Pomegranate and Cherry Energy Bites

Please tell me I’m not the only one who feels just a little like a big deal when there’s a business trip on her Outlook calendar.

I know…when you get back to the regular office it’s feels like the sky is falling. And hotel bedspreads (okay, floors too) creep me out. And playing nice after 5:00 is sometimes a chore.

But! Setting the out of office e-mail message feels kind of like running away. And king size hotel beds for one are so biiiiig.

Maybe I’m looking for the positives. I don’t even know.

Clearly, I’m going on a business trip this week. It involves me, my car, one night, clothes that fold without wrinkling (please tell me these exist) and snacks…because I don’t like wondering when food will be in my world again next.

Can I tell you what I love…more than feeling like an independent business lady?

Pomegranate seeds. Seriously. Love. (Enough to forgive the pain that gutting a pomegranate is.)

I’ve been putting pomegranate seeds in everything these past few weeks. I know…I’m not over pumpkin yet. But these little seeds are so much prettier and crunchier. It’s probably a shiny object thing.

I make these energy bites nearly every week. It feels like cheating to blog about what crazy combination of things I’ve stuck together that often…even though I usually want to. But, this time I can’t pass on the chance to convince you to throw pomegranate seeds at a batch. It gives things a juicy crunch (but still hold together).

Also…can we discuss this tree? I can’t not tell you just how much this is freaking me out.

Please tell me fall is sticking around longer. I haven’t had my fill of pomegranate seeds or pumpkin or colored leaves on morning walks. I’m a little afraid of walking into the time warp of a business trip in the fall and coming out to winter snow. It’s just the truth.

Pomegranate and Cherry Energy Bites

1 1/4 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup flaxseed
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
(heaping) 1/4 cup raw almonds, cut in half
(heaping) 1/4 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds (the seeds from about half of a medium sized pomegranate)
1/2 cup almond butter
1/3 cup honey

Combine oats, flaxseed, chocolate chips, almonds, cherries and pomegranate seeds in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add almond butter and honey and stir to coat. Refrigerate for at least one hour. Form into small balls, and store in an airtight container in the fridge.