Power Protein Balls

I've been experimenting with my vanilla and chocolate whey protein powder, looking for tasty, easy, economical ways to incorporate it into our diets. I adopted a recipe that Michelle and the kids used to make some great no-bake "power balls" to come up with this recipe that I thought good enough to take to the gym with me for taste testing ...everyone that tried one declared them delicious, and I promised I'd post the recipe. These are waaay healthier than the "chocolate no-bakes" I made for years, I think they will help me kick my evening ice cream habit, and Amber might even find them a suitable substitute for her beloved "buckeyes". Here's the recipe:

Mix well together in large bowl:

• 1 cup old fashioned oats/oatmeal


• 2 scoops chocolate whey protein powder (1/2 to 2/3 cup) (I use EAS)


• 1/4 cup ground flax seed (for the fiber and omega 3's)


• 1/2 tsp cinnamon


• 1 tsp cocoa powder (I prefer Hershey's special dark)


• 1/4 cup raisins (or other dried fruit of your choice)


• 1/4 cup honey


• 1/2 cup peanut butter


• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Form into 1" balls. Makes 20.

If you find the mixture too dry to form balls that stay together, add more peanut butter. Brands differ a bit in the amount of oil they contain.

Based on this recipe and 20 balls, each power ball has:

• 102 calories


• 5 grams fat (no trans, all healthy fats in peanut butter and flax)


• 5 grams protein


• 1.5 grams fiber


• 5 grams sugar (honey & raisins)


• 10 grams carbs

I tried doubling the flax seed to increase the fiber and decrease the sugar proportionately, adding additional peanut butter, cocoa and cinnamon, but they were a little too dry and didn't taste as good, although the Cullum kids still devoured them.

I've been experimenting with some protein pumpkin pancakes and will post the best recipe soon.

I like mixing a scoop of the vanilla with plain non-fat yogurt and ground flax seed to have over fresh berries and fruit.....yumm....

Or throw in a scoop of either flavor along with cinnamon (and ground flax seed!) to a serving of old fashioned oatmeal for another quick tasty breakfast that will hold you for hours longer than the oatmeal alone.

Note: If you haven't purchased whey protein powder before, you might think I'm out of my mind for calling it economical, but one serving of the EAS brand, which supplies 23 grams of very lean protein, works out to about 30-35 cents a serving.