double chocolate pumpkin protein balls

This season is my favorite. A season of cool weather, family & friends, and lots of travel and celebration. And although I am welcoming it with an open heart, it's also a season of growth, strength and testing for Mr. Charming and I. As I mentioned before, on keeping you all up to date on our family journey, we met with the OB again today who has turned us over to a fertility specialist center. We've done all the "normal" tests we've can, I tried a year on hormone therapy, bringing us to just over 2 years TTC and it's now time to step it up. I will admit today was hard. Fear, frustration and sadness are all trying to creep in. But I know better. I know I serve a greater God who has all of these moments as part of His grander plan for us. So today, I could have wallowed and napped (which I realllly wanted to do.) Or I could have celebrated life today. 

I chose the second. I slipped on my shoes and got outside with my fur baby Charlie and made delicious protein balls to take with me to nosh. Because yummy nosh = smiles. And because hormones = chocolate So I opted for a healthier spin on chocolate instead of bingeing (much controversy on how to spell this word, haha) on dark chocolate squares. We always have a choice. 

Getting into the kitchen and getting outside are very therapeutic for me. Since my touring and Hollywood days I tend to become introverted if I'm by myself for too long. Working from home is a blessing but it can shut you off from the world far too often, so I make it a point to get out and see people, move my body and talk to God outside. 

It's amazing what thirty minutes of sunshine and whipping up new, yummy food can do for a girl. I'd been seeing a million protein packed recipes and I'd also been eyeing my stash of pumpkin seeds that I'd been wanting to incorporate into something. With the mix of my need to make everything pumpkin, my current need for chocolate and a desire to make a snack that was hike-friendly, my Double Chocolate Pumpkin Protein Balls were born. 

These came out so good. They almost have a fudge like consistency, so I only had a couple. They would also be a GREAT addition as a party dessert for the holidays. I am LOVING pumpkin seeds right now. They are a FANTASTIC food to help detox your body. Gluten-free oats also help cleanse my system by adding fiber into my diet that is primarily protein and veggie based. 

SoyNut Butter is a non-gmo, nut free alternative to nut butters for those who can't tolerate nuts, while still offering the same nutty, roasted flavor. The soybeans are also packed with protein, meaning you don't need to use a protein powder in these balls to get your protein in. 
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Ingredients:
1/2 Chocolate SoyNut Butter - enter to win a free jar!
1 C. Gluten-Free Oats
1/4 C. Pumpkin Seeds 
1/3-2/3 C. Organic Honey (It varies on dryness, I like mine "fudgier")
1 Tsp. Organic Vanilla
1/4 C. Unsweetened Cocoa  Powder 
Ground Chia & Flaxseed Optional for additional nutrition benefits

Ingredients:
Put all the delicious ingredients in a bowl, mix well, chill for 20-30 minutes, form balls with hands, enjoy. They store for up to a week in a glass airtight container. 

Once chilled I tossed a few in a bag and headed out to explore the fall scenery with my Charlie bear. He thought they looked super yummy too! But he noshed on dehydrated chicken instead. ;) 

What are your favorite easy-to-grab hiking treats?

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This is a sponsored post.  I received free product and compensation from Soy Nut Butter Company in exchange for my recipe creation. Although this post is sponsored, all opinions, as well as the photography, are my own, as authenticity is the hallmark of the Nosh and Nurture brand.