Granola Footballs

In the Fall, I am a football widow.  It really is nice stinks to be by myself every Friday night while Dev is at varsity games.  I wish I could be there to sit in the cold metal bleachers, judge stare at the snobby high school cheerleaders (that I used to be, #sorrynotsorry), & stuff my face with sodium-ladden popcorn.  Buuuuut....because I drive almost an hour to work + contain 26 5-year olds all day, I have a good excuse not to go to the games.  Now, when we have a baby I will be in the front row cheering them on in whatever they choose to do.  I just hope it involved tutus, glitter & dance routines to Thriller.   

Last spring, DC & his football-coaching buddies decided to compete in a Tough Mudder competition.  This involved diving into ice cold water, scaling walls & getting electrocuted while crawling through mud.  This also involved not inviting their wives.  But, you can better believe I quizzed him on who complained about their wife on the way down & that it better not have been him.  I don't think it was though, because I asked the guys when they got back & they said he never talks bad about me.  Reason #34,567 why he is awesome.

Back to this post's theme: food.  When the boys (I love calling grown men boys...I think it's cute) left for their trip to Ohio, I made lots of snacks for them to take.  I'm not good at a lot of things: shooting a free throw, working a remote, or driving the speed limit, but I am this: a good treat-giver.  I packed iced sugar cookies, sunflower seeds, double-fudge brownies, chips, you name it.  Then I thought I would be clever and try to *sneak* in something somewhat healthy...these protein energy bites.  

About half way through the drive, I get a text from Devin saying, "Everyone loved your balls.  They're gone."  Iced sugar cookies?  Still there.  Brownies?  Barely touched.  My "Balls" as so lovingly described...GONE.  These babies are addicting.  Super easy.  And you probably have all of the ingredients in your pantry.   Since the Tough Mudder, I have made them at least 5 different times for the coaches & they are devoured.  Therefore, I renamed Granola Foot-"balls"....the most original I could come up with.

Go make them now.  You won't be disappointed.
And I promise the football coach in your life will love you for it.

Granola Football Bites
1 cup quick oats
1/2 cup reduced-fat peanut butter
1/4-1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (could also use raisins, cranberries or any kind of nut)
1/3 cup honey & 1/3 cup light maple syrup (or you can do 2/3 cup of either)
1 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
2 T vanilla protein powder (can omit if you don't have it & they will still be fine)

Mix all ingredients very well & chill for 30 minutes.  Roll into balls & devour, or pass them on to a friend who has had a tough week!

Now, if you are going to the store to buy the ingredients and have to stop for gas....please don't pre-pay, walk off, & accidentally leave your full gas pump.  Not that I did that this week or anything.

Happy weekend, friends.