Peanut Butter and Cranberry Energy Bites

Hello everyone,

I've been trying to live a healthier lifestyle in an effort to reduce my risk of developing lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension,which are prevalent in the Caribbean region, particularly here in Saint Lucia. In my quest to lead a healthier lifestyle I have taken up walking (other forms of exercise will be added in due course- for now taking up walking,though a modest start is a giant leap for me -yes people my lifestyle has been that sedentary! (Sigh) In my defense though -which okay let's admit it,isn't really that much of a defense....but it is valid a reason - given everything that having a  career and family to look after entails, I haven't yet been able to commit to any kind of exercise routine to get washboard abs and buns of steel (lol). But the desire to exercise is there and they say to do something you must first have the desire right ....so I have the desire and I have started walking.

In terms of eating healthier I have started reducing the amount of sugar I consume and I've been consuming less processed foods. I've realized that when I am hungry (i.e. between meals) is when I consume the bad stuff,you know the processed and sugary snacks: the cookies,the potato chips et cetera. To combat this,I have started making myself these protein energy bites. They taste yummy, are filled with protein and fiber, and as an added bonus these energy bites are also great for boosting milk production for lactating mothers.

Ingredients

1 cup Oats
2/3 cup Peanut Butter
1/2 cup Cranberries (you can use semi-sweet chocolate chips or coconut flakes if you prefer)
1/2 cup Ground Flaxseed
2 tbsp Honey

Method

Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix  or knead them together with a spoon or your hands (I used my hands) and then roll them into little balls.

This recipe gave me thirteen balls however the amount of balls you get may vary depending on the size of the balls. I formed the balls immediately after mixing the ingredients together however you can leave the mixed ingredients in the fridge for a little while (e.g fifteen to thirty minutes) to make it easier to form the balls.

Benefits of Drinking Lemon

Two weeks ago I started drinking lemon. I first learnt of the benefits of drinking lemon a few years ago in a newspaper article which claimed that drinking a glass of warm lemon water each morning for seven days would rid the body of toxins, and promote glowing skin. I tried it once and because lemon juice squeezed into hot water tasted terrible I never drank it again because I was not as dedicated to what I call the cause then, as I am now. However, after recently learning about the other health benefits associated with drinking lemon, I decided to give it a "go" again but with a notable twist this time. Instead of drinking lemon and water, I decided to make a lemon tea. Here's what my tea looked like :

I used:

The juice of half of a lemon

Half of a tea cup of boiling hot water

one teaspoon of pure honey

a dash of aromatic bitters

Benefits of Drinking Lemon

1. Supports the immune system: The juice of half a lemon in a glass of water is rich in vitamin C, which helps boosts the immune system and assists the body in fighting colds and flu. 

2 Aids digestion: Lemon juice  helps cleanse the bowel by flushing out waste more efficiently and stimulates the release of gastric juices, which aid digestion.

3 Repairs skin: The antioxidant properties of lemon help combat free radical damage, which contributes to ageing your skin, because lemons are loaded with Vitamin C which creates collagen synthesis it helps to keep skin tight and fight wrinkles.

4 Balances pH levels: Lemons are one of the most alkalising foods for the body and a good pH level is essential as too much acidity in the body can be inflammatory.

6  Cleanses the urinary tract: Lemon juice is a diuretic, meaning it encourages the production of urine. As a result, toxins are released at a faster rate, helping to purify the system and keep it healthy. Lemon juice can also change the pH level of the urinary tract which discourages the proliferation of bad bacteria.

7  Freshens breath: The antiseptic qualities in lemon juice help kill off bad bacteria in the mouth by acting as a disinfectant.

9 Promotes healing: Ascorbic acid, vitamin C, promotes wound healing in the body and is an important nutrient in maintaining healthy bones, tissue and cartilage. It also calms inflammation in the body.

10 Detoxifies the liver: Lemon water acts as a liver cleanser by assisting in detoxification. It purifies and stimulates the liver by encouraging the production of bile, an acid required for digestion. Lemon water can also help control excess bile flow, decrease the amount of phlegm produced by the body and assist in dissolving gallstones.

Many people say that the best time to drink lemon in hot water is when you wake up, however, since this isn't convenient for me, I have been drinking my tea in the evening when I come home from the office.I've read of some people experiencing "breakouts" on their faces when they just started drinking lemon. This is because of the detoxifying effects of the lemon  (as you detox, the impurities your body is getting rid of can release itself as breakouts on your skin), whilst I have not experienced this, should this happen to you, please don't panic, look at the breakouts as your body getting rid of all the bad stuff- which needs to GO. Just keep drinking your lemon, and drink a lot of water (to further flush out your body), and in a few days it will pass, and then you can enjoy all the other benefits of drinking lemon.

I love sharing with you, thanks for stopping by.

XX

Malika

Disclaimer: Views expressed above are my own and have been derived from testimonials and online research, they have not necessarily been evaluated or put forward by clinical evidence or the like.