September 24, 2015

Guest Post: Almond Butter Balls

September 24, 2015/ Annie

Hi all, Annie’s sister, Kathleen here! I am excited to be back guest blogging today on Take A Bite, especially because I get to blog about one of my favorite food groups—snacks!

I am not sure what doctors recommend as the daily serving of snacks (well, yes I do, but I ignore that) but I get a healthy four servings of snacks a day. Like yesterday, for example, I had granola at 9:45 A.M., pretzels at 1:00 P.M., pumpkin spice popcorn at 1:15 P.M., and wasabi peas at 4:00 P.M.

I never met a snack I didn’t like and I could medal in the Grazing Olympics. A handful here, a handful there, cheese, graham crackers, chips and dip, raisins, apples and almond butter… the list goes on and on of all my favorites.

Speaking of almond butter—it is one of my favorite snacks and also one of the main ingredients in one of my new favorite snacks. I made these snack balls about two weeks ago and have made them twice since. They are the perfect two-bite snack that will tide you over for hours. Plus, they only have five ingredients (most of which you will already have in your pantry!

Almond Butter Oatmeal Balls adapted from Purely Elizabeth
yields about 8 balls

Ingredients:
½ cup almond butter (or peanut butter)
3 Tbsps. maple syrup
1 tsp. coconut oil
A pinch of salt
1 cup oats

Directions:
Prepare a sheet pan or large plate by placing parchment paper to cover the surface.

Heat a small saucepan over medium heat and combine the first four ingredients, stirring until fully combined. Take the mixture off of the heat and stir in the oats, mixing until fully combined. (A thick mixture should form that should not be wet but easy to work with using your hands.)

Using a small cookie scoop or your hands, form balls (or scoops) with about two tablespoons of mixture, forming compact balls of dough. Place each ball on the sheet pan or plate, continuing to forms the balls until all the mixture has been used. Place the sheet pan or plate in the freezer to chill and set for at least an hour. After an hour you can store the balls in a sealed container until you eat them all!

Until next time,

Kathleen

August 06, 2015

M-O-R-N-I-N-G

August 06, 2015/ Annie

G-O-O-D M-O-R-N-I-N-G good morning, what what, good morning! We used to sing this good morning song all the time at summer camp growing up. I still sing it. I love the morning. I've gushed about my love for this time of day before. Monday was a good morning. With no work for sis and I, we decided a breakfast date was in order. We opted to not go out, but instead stay in and watch Hoda and Kathy Lee on the couch. Something that never happens now that work is a thing.

Here's a glimpse at my breakfast inspiration. I wanted to bake something fancy to kick off Kat's birthday week, but my girl Ina always says, if you slave all day in the kitchen no one will enjoy it, especially you. When having guests over she always cooks a few things and buys a few things. Homemade almond butter and avocado to top our toast, with fresh figs and pears to snack on between bites!

Here's a "toast" to the morning, cheers! I love you a.m.

Annie

April 20, 2015

Bites of My Life

April 20, 2015/ Annie

Crossing my finger's all these April showers bring May flowers. It rained almost everyday last week and it is forecasted to do the same this week. I love some good spring showers, but it's getting a little repetitive. So many good bites happened last week like trying new recipes, having mom in town for my last Mom's weekend, and Take a Bite turning 2!

It's been such a great last two years and I don't feel like I say thank you to y'all enough! TAB wouldn't be a thing if you didn't read it. Thank you for the encouraging comments, making my recipes, reading my posts and ignoring my grammar mistakes! Let's hope we can keep taking bites together for years to come!