Fertility, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding Energy Balls

I have loved energy balls for years now as a quick and easy snack that is also great for on the go! You can see my original energy ball recipe here. Today's recipe is the same base, but with a few added extras that are helpful for your fertility and pregnancy needs. I made about 4 batches of these before Iris was born and it was the perfect breastfeeding snack!

You can enjoy these whether you're pregnant, are preparing your body to become pregnant, or just want a deliciously easy protein ball. If you want more of a creamy and sweeter peanut butter taste than crunchy energy ball, halve the oats. If you want to make them vegan, sub agave for the honey. Also, feel free to make your own peanut butter or use any nut/butter you wish...all of the ingredients other than the peanut butter and honey are completely optional and customizable. Go nuts! I know, I've already perfected my Mom Jokes...

Fertility, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding Energy Balls | MALLORIE OWENS

In case anyone wants to know the science behind any of it, like I always do, here's the reasons I've added the ingredients I did...

 Honey ≫≫ Can help stimulate the ovaries.

Orange Juice ≫≫ Vitamin C is great for men and women's fertility and Folic Acid is key for pregnancy! It also helps with the absorption of iron.

Dates ≫≫ Contain key pregnancy vitamins and can aid labor (google it!)...mine was super fast and wonderful. 

Prunes ≫≫ Rich in iron.

Chia Seeds ≫≫ A complete source of protein and high in calcium, fiber, vitamins, and anti-oxidants. All great for you and your developing baby's brain.

Ground Flaxseed ≫≫ High in both Omega 3 and 6, regulate hormones and aid fertility.

Cinnamon ≫≫ Can help with ovarian function. This is especially helpful for women with PCOS.

Oats ≫≫ A valuable source of potassium and iron in a pregnancy and breastfeeding diet.

Maca ≫≫ Supports hormonal balance and increases energy.

Fertility, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding Energy Balls | MALLORIE OWENS
Ingredients ≫≫
1 Cup Peanut Butter
1/2 C Raw Local Honey
2 Tbsp Orange Juice
1 tsp Vanilla
1 Cup Oats
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
8 Dates (if pregnant) or Prunes (if ttc)
2 Tbsp Chia Seeds
1 Tbsp Ground Flaxseed (double if pregnant)
1 Tbsp Maca Powder (leave out if pregnant)

Directions ≫≫
If using dates or prunes chop them into small pieces. Throw everything into a mixing bowl or Kitchenaid and mix until thoroughly combined.

Refrigerate for at least an hour. You can skip this step if you don’t have time or are extra hungry, but it will make the next step extra messy.

Scoop a heaping tablespoon worth of the mixture and roll into a ball. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Enjoy!
Fertility, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding Energy Balls | MALLORIE OWENS

I hope you all enjoy the recipe, let me know if you try it, I'd love to see your photos and to know if you loved it as much as we did! You can find other recipes here.

♡ MALLORIE

Pioneer Woman Cheesy Olive Bread Mediterranean Style

Apparently this is the year that I try all the Pioneer Woman recipes I've had on my list. I started a new tradition by making her cinnamon rolls on New Years Day (you can see the photo and tweaks I made to the recipe here) and they were so much easier than I anticipated. And of course, so delicious.

Dave loves olives of all kinds, so I've been wanting to make him the Pioneer Woman's Cheesy Olive Bread since I got her book from my Grandma's stash. This bread was so easy (I made it with Iris on my hip), but it looks fancy and tastes wonderful. The perfect party snack! 

I decided to make it Mediterranean Style because we have a huge jar of Kalamata olives from Costco and I've been craving artichokes, so it was a no brainer. We had ours with Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup (from Costco, so delicious), would have been amazing with salad as well…or best yet, soup and salad!

I also switched out the regular French bread for a loaf of whole wheat french bread from the bakery, I'll snap a picture next time we grab some because it was really healthy and really yummy. When Dave reheated a few pieces of the cheesy bread the next day, he added sliced turkey on top. They made great leftovers...enjoy!

Pioneer Woman Cheesy Olive Bread Mediterranean Style | MALLORIE OWENS
Ingredients ≫≫
1 loaf Bread (French or Whole Wheat)
1 Can Artichoke Hearts, rinsed and drained
Kalamata Olives (1/2 of the artichoke heart can full), rinsed and drained
½ teaspoon Paprika
3/4 stick Butter, room temperature
1/2 cup Just Mayo (or regular mayonnaise)
10-12 oz Mozzarella and Parmesan Grated Mix (or cheese of choice)

Directions ≫≫

Preheat the oven to 325.

Rinse, drain, and chop the artichoke hearts. Fill the empty can half full of Kalamata olives, drain and rinse. Slice the olives (I did 2-3 cuts per olive, not super thin, but not huge chunks either).

Combine the softened butter, mayo, cheese, olives, and artichoke hearts in a mixing bowl. Stir together until thoroughly combined. Mine didn’t combine as well as I liked until I put it on the second speed of my Kitchenaid mixer for a minute or two.

Spread the mixture onto the bread. Bake until the cheese is melted and browning, about 20 minutes. Check as it gets close, mine only took about 18 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Cheesy Olive Bread Mediterranean Style | MALLORIE OWENS

I hope you all enjoy the recipe, let me know if you try it, I'd love to see your photos and to know if you loved it as much as we did! You can find other recipes here.

♡ MALLORIE