Hello, I hope this post finds you well!

Here’s a little dessert or snack recipe that is packed with protein, healthy fats and is oh, so yummy! (My friend Jenny inspired me with her wonderful nut clusters recipe.)

After trying several variations, I landed on this beefy version. My granddaughter named them “Coco Balls,” and gave her approval. So there you have it: they’ve been officially endorsed and named by a very important person!

You’ll need:

1 cup peanut butter (one that is made with just peanuts, no other additives)
2 cups regular rolled oatmeal
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I have used almonds, but pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews or a combination of them would be great too!)
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup cocoa
5 shakes of salt (maybe 1/8 of a tsp)
2 Tbs coconut oil
1-2 Tbs chia seeds
1 handful chocolate chips!

It’s easiest if you mix the peanut butter and honey, vanilla and cocoa together first and then add the oatmeal, nuts and chocolate chips last. You want the mixture to be sticky enough to hold together in balls, so just add more honey if you need a little more “glue”.

And a plug for tools: a scoop and a chopper surely do come in handy!

Once you roll them (I use a cookie scoop so that I can get even sized balls) you can roll them in unsweetened coconut, more cocoa, finely chopped nuts, chia seeds or just put chocolate chips on top!

Once you have these shaped and covered with the garnish of your choice, simply cover them or better yet, store them in the refrigerator in a glass container that has a tight fitting lid, and enjoy them for a snack or dessert!

To switch things up and give variety, you might try some of these additions:

dried cherries
raisins
cacao nibs
a pinch of cayenne pepper
macca powder
chopped dates
ground flax seeds
grated lemon peel
or whatever you can dream up!

Be well my friend.

I pray for you.

Love,

“The mission of Lioness at the Door is to uplift, strengthen and encourage women of all ages to magnify health, hope and happiness at home. We do so boldly, with humility and gratitude for the opportunity.”