Monster Cookie Energy Bites

I've found this to be real easy on my tummy whether I'm nauseous, having abdominal pain or not. I tend to eat quite a few in a day to get my micronutrients and the fiber in them helps me to void more frequently and easily.

Ingredients for monster cookie energy bites

• ½ cup creamy peanut butter (I found Jif PB to provide best flavor)
• ⅓ cup honey (organic)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup old fashioned oats (organic)
• ⅓ cup ground flaxseed (organic)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (organic)
• Optional: 2 tbsp wheat germ (organic)
• ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (see addendum for chips and M&M's)
• ¼ cup mini M&M's

Directions for monster cookie energy bites

1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Refrigerate for 15-30 minutes then roll into balls. Keep energy bites stored in an air tight container in the fridge or freezer.

Recipe notes

• I use recipe as it is, including ‘optional’ wheat germ.
• I make 5-6 batches at a time, using a mini scoop to gather together quantity, then roll in a ball by hand. Have also found spraying non-stick spray on 'gathering' hands to be effective in a smooth transition and packing into the scoop. You don't want the scoop overflowing - pack it in there.
• I find the 'goop' much easier to work with if the bowl is put in the freezer for about 30 mins, rather than the fridge for 45 minutes (if making several batches at a time)
• Forget laying them out on wax paper. Drop them right into your container (plastic zip-lock or glad, separate layers with cut-to-size wax paper).
• Buy all ingredients at Walmart, PB, and honey in bulk, if you’ll be making multiple batches. Economically speaking, makes a lot of sense. I’ve only found the M&M’s at Walmart.
• Mini M&M’s and mini chocolate chips: ¼ cup per for a single batch is a takeover rather than a compliment. Suggest covering the bottom of a ¼ cup dry measuring cup with a bit more and mixing them in (for a single batch). For several batches, I'll use about 1/3 cup of each.
• Ground flaxseed & chia seeds: Hy-Vee health foods. Wheat germ, boxed in Hy-Vee health foods. Hy-Vee sells these 9-each for $5.99. I make them for about 20 cents each.
• I prefer to store them all in the freezer and eat them frozen. At fridge temp or room temp, they tend to 'fall apart' quite easily. Even at frozen, they're quite easy to eat and don't "fall apart."
• This recipe can easily be adapted to your preference. M&M's can be omitted and substituted with your favorite nut or dried fruit etc. I usually add shredded coconut instead.