Cocoa Energy Bites

These popular peanut butter snacks get a chocolate boost with the addition of cocoa krispies cereal and mini chocolate chips.  Easy to make, easy to transport, and easy to eat on the go, these cocoa energy bites are the perfect balance of healthy snack and sweet treat.  With just six ingredients and no baking involved, you can have a batch of protein-rich snacks ready to go in just a few minutes.

We have been making energy bites in my family for a couple years now, with different variations making the rounds every so often to keep things interesting.  This latest version is a result of my son’s request.  He wanted something with extra chocolate and no seeds….and though I like adding sunflower seeds, chia seeds, etc. (as in our Special K Energy Bites), I honored his request, and I must say, these cocoa energy bites are really tasty and really fun to eat.  The cocoa krispies add a truly tasty crunch. And they still have some ‘healthy’ ingredients, such as peanut butter, rolled oats, and honey.

At this busy time of year, with so many activities going on, the demand for on-the-go snacks is huge.  I like to put a  container of these cocoa energy bites in a small cooler and take them with us on the way to soccer games, cross country meets, or wherever else we are going.  That way I know that I at least have one snack item to offer that is rich in energy-sustaining protein.  To be honest, at this time of year, as we adjust to our new schedules and as there are so many other things are going on, I feel like I am just one step away from chaos!  But having a good snack helps stabilize me and those around me.

Like I mentioned above, these cocoa energy bites bridge the gap between healthy snack and sweet treat.  It got me to thinking about balance, and how seeking balance is playing out in many aspects of my life right now.  The balance between being fulfilled with meaningful activities and being over-scheduled; the balance between family and work; the balance between spending too much money and earning enough money; the balance between what we actually need and what our society wants us to think we need….The list could go on and on.  I am working on all those aspects…but at least I feel like I have one figured out–these cocoa energy bites!

There is a hint of fall in the air today, and it feels really good after the extreme heat wave we had earlier in the week. I hope to get outside later today and enjoy the comfortable temperature.  But first, I’m taking a plate of these cocoa energy bites over to Angie’s Fiesta Friday, co-hosted this week by Deb @ The Pantry Portfolio and Laurena @ Life Diet Health.  I hope you all have a great weekend!

In my list of things to strive for balance in, I forgot to include the balance between work and play.  We have all been working pretty hard in my family lately, and on Labor Day we took some time to escape the heat and go to one of our favorite quiet lakes close to home. We took our inner tubes and floated around in the clean, cool water. Our kids discovered a rope swing and our daughter took this picture of our son swinging out over the water.  It was a great way to spend a hot afternoon, and we took that cool, fresh feeling with us as we started this busy and challenging week.  Now the week is almost over and I hope we can all find ways to recharge again!  Take care!  🙂