Peanut Free Protein Balls

What do you do when you find a box of stale cereal? Usually I would throw it away, but being that I was hungry and in a creative mood, I decided to make protein bars. Halfway through mixing ingredients, I realized the consistency was perfect for no bake protein power balls instead, so that is exactly what we ended up with! 

Here are the simple ingredients;

4 servings Special K protein flakes, ground in the Vitamix. 

2 tbsp Chia Seeds

40 grams Dayes, pitted

3tbsp WowButter peanut free soy butter

1/4c Walden Farms Pancake Syrup

I started by mixing the Special K cereal in the Vitamix. 

Then added my chia seeds

I emptied the contents in my KitchenAid and then put my dates with a few tablespoons of water and the walden farms syrup in the Vitamix and blended until almost smooth. I added the WowButter and blended again, then added that to the dry mix in the KitchenAid. I mixed all the ingredients until well incorporated. The mixture was exactly 300 grams, so I rolled them into 10 equal 30gram balls. Before placing them in my fridge, I ate one to make sure it was safe. It was! Crunchy from the Gia seeds, so if you don't like the crunch, you can wet your chia first for a few minutes, use only 1tbsp or omit them all together. 

Hope you enjoy! 

Chick Pea Blondies

Once upon a time I was sitting standing in my kitchen when my ravenous sweet craving came rearing it's ugly head. I walked to the pantry and eyed the peanut butter. Just last week I had an inappropriate relationship with said peanut butter jar (who shall remain nameless for now), so I knew that taking even a "tablespoon" of this magical mixture would become problematic for a girl who has been diligent about counting her macros, so, I started dreaming of healthy brownies instead. I have made my black bean brownies in the past, and that sounded great, but I didn't have the same chocolate fudge protein powder I had previously used and didn't want to be disappointed by the taste. What could I make? Chick peas! Maybe healthy cookie dough? No, still tempted to eat the entire bowl. Hmmmm, how about a healthy blondie? Would my kids try it? Sprinkles. Yes, everyone loves sprinkles! 

So, the healthy, protein, chick pea, birthday blondie was born. So good. So yummy, and I could portion them. So smart! 

I used ingredients I had in the cabinet, but believe me, you can you a huge variety of items you already have to make these. Don't be stumped by the items I've used! ...and please, share your own recipes if you have good ones!!!

Here's mine. 

🔸1 can Chick Peas, drained and rinsed. 

🍁1/2c Walden Farms Pancake Syrup (can use honey, agave, or another sweetener of choice)

🍶1/4 tsp butter extract

🍨2tbsp vanilla protein powder 

🎉3tsp Sprinkles, plus additional 1tsp for topping. 

(Optional 🍁1/4tsp maple extract)

Preheat oven to 350°. Line 8x8 pan with parchment paper or butter sides and bottom. 

Purée chickpeas until smooth texture. Mix in all ingredients. Pour in to pan and sprinkle remaining 🎉1tsp sprinkles on top. Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes depending on the gooeyness of your choice! 

Let cool for about 30 minutes. Cut in to portions, 8 or 16. I did 16 but still ate two right away!!!! Hope you enjoy! 

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