I get hungry, a lot.  I eat 3 meals a day but I need daily snacks to hold me over to each meal.  I don’t purchase bad snack options because I know I will eat them if available.  BUT, my lovely husband used to bring tempting devilish snacks into our home.  Chips, donuts, oreos, you name it.  So every now and then I would get a craving for an item on the “Do not eat” list, and go nuts.

Thank goodness in the last month he has decided to come over to the fit side.  Hallelujah!  Every morning he wakes up at 5:45 a.m. to work out, and has cleaned up his diet tremendously.  Needless to say I am incredibly proud of him.

Due to his change in eating, the bad stuff is no longer crossing the threshold into our pantry.  Instead I need to make sure I have snacks for both of us now.  Two hangry people in the afternoon can be dangerous.  I keep the obvious staples, like hard-boiled eggs and hummus on hand, but sometimes that doesn’t quite hit my sweet spot.  My sweet tooth needs to be fed every now and then.

Chocolate Almond Energy Bites hit my sweet spot every time.  Two small bites pack almost 4g of protein, enough carbs (7g) to level your blood sugar.  The good fats and fiber give you a satiated feeling, making the bridge to your next meal a happy one.

The bites last in the fridge for two weeks, but can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Do yourself a favor and make a large batch so you always have a healthy, yet decadent option ready.

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Recipe

Serves 12

1 1/2 cups whole almonds

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (can use vegan chips, I love Enjoy Life!)

1/2 cup unsweetened dried flake coconut

2 teaspoons water

Directions:

In a food processor pulse the first 3 ingredients till smooth, but still has some texture.  Add in the water one teaspoon at a time, pulse till combined.

Using a melon baller scoop up the mixture, press mixture firmly, and then roll into a ball.

Refrigerate till firm or freeze till ready to use.  If frozen, thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before eating.

Nutrition

Servings: 12• Size: 2 bites • Calories 124: • Fat 9.5g • Carb: 7.7g • Fiber: 1.6g • Protein: 3.3g • Sugar:  2.6g • Sodium: 92.9mg • Cholesterol: 2.2mg