Homemade Protein Bar Balls

                                                              In the kitchen with my girls!
                   

After becoming annoyed at the l  o  n  g  list of ingredients (many being hard to pronounce mind you!) listed on the box of protein bars at SAMS today, I decided to whip up my own Protein Bar Balls! This are super yummy, easy and satisfying! The kids happily sampled these, giving them a chocolatey thumbs up!  Best of all, each ingredient can probably be found in your kitchen.

3 speckled bananas
2 cups quick oats
1/3 cup plain greek yogurt (or substitute applesauce if you're wanting 'em vegan!)
1 scoop chocolate protein powder ( I used Beverly, made right here in Kentucky! Vegan? Use soy protein!)
1/4 cup vanilla almond milk
4 tablespoons peanut butter

Mix all the goodies up in a bowl. I used a small pampered chef cookie scooper to measure my dough onto the cookie sheet. As always, line your cookie sheet with parchment paper to avoid sticking! Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes (more or less depending on size of protein bar ball you want).

My batch created 41 protein bar balls. Each ball weighed in at 35 calories and 2 grams of protein each.
Since we decided to enjoy these as a sweet treat tonight, Morgan placed 2 chocolate chips on each ball, adding a teensy 4 calories per.

Our whole family gobbled up several a piece, with some to spare! These really would make a great alternative to store bought protein bars and even make a yummy companion on a long RUN :)

Saturday's Shake Up

A typical Saturday morning for me begins with my I phone beeping me awake, pulling on some running gear, and slipping out the door for my weekly long run. Today my little 'shaker' sons stirred my pot of normality. This was the day the boys began playing basketball! Not only had I signed Brody and Rolan up to play a little b-ball at our local Y, I volunteered my husband to coach as well! So the early hours of this Saturday were shook up with cheering, coaching and otherwise enjoying our little men experience their own dribbling and RUNNING!

Happy New Year!

I am sure we all have super fantastic goals to ensure this year is unlike any other....right?! I have a few ambitions myself and this seems like the perfect time to share my "new" New Year's resolutions.

Resolution #1
Get back to eating a plant based diet.  For me, this means eating a large variety of fruits, vegetables, and nutrient dense grains, and little to no meat.  In addition, I keep my dairy and egg consumption to less than 20% of my daily total calories. I just know that abolishing sugar from my diet would help me to lose that last 4 pounds, but if I can't enjoy sweets on occasion, I'd make for a grumpy wife and mommy! But as my husband teasingly reminds me, sugar and chocolate are technically plant based... ;)  I just keep these "extras" to a very limited amount.

Resolution #2
That even though I may get very impatient and aggravated with my kids at times ( Hey we do spend 24 hrs a day together!) I really hate the guilt that follows me when I raise my voice at my children. I don't want to yell, holler, scream (it's happened a time or two...) or otherwise bring further contention into our home with a harsh voice. My husband and I are constantly telling our children that they are solely responsible for their actions. I need to take my own advice to heart and not react to my frustration by yelling.

Resolution #3
To teach my children to study and love the scriptures. I know that if they are to ever gain their own testimony of our Savior, they must learn for themselves that the scriptures are true. We currently have a Book of Mormon reading chart we are following. Once we have completed it, we will start a chart for the Bible, Pearl of Great Price and Doctrine and Covenants. I am thankful for all of these witnesses of Jesus Christ in my life.

There are many more tweaks and adjustments I am sure to benefit from, but I figure these are a pretty good undertaking for 2013.

As a side note: my dad joined me for an aerobics class this morning at the Y. It was awesome to share my love of exercise with him :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!