels like 40 has taken my body hostage and the outlook of getting it back is not good. So I say fine! Keep it! I will simply reinvent what 40 is and what my new 40 year old body should look like. I am NOT lowering my standards. I’m simply changing them.  And changing how I reach my goals. My first tip of the 40’s: no bake energy bites! I have a sweet tooth that must be met. Bad things happen when I’m deprived of good food! So these little balls of goodness are good for you and totally take care of my sweet tooth. I wish I could say I thought up this recipe but I’m more than happy to eat it! I make them once a week and keep them in the fridge. Just remember to only have one or two at a time! And for the love of God, please use real Peanut Butter, not the processed yucky stuff!

 

No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (dry) oatmeal (I used old-fashioned oats)
  • 2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup ground flaxseed or wheat germ
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 tsp. vanilla

Method:

Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed.  Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.  Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like.  (Mine were about 1″ in diameter.)  Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Makes about 20-25 balls.

Substitution ideas can abound for just about any of these ingredients!  Feel free to substitute in your favorite nut butter (almond butter, sunflower seed butter, etc.) for the peanut butter.  And you could also add in some wheat germ in place of some or all of the flaxseed.  I would caution, though, against substituting agave nectar for the honey, as the honey’s thickness helps hold things together.

Some other fun substitutions for the chocolate chips (or an addition to them) could include:

  • chopped dried fruit (apricots, dates, raisins, etc.)
  • dried berries (cranberries, cherries, etc.)
  • chopped almonds, pecans, walnuts, or sunflower seeds
  • other chips (butterscotch, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, M&Ms, etc.)
  • other grains (different kinds of oatmeal, rice cereal, etc.)
Update: Many of you have asked about substitutions for other ingredients.  The joy of these bites being “no bakes” is that this recipe is super flexible.  If you end up needing to omit one of the dry ingredients (such as coconut or flax), just add in some extra of whatever other dry ingredient is remaining (for example, the oats).  If you feel like your energy bites are too dry, add in extra honey or peanut butter.  It’s also not required that you refrigerate these, but I find it helps them stick together much better.  And for some reason, I love things like this a little bit chilled.  Enjoy!!