Hi folks.
Today's special guest is Amber who blogs are Mama's Blissful Bites. Amber is an amazing lady who blogs about such a variety of things. She does recipes, crafts, green living, Â videos called "Ask Mama", and does a "for Moms Only" section as well. She whips up amazing recipes like Chewy Coconut Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips, Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares, Pasta with Roasted Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes, Grilled Cheese with Apple and Rosemary Walnut Butter, and The American Smoothie. She is incredibly talented and I feel so lucky she agreed to guest post for me today. I feel an affinity to Amber since I'm also a stay at home mom. It's a challenging and rewarding job, one I see Amber does not take lightly. She raises the bar by going the above and beyond in an effort to not only raise her kids but teach them life lessons. I admire her for her outlook and positive attitude in life. You folks will love this lady as much as I do. Please welcome Amber to the asylum.
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Hi there! I'm extremely excited (jumping up and down, clapping my hands and seal-clapping my feet, picture that!) to be able to write a post for you all! When I first read The Lunatics blog, I fell in love. I mean in love with the mouth-watering Red Velvet Ice Cream Cupcakes, Coconut Frenzy Cake, Peanut Butter Krispies (oh my!) and soooo much more. The Lunatics blog is posted in my favorites section on my computer because that's exactly what it is, one of my favorites! I hope I can live up to The Lunatics and your expectations! (Biting nails. Nibble. Nibble.)
Okay, (clearing my throat and pulling back my hair, I'm now ready.) I'm Amber from Mama's Blissful Bites or also known as Mama when my kids are whining to get something from me. Whine. Whine. Whine. Because of my wonderful kids, I have put together a mom blog to keep other moms sane unlike the days I have. I started to watch the three year old pushing my two year old, fighting over toys, yelling at what movie to watch, stealing each others food, etc. I'm pretty sure my brain has fallen out quite a few times, but hey, so far I have made it. I'm a stay-at-home mom, blogger and home company sales woman. I have many trades but my kids are my favorite challenge of all. I blog about almost anything from being environmentally green to projects at home with the kids (to my favorite) recipes! I love to have my kids in the kitchen and learn about eating healthy and then making a dessert that's not so healthy. I call it balance. Food is really the heart of our home. Sometimes even before the kids...maybe....maybe not....then again...maybe it is!
As I was growing up, my mom always taught us the importance of placing a family meal on the dinner table. We always ate every night around the table. Then we always chatted about how she made the food. How this that or the other tasted phenomenal. Well, I couldn't resist teaching my kids about what a home cooked meal is all about but things started to get complicated. I would fill up a pot of water and ask the kids not to jump on the sofa or add a jar of sauce to the pot and have one eye on my daughter trying to climb up the entertainment center. Yup, the two year old gymnast. No lie. I would serve these processed meals that they didn't want to eat (they don't have the taste buds for chicken tenders or even mac and cheese, I'm sobbing! Sometimes this girl needs something quick!) So I realized bringing them into the kitchen was far easier and messier. We have lots of fun in the kitchen.
One of their favorite snacks is called an Energy Ball. I never heard of these guys until my mom shoved one in my face. She said, "I don't know but its good." Then told me some ingredients to throw in. She wasn't lying it was good, really good. I tried to eyeball it out and made my first batch. They were just as good as if not better. The kids love to press the button on the food processor as they should, it's an amazing tool. It spins. Who doesn't like anything that spins? Well, me. It gets me sick but when I was a kid, yeah man (high five!)
This is a great recipe for a young child who may not be able to do all the nifty things that you can in the kitchen. Just prep and go! Hope you enjoy as much as my family (friends and neighbors do) the Energy Ball or as my neighbor calls it, Date Balls.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- 11 oz. baking dates or use regular dates and soak them in water (about 10-12)
- 2 Tbs vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 Tbs water
- ½ cup cocoa powder
Instructions
- Place 2 cups of pecans in food processor and blend for 20 seconds. It should still have whole pieces and some crumbs
- Add cocoa powder, cinnamon, and vanilla and blend for another 20 seconds.
- Add dates. Side Note: I used Pitted Baking Dates (who knew they existed?! They are fantastic, no soaking and they were the same price as regular dates! See if your store has it as well.)
- Slowly add water until forms a wet ball.
- Roll into small balls. (My favorite part! I love getting messy!) You can even roll in extra cinnamon, chocolate or even shredded coconut! They are filling and delicious! I left some half plain (my kids favorite) and the other half, rolled in cocoa. I sooo wish I had shredded coconut on hand, tisk! tisk!
- Place in fridge for thirty minutes and then dive in. They are good for you, they taste great and the kids think they are "chocolate balls!" I'm laughing....wahaha. I love when I can get one over on them!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
Awww I love this post!! Those energy balls look deceptively delicious! 😉
Kim Bee
Don't they just look amazing. I want to try them so bad.
DB-The Foodie Stuntman
I love this idea because these would be great for when I'm on the go running errands and my 4-year-old daughter gets hungry. Thanks for the idea, Amber!
Kim Bee
Would work perfectly for a 4 year old. She'd love them.
kitchenriffs
Fun recipe! Lots of flavor and nutrition in those little balls! Blissful, yes? 😉 Thanks for this.
Kim Bee
I want to try these so badly. You could have so much fun with the combinations.
suzanne Perazzini
These energy balls are right up my alley. I make similar healthy snacks each week for our morning teas. These look great.
Kim Bee
Would be perfect with morning tea. Great idea.
Ramona
The energy balls would certainly perk me up!! Great guest post. Kim hope your having a wonderful trip with your son. I nominated you for a Food Stories Nominee For Excellence in Storytelling. Come check it out on my blog post dated 9-2-12. 🙂
Kim Bee
Thanks Ramona. It turned into a trip of doom at the end but until then it was fun.
Oh my gosh, I'm so touched. Heading over to check it out tonight. Thank you so much. xx
sunithi
Delish ! I am making these when I get my hand on some dates 🙂
Kim Bee
Me too. They look so good.