Happy Valentine’s Day, loves!

I wish I could say that I made all of these awesome things for you to shower you with…mainly these, these and this. (Can you tell I’m a bit obsessed with this blog?)

But…I’m sorry. I didn’t. But I really, really wanted to, if that counts for anything.

BUT! I made you balls! I mean… balls filled with protein! I mean…balls full of protein stuffed into rubber heart molds!

Hmmm..this isn’t coming out right.

ANYWAYS PEOPLE …these “bites.” They are magical. Full of protein as well as yummy goodness like chia seeds, peanut butter, cinnamon and medjool dates. Sigh, mejool dates. We’ve become somewhat of a “thing” lately. I seriously can’t get enough, even if it takes me ten minutes to individually pluck all the good ones from the bulk bin at Whole Foods. I pity the fool who gets to that date bin after me.

Speaking of dates and pitying the fool…I have no idea what Matt and I are doing to celebrate today, but I also know that we both learned an important lesson last year after I told him, “seriously, we don’t have to do anything.” (But, as any girl knows, that REALLY means “seriously, we don’t have to do anything but you should really still do something.) Come to find out, when men hear women say “seriously, we don’t have to do anything special” men really think that “seriously, we don’t have to do anything special.”

So, write this down, ladies: NEVER say “seriously, we don’t have to do anything special” for Valentine’s Day, your birthday, anniversary, National Peanut Butter Pancakes Day, etc.

You always have to do something special. Even if it is just making peanut butter date balls shaped into hearts for one another. Because nothing says, “I love you” more than a healthy-yet-deeeeeelicious (and crazy easy) homemade snack.*

No Bake Peanut Butter Date Balls
Heavily adapted from Daily Garnish’s Coconut Date Balls

Makes 12-15 bites

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dates, pitted and chopped into bite size pieces
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
• 1/4 cup pepitas
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp salt
• swirl of honey
• 1/4 cup water (you may not need all of it!)

Directions:

1) Line a cookie sheet with wax paper or parchment paper.

2) Place your chopped dates, oats, peanuts, pepitas, chia seeds and cinnamon into a food processor and pulse/spin until everything breaks down and is all nice and crumbly.

3) Add peanut butter, swirl of honey and vanilla. Pulse again, 3-5 times until blended.

4) With the food processor running, slowly pour water through the top spout a bit at a time, just until the mixture becomes wet/a bit sticky.

5) Scoop out portions (mine are about ping-pong ball-sized) with a tablespoon or cookie scoop. Roll into balls and place on lined cookie sheet. Since they can be a little sticky, I usually stick them in the fridge for about an hour before putting them in a sealed container. Or, you could roll them in chopped peanuts or dried coconut – whatever suits your fancy! And hey, if you have a heart ice cube tray from Ikea – totally stuff them into the molds.

These little guys are so adaptable, so feel free to throw in any other ingredient you like. I recommend mini chocolate chips, since it is Valentine’s Day and all and chocolate makes everything better!

*and this dress from Anthropologie. Just sayin’.