Part 1 of 2: Easy Recipes For New Moms

Booby Balls!

Please help us welcome Kate, our guest blogger, toddler mom, passionate cook, and blogger at Nap Time Kitchen!

Hello! My name is Kate and I am a stay at home mom to two wonderful toddlers with a third due this September. I have a passion for cooking and for helping moms learn to love the kitchen. To me, eating healthy does not need to be complicated or expensive; it is should be accessible and fun! I know in this hectic season of life so many of us are in, the last thing we want to do is fret over food, yet, ironically, its the activity we probably have to do the most in a day besides diaper changes! I run an instagram page where I share our meals, methods, and madness in hopes of making other parents feel less overwhelmed in their kitchens. I have also just launched a website as a way to make the recipes I am sharing on Instagram more accessible. Hope you take a peak and feel inspired!

Today I wanted to share a super simple, easy recipes for new moms needing a good, nutrient rich snack fast that also help with milk production. The first is a follower favorite because it requires minimal equipment and the balls keep in the fridge for months! Feel free to reach out to me at naptimekitchen@gmail.com if you have any questions :)

NTK Peanut Butter Energy Balls (aka Booby Balls!)

As promised, here is the recipe for the PB power balls I eat on the daily! They are also called Booby Balls because they are awesome for nursing mothers. The oats and flax seed are great for lactation, and having them ready to go in the freezer gives you an amazing, protein rich, calorie dense snack whenever you need it. The ingredient list is long, but fairly simple. If you are missing something, don’t sweat it. Just leave it out!

YOU WILL NEED:

2.5 cup old fashioned oatmeal
1 cup coconut flakes
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup cacao nibs
1/3 cup honey
2 tbs chia seeds
2 tbs ground flax seed
1 tbs hemp seeds (optional)
1-2 tbs brewers yeast (optional, I actually leave it out but great for nursing mamas!)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tbs melted coconut oil

TO MAKE:

Mix all ingredients together and allow to harden in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.
Roll into bite sized balls on a cookie sheet/plate lined with parchment/wax paper (*this part is sort of tricky, I use both hands and really have to mold them tight*)
Put the cookie sheet in the freezer for them to harden for 20-30 minutes.
Remove and store in the freezer.
Take one out whenever you need a quick snack and allow 5 minutes to soften if it’s too hard to bite right away

NOTES: make them #glutenfree by using gluten free oats, if you don’t have ground flax seed or chia seeds don’t stress, just leave them out. I use Trader Joe’s crunchy salted PB.

Email me (naptimekitchen@gmail.com) with any questions! I love helping Moms thrive! And check back next month for a tasty and healthy smoothie! Look for my guest blog next month for one of my favorite smoothies!