Can you smell it? Spring is in the air!  It’s hard to believe after what feels like years in a cold vortex, but warmer weather is right around the corner.  Most folks are getting ready for a heavy dose of spring cleaning or getting their finances sorted after RRSP and tax season and if you’re like me, then you’re doing a little bit of both.

Life in the city can get EXPENSIVE.  Let me tell you.  And although this blog might make it feel like I eat out every day, it’s the furthest from the truth.  The reality is that I like to treat myself to a few good meals out during the week but for the most part I am meal planning, grocery shopping and increasing my roster of go to recipes that I love to both cook and eat.

This blog started off as way to document my experience of being in the city, but it would be an injustice to not talk about how I LIVE in the city.  So along with all the fabulous things to see, eat and do in downtown Toronto you might start to see a sprinkling of my favourite recipes, deals I’ve scored and ways I’ve learned to make the most of my time and dollar.

This first post is inspired by my constant battle between my sweet tooth and desire to be healthy.  Why must everything that tastes so good be SO bad for you?  A few years ago, a friend of mine made these delightful little treats which surprisingly satiated my sweet cravings and didn’t make me feel guilty. Personally, I can only eat just one which make it even easier to not over indulge!

Better for You Balls
Time: 1 hour
Servings:  20 balls

Ingredients
1/3 cup Honey
½ cup smooth Peanut Butter
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
2/3 cup Coconut flakes (sweetened or toasted)
1 cup Rolled Oats
½ cup Golden Flaxseed meal (ground)
6 TBSP Mini chocolate chips

Instructions:  Combine the Honey, Peanut Butter and Vanilla, mix well.  Add the dry ingredients and mix until they are combined and you have a batter like consistency.  Refrigerate for about 30-45 minutes.  Take out of the fridge and roll into 1 inch balls.  Store in an airtight container.

The first time I made these I didn’t refrigerate the mixture and it was quite difficult to roll, but when the ingredients were cold it was so much easier to handle.  I also used regular chocolate chips the first time but found the mini ones blended with the batter better and weren’t as overwhelming in each ball.

This recipe is probably made at least once every couple of weeks in my house.  I carry a Ziploc of these during the week for a mid-day snack or pop one before hitting the gym or a class.  They are perfect for sharing with friends and family and I’ll often bring them over a batch.  I promise, when you have these handy you will stop reaching for cookies and chocolate. There are also a ton of varieties of these that I’ve found with different flavour profiles but this one is classic.  I don’t often have these ingredients readily available in my pantry (except peanut butter!)  so, Bulk Barn is my go to spot to pick up just what I need and not over spend.  It also helps with not having to find storage space which is precious in my little condo.

Hope you enjoyed this one, would love to hear your thoughts!