Carrot, Almond and Raisin Energy Bites

When I can’t fall asleep, the first thing I think about is the exact amount of time left until the alarm will ring. And the sleep time that just keeps dwindling.

Once I’ve accepted the fact that I’ll need to settle for nothing but a ponytail, mascara and coffee (these are the basic essentials. duh.) in the morning, I think about food…about crazy ingredient combinations, pretty plating options and nice words to say here that don’t turn into a run-on sentence (again).

Then I freak out about how little sleep I’ve cornered myself into some more.

I’m sometimes prone to getting out of bed, and writing recipes and sentences on the back of old receipts. I dunno.

I also kick off covers, change pajamas and switch sides of the bed. Just in case a little change makes me sleepy.

But I don’t usually lay in bed and swoon over carrots. Chocolate, maybe. Carrots, rarely. (I could totally have said never here…until last week.)

I’ve been in an adapting mood these days, and energy bites are nearly the most versatile recipe I know. At the base, they are oats, peanut butter, honey and flaxseed. Then, there’s an additional quarter cup (each) of three mix-ins. This sort of feels like a frozen yogurt bar option. It’s overwhelming…until I realize I make these week.after.week.

This week, there’s vegetables in my energy bites! I’m usually a fruit lady…which makes this a pretty big deal for me.

Sweet raisins and raw almonds balance shredded carrots. It’s science.

And the perfect quick breakfast for mornings you need every possible second of extra sleep. Not that I know anything about those.

Carrot, Almond and Raisin Energy Bites

1 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup raw almonds, cut in half
1/4 cup carrots, shredded
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup honey

Combine oats, almonds, shredded carrots (I use a potato peeler to shred them), raisins and flaxseed in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add peanut butter and honey and stir to coat evenly. Refrigerate for one hour. Shape into one inch balls. (This yielded me about 20.) Store in the refrigerator.