Just when things started settling down and I was feeling like I was getting into a good routine again, I got thrown for a loop.
Luke is really congested. Newborn babies only breathe through their nose, so being congested causes huge problems. Eating and sleeping become really difficult. If baby isn’t sleeping, guess who else isn’t sleeping? You got it. I am one tired mama over here.
Luckily, I have been blessed with a baby who rolls with the punches. He may be congested and overtired, but he is still mellow. This is about as unhappy as he looks when he’s awake:
Usually, even though he can’t breathe well and is clearly overtired from not being able to sleep in long stretches, he is still happy and content. I don’t know how we got so lucky.
I’m super tired, but I’m also really hungry. Fruit and nut concoctions are my go-to snack these days. They are quick to whip up and easy to grab and eat when I need fast nourishment. I love that they are a healthy snack for both me and Meghan, who would eat these at every meal if I let her.
I came up with this recipe as an attempt to incorporate more calcium into my and Meghan’s daily diet. Sesame seeds are an excellent source of calcium, actually containing ten times the amount found in cow’s milk for the same serving size.
These little balls have a unique spicy flavor that I just love. They also have a great textural element with the sesame seeds on the outside. I hope you enjoy this fun snack!
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Sesame almond energy balls
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 24 balls 1x
Description
A delicious and healthy alternative to snacking
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 1 cup raisins
- 3 tablespoons almond butter
- 1/4 scant cup sesame seeds + 3 tablespoons
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Put 1/4 cup of the sesame seeds in a small bowl and set aside. Combine the almonds, raisins, almond butter, 3 tablespoons of sesame seeds, allspice, and vanilla in a food processor or high powered blender and process until the ingredients are well-combined. The mixture may seem crumbly, but it will hold together when you roll it into a ball shape. Roll the mixture into small 1/2 inch balls, then roll the balls into the sesame seeds to coat. Store in the refrigerator. {If you prefer the balls to be more firm, put them in the freezer for 10-15 minutes first} Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 0.2g
- Sodium: 2.2mg
- Fat: 3.6g
- Carbohydrates: 6.7g
- Protein: 1.4g
I just made these to have as a snack and they’re so delicious! I love that they don’t create a mess when you make them – hooray no liquid sweetener and just 3 tbsp of nut butter! Related to that, I was happy to find that the balls stuck mostly to each other and hardly at all to my hands when I rolled them together. Finally, there’s no oatmeal! Which I don’t have a problem with, but it’s a nice change from most of the energy bites I make. Thanks so much!
You’re welcome! Thanks so much for your feedback. 🙂
I JUST MADE THEM! OMG SOOOO GOOD! I jist noticed you published this recipe back in 2012. how awesome is that?
Thanks, Sabrina! So glad you loved these. Yep, I’ve been at this a long time. 🙂
Awesome recipe. I will be giving these a try. I am all about the easy recipes these days.
Hope Luke feels better, it is no fun when the little ones are sick. 🙁 Hang in there, sleep will come eventually! 🙂
that makes three of us! i could use a good decongested and some of those bites. Rest up and hope lukey feels better soon.
Look yummy, I had no idea sesame seeds were so high in Ca2+!
Just read this and thought of you, interesting new research:
http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/AAAAIMeeting/31527
Look yummy, I had no idea sesame seeds were so high in Ca2+!
Just read this and thought of you, interesting new research:
http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/AAAAIMeeting/31527
Thanks for passing the article along; I’ll check it out!
AHHHHH Luke is the spitting image of Meghan!!!
Hope he feels better soon, what a CUTE little baby!! 🙂
Thanks, Brittany! 🙂
I didn’t realize sesame seeds were so high in calcium. I’ve been wanting to up my intake but don’t really want to take it in vitamin form. Problem solved.
That photo of Luke is the cutest thing I’ve seen all day. Poor little punkin’. I hope he feels better and you get some sleep soon!
Yummo! These kind of snacks are so great when you are run off your feed with the kiddies… something to tide you over, no? Love the addition of allspice, great idea.
Poor bubba, have you tried olbas oil? Worked a treat with my little one’s congestion, just a few drops on a cloth is enough.
I’ve never heard of olbas oil. I’ll have to look into it. Thanks!
Awwww poor guy, hope he gets feeling better soon!!
And it looks like we both had balls on the brain today… I shared some too! These look awesome + I love how they incorporate sesame seeds. Definitely going to give these a try sometime!
I had no idea that sesame seeds have so much calcium! I love them so I know I would love these balls! Now I just need to get my self to make some!
I hope little Luke feels better soon! 🙁
Those looks great!
Poor baby boy!