If you find yourself ready for a nap about 1 or 2 pm and are thinking about
reaching for that bag of Reese’s Pieces or snickers bar or can of red bull as
a way to refresh and get re-energized, don’t do it.


There’s an easier way to restore energy and yes, it does come from
the kitchen.
The new kitchen solution:
Energy Bites.

They’re tasty treats made with nuts, oats and dried fruit and these snacks
satisfy hunger and boost energy levels and unlike sugar-filled snacks,
they won’t cause you to crash in an hour or two.

So, if you’re putting together this week’s grocery list, make sure to include
the following…

a) More Alertness-
You have to stay awake for that important meeting about 11:00 am and
to do that eat a Peanut and Chocolate treat.
The treat:
Peanut-Chocolate Truffle Bites!
Ingredients:
16 dates, pitted
1/2 cup of peanut butter
1/4 cup of cocoa powder, (unsweetened)
1/2 tsp. of vanilla extract
2 oz. of water
1 cup of rolled oats
1/4 cup of dark chocolate chips
To make:
Blend dates, peanut butter, cocoa and vanilla in blender or food
processor until smooth. Add the water and blend another 30 secs.
Transfer to a bowl, stir in the oats and choc. chips Roll into 16 balls.
This snack will eliminate brain fog thanks to vitamin E in the peanut butter
and the small amount of energizing caffeine from the dark chocolate.

b) Wake Up Those Muscles-
Your brain may be working okay, but your muscles seem to be on a
different frequency. To combat this, Combine some cashews with coconut.
The treat:
Coconut and Cashew Tea Bites!
Ingredients:
3/4 cup of raw cashews
1/4 cup of pistachios (shelled)
1/4 cup of shredded coconut (unsweetened)
2 tsp. of matcha powder
1 Tbs. of coconut oil
12 dates, pitted
More pistachios, 1/4 cup, chopped finely
To make:
Blend all ingredients (not the chopped pistachios) in a blender or food
processor, until it resembles crumbs. Roll into balls with the chopped pistachios.
Enough for 14 bites.
Get rid of sluggishness thanks to magnesium-rich cashews and the fats from the
coconut and an energy boost from the matcha tea. Plus, all of the ingredients
will prevent the crash and burn effect that comes from a Snicker’s bar or energy drink.

c) Enjoy All-Day Energy-
With raisins, walnuts, oats and honey.
Get slow-steady all-day energy with this energy bite.
Ingredients:
1 cups of raisins
1/2 cup of walnuts
1/4 cup of rolled oats
2 Tbs. of ground flasxseed
1 Tbs. of dark honey
1/4 tsp. of vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. of kosher salt
To make:
Add raisins to a bowl with enough hot water to cover; soak for 5 mins.
Drain; lightly pat dry. Blend walnuts, oats and flaxseed in food processor
until finely ground. Add the raisins, honey, vanilla and salt, pulse until sticky
ball forms. Remove from the processor and roll into 12 to 14 small balls.
Get the energy you had when you were a teen by eating this dish that’s made
up of carbs like raisins, oats, flaxseed and dark honey.

One last tip:
Store your leftover energy bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet or
in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Eat within 7 days.