One of my weaknesses is peanut butter.  When I was a little girl, I was allergic to peanut butter, nuts and chocolate.  I did not mind being allergic to chocolate, but I hated not being able to eat peanut butter. I had eczema (a rash) on my arms that always itched. It was always there but eating these foods made it worse.  I wore socks on my hands to bed so I would not scratch, and long sleeves to school so no one could see. I longed for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or celery with peanut butter on the inside!

Fast forward several years and I finally outgrew these food allergies in college and I have loved eating peanut butter. Recently I learned about a new way to eat peanut butter, by making power balls. 

These power balls are AMAZING!  They are easy to make and healthy to eat and I make them ALL THE TIME.  These no bake goodies are loaded with protein, fiber and healthy fats to keep you full and loaded with energy throughout the day. 

Here is the recipe, I know it by heart: 4 cups old fashion oats, ½ c ground flax seed, ½ c sunflower seeds, ½ c dried cranberries, ½ c mini chocolate chips.  I put all of these dry ingratiates in the food processor (in two equal batches because they grind better). The recipe then calls for ½ c honey and 1 16oz jar of creamy peanut butter.  Again, I divide these into 2 equal portions to mix with the dry ingredients.  I put both portions into a large bowl and start rolling the mixture into balls.  Depending on the size you make them, one batch makes about 40 balls.  I layer them in an airtight container, putting wax paper between the layers and store in the refrigerator or freezer.

What is not to love about them?  They have oatmeal, seeds, chocolate, and peanut butter!  I eat them everyday as a snack between breakfast and lunch.  This is my way of having a healthy snack while eating peanut butter at the same time!