Friday Feasting: Protein Balls

**photo credit - found HERE**

"As Baby #8 Birthday approaches, I remember how spectacular it was last time around with #7 when my sister showed up with three gallon-sized bags of energy/protein balls and “breastfeeding balls” in three yummy flavors.  They were a game-changer, folks!  I snacked on those things all day and all night.  They were gone in no time!  But it was SO NICE having that quick snack to help keep milk production up and the “hangry” mama feelings away.

(I *may* have even told my kids that if they ate them, it would make milk leak out of their nursies. Boys, too.  Hey – a mama’s gotta do what a mama’s gotta do!)

So here are a couple of basic recipes.  Make them for the new mom in your life.  She’ll remember it forever!  And mix it up!  Use dried cranberries or cherries, walnuts, and almonds.  You don’t have to use the whey powder either.  Just play with the dry vs. wet ingredients until you get the consistency you need"

Chocolate Protein Balls

Ingredients
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup chopped dark chocolate
• 2 tablespoons flax seeds
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon chocolate-flavored protein powder, or to taste

Directions:
1.  Stir oats, peanut butter, honey, chocolate, flax seeds, chia seeds, and protein powder together in a bowl until evenly mixed. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2.  Scoop chilled mixture into balls. Keep cold until serving.

**photo credit - found HERE**

No-Bake Lactation Cookies

Ingredients
• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• ½ cup ground or milled flaxseed
• 3 tablespoons brewer’s yeast
• 1 cup peanut butter or almond butter
• ½ cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ½ cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions
1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add all ingredients except for the chocolate chips. Mix on low speed until mixture is well combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
2. Roll mixture into 2-tablespoon sized smooth balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or enjoy right away. Once the bites have set, transfer them to an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.