Fall Flavors: Pumpkin and Dark Chocolate Energy Bites

We are feeling Inspired by the flavors off Fall!  Embracing seasonal flavors is a great way to get variety in your diet and enjoy fruits & veggies at their peak.  One veggie we have our eye on in October is pumpkin.  

In our region, pumpkin season begins in September and and lasts through November.  Pumpkin boosts some scary GOOD health benefits:

• Pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamin A, which is important to preserve vision, fight infections, maintain healthy skin and bones, and regulate cell growth and division.
• Pumpkin is also a great source of potassium, which helps our muscles contract, regulate fluids, maintain normal blood pressure, and balance minerals in and out of body cells.
• Pumpkin is also low in calories and a good source of fiber!
• And don't toss those pumpkin seeds!  Pumpkin seeds are packed with protein, fiber and many other minerals, such as iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, zinc, potassium, folate, niacin and selenium.

Pack more pumpkin into your everyday with Dietitian Nutritionist approved recipe:

Pumpkin and Dark Chocolate Energy Bites!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups dry, uncooked oatmeal 
• 15 oz. all-natural Pumpkin Puree
• 3/4 cup all-natural Peanut butter, or Almond butter
• 2/3 cup pure maple syrup or raw honey
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 2-4 Tbsp ground flax seeds or chia seeds
• 1 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions: 

• Combine all ingredients together in a large bowl.
• Roll into balls of about 1″ in diameter.  A cookie scoop to get a nice uniform size
• Place on a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper & freeze one hour
• Store in an airtight container and keep frozen for 2 weeks, or refrigerated for up to 1 week.

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