For four balls full of energy..

Four kids in four years is a total trip.

There are SO many times where I've looked at them all playing...or fighting...and thought "well, *that* sure happened quickly."

We've been doing so much playing outside lately that the kids work up such an appetite for snacks. When I was working with patients in the clinic setting, healthy snack ideas was always a request.

I've seen variations of "energy balls" all over the internet, and truthfully the name alone has always made me roll my eyes. Like, ALL food gives you energy. There is nothing special about rolling up ingredients into a ball. Except it makes for an easy snack. And if you use high nutrient ingredients you get a healthy boost. Plus it'll take you less than five minutes to make. M-m-m-maybe I can get on board with energy balls.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Hershey's Special Dark) 1 tablespoon chia seeds 1/2 scoop protein powder (I used unflavored but vanilla or chocolate would also work) 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter + 1 tablespoon (Smuckers will always be my fave) 1/4 cup honey or agave nectar (neither is a health food, but you need a little sweet and sticky to hold it together) 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

#chocolatepbenergyballs

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add peanut butter, honey, and agave. Stir to combine. Using your hands, form into 12 1-inch balls. Refrigerate or freeze.

Per energy ball: 128 calories, 16 grams carbohydrates (including 4 grams fiber), 6 grams fat, 5 grams protein, 9 grams added sugars.

Not pictured: the half dozen that *my* energy balls ate!

When the kitchen's running hot...

I am PREPARED!

A heat wave is here- I think legitimately anywhere you go, 90+ would be considered pretty toasty, right?

As such, I do not want to be standing in front of the stove, oven, or grill. One of my tried-and-true go to's for warm weather is cowboy caviar. I definitely did not make up the name or this recipe, but it's a Minnesota staple. It's pretty customizable too- feel free to add other veggies you might like.

Hop over to my YouTube channel for the cooking demo and semi-lame commentary by, well, me.

Cowboy Caviar- makes four servings 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 2 ears corn on the cob, shucked and boiled for 5 minutes (could sub ~2 cups frozen corn) 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved 1 bell pepper, diced 1/4 cup green onion, diced 1 avocado, diced 1/3 cup olive oil 1/3 cup lime juice 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon agave nectar or honey Pinch of garlic #cowboycaviar

Using a serrated knife, cut the cooked corn kernels off the cob. Combine corn, tomatoes, black beans, bell pepper, green onion, and avocado in a large bowl. In a small bowl or Pyrex measuring cup, whisk together oil and remaining ingredients. Pour over veggie mix. Stir to combine. This tastes best after refrigerating for at least an hour. Keeps well up to 2 days.

Per serving: 375 calories, 43 grams carbs, 23 grams of fat (but the healthy unsaturated plant-based kind), 10 grams protein.

Sunday Stuff

Oh hey, look who got dressed up for church this morning!

Of course as soon as we walk through the door back home it's time to change.

It's been awhile since I've done a stuff-I've-bought-that-I-like post, so why not fill up your Sunday afternoon with some stuff. Sidenote- I finally de-oaked our bedroom door. Next step is updating the door knob. Projectsprojectsprojects. 

For starters, I'm loving this criss cross sweatshirt. It's super lightweight and a dupe for a much more expensive version at Athleta. I like this to throw on over my running clothes when we do errands. What a great price point too!

I know I've blogged about this item before, but I swear by Turkish towels. They're lightweight cotton and soak up a lot of water, but also dry so much quicker than regular beach towels. Plus they can double up as a swimsuit cover-up. I always keep one in my car for spontaneous park picnics (yes I'm happy to say that in spite of my deficits as a mom, I *do* that sort of thing with the kids). 

This Supergoop setting spray is a summer must for me. It's SPF 50 and I tend to use it more midday for a refresh on sun protection. Having a spray touch up is so much easier than reapplying goopy sunscreen in front of a mirror. 

I've been using Clarins self tanner drops for years, but got this Isle of Paradise self tanning drops in a Sephora kit and I like it. It's at a slightly lower price point, and it's not just for face. I find that 2 drops mixed with my morning SPF lotion helps tamper down the ghost pale I've got going for me. 

More Supergoop here- SPF 30 lip balm that doesn't have flavor. I get tired of fakey fruity flavors of lip balms, and even though it's acai infused, it's neutral going on. 

This Coola SPF 30 spray is specifically for your scalp. I am not a huge hat girl and so at least a few times each summer I end up getting a burn either on my part or on my hairline. I've tried doing body sunscreen spray but that ends up making my hair so gross and greasy. This stuff has proven to not be greasy at all- which is very important for a girl who washes her hair...once...a...week. Yup. 

As for best body sunscreen, I read some sort of scientific-y article years back where this La Roche Posay was voted by dermatologists to have the most potent anti-sun ingredients. I've been buying it ever since. It rubs in easily, doesn't feel greasy, and isn't chalky. Often times I'll see it on sale on Walgreen's website so I stock up then. 

I've tried three different detangling brushes now and this one from Bathpack is by farrrrrr the best. I don't even need a detangling spray with this one it's *that* good. Perfect for post shower or post swimming. 

I bought these fun Lilly Pulitzer sunglasses on our recent Bahamas vacation. We took a shuttle over to the massive Baha Mar hotel and casino (seriously it's like the poshest Vegas hotel...only on a beach) and while my husband gambled and lost money, I shopped. I mean, if we're both going to lose $50, I at least want something to show for it!

It is cliche to comment about how fast summer is flying by, but it's true! I've already been getting so much use out of these products, and we still fortunately have weeks to go!