Peanut Butter Fingers

Living a Life Fueled by Healthy Food and Fitness

Navigation
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Who’s Who
    • All About NASM
    • Disclaimer
    • Wedding
  • Recipe Index
  • Workouts
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy + Baby #2
    • Pregnancy + Baby #3
    • Miscarriages
  • Baby
  • Shop + Favs
    • My Amazon Shop
    • Codes + Discounts
    • Books
    • Blogging
  • Travel
    • Orlando & Florida
    • Blog Travel

Vegan Protein Balls + Wednesday in a Nutshell

May 9, 2019 by Julie 58 Comments

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

This post is sponsored by Biochem. 

Today’s blog post is a day-in-the-life style post that recaps our day yesterday with a focus on food, fitness and family and includes a recipe for a delicious on-the-go snack: Vegan Protein Balls!

Hey friends! I’m popping in this morning with a peek into our day yesterday! Sometimes I get caught up in feeling like day-in-the-life style blog posts are a thing of the past since Instagram Stories made their debut and many people opt to share peeks into their lives on that platform but for me, blogging will always have my heart. It also allows me to snap a pic, move on with my day and recap everything later which keeps me off my phone and more present in my life. I’m curious to know what you guys prefer — day-in-the-life blog posts or IG Stories for day-in-the-life stuff? I’m all about that bloooog life!

Morning

My day yesterday began around 5 a.m. and kicked off with a sweet potato muffin and coffee on the couch along with my latest small group study. I then grabbed the mason jar chia seed pudding I prepped the night before for breakfast and made my way into my home office to get some work done before the boys were up for the day.

I began working on Ryder’s 10 month baby update blog post and replied to some time-sensitive emails before I heard Ryder making noise on the monitor. Mornings are always a little easier when Ryder wakes up first because I’m able to nurse him and get him dressed without a rambunctious three-year-old vying for his attention!

As I was nursing Ryder, Chase woke up, so I brought Ryder into his big brother’s room once he was done nursing and set him up with some toys while Chase and I read a few books before breakfast. We then moved into my bedroom so the boys could play together while I got dressed before making our way downstairs. (In case you were wondering, yes, we have toys stashed all over our house. The things I never thought I’d do before I had kids…)

I set the boys up with breakfast in the kitchen as I made Chase’s lunch and then did a little vegetable chopping for dinner prep before it was time to load up the car and drive to preschool drop-off.

Once Chase was settled at school, Ryder and I headed to the YMCA.

While Ryder had fun with toys and baby friends in childcare, I completed a shoulders + triceps workout that looked like this:

We were in and out of the gym in right around 45 minutes and by the time we made it home, Ryder was ready for a snack. He dug into some leftover pancakes and broccoli (quite the combination, huh?) before nursing and going down for his morning nap.

While he slept, I made myself a protein-packed post-workout snack and whipped up a batch of vanilla peanut butter vegan protein balls.

The base of the recipe was a combination of oats and Biochem 100% Plant Protein. I first became familiar with Biochem when I saw some of their protein powders on sale through Thrive Market and was excited when they sent me a few of their newest protein powders to try. Their vanilla plant protein quickly became one of my favs!

It’s made with three fermented, highly sustainable clean plant-based protein ingredients — shiitake mushrooms, organic pumpkin seeds and water lentils — and only non-GMO ingredients. I’ve used it in my vegan protein overnight oats as well as protein balls and protein pancakes and thought it was great.

But back to the protein balls! I played off the protein powder’s vanilla flavor and enhanced it with a splash of vanilla extract along with plenty of peanut butter to hold everything together and the end result was a sweet-but-salty flavor explosion!

If you want to give them a try here’s the recipe:

Vegan Protein Balls

Peanut Butter Vanilla Vegan Protein Balls

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Vegan Protein Balls

Vegan Protein Balls

  • Author: Julie
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 0 min
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 scoops Biochem 100% Plant Protein Vanilla Flavor
  • 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
  • 1 cup natural peanut butter (drippy nut butter works best!)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1–2 tablespoons unsweetened vanilla almond milk (begin with 1 tablespoon and gradually add more if needed)
  • pinch of pink Himalayan salt

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until a very thick, slightly crumbly dough begins to form.
  2. Use a cookie scoop or a large spoon to scoop a spoonful of dough into your hands. Roll the dough between two hands to form a ball.
  3. Form the remaining dough into balls and store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

Using a natural peanut butter is key in this recipe! You want it to be a little drippy. Since the textures of peanut butters vary quite a bit, your peanut butter will impact how much almond milk you need to use to get your protein ball dough moist enough to stick together. Start with the smallest amount of almond milk and add a tiny bit at a time, taking care not to add too much or you’ll get a gooey mess!

Keywords: protein balls, protein bites, vegan protein balls, vegan protein bites, peanut butter protein bites, peanut butter protein balls

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @pbfingers on Instagram

I ate two protein balls at the computer and worked up until Ryder was awake again and ready for some playtime! Ryder loves crawling after anything and everything these days, so I rolled a ball around for him and then he crawled all over the kitchen floor after a train toy until it was time to leave for preschool pickup.

Afternoon

Once we were all back home, we ate an afternoon snack on a blanket in the backyard while we threw a ball for Sadie and played “I spy” before nap time.

Both boys went down for their afternoon naps at the same time yesterday (a feat that will never ever be taken for granted over here!) and I went into overdrive mode while they slept. I grabbed a quick shower before making myself a quick lunch to eat while I worked and did a load of laundry.

Once the boys were awake, we headed off to a local park for a play date with friends and some fun in the sun! I cannot believe Chase only has two weeks left of preschool before school is out and summertime is here. I see a lot more park time and play dates in the near future!

Evening

We made it back home around the same time Ryan got off work and I quickly cooked dinner while Ryan played with the boys. I made Brittany’s recipe for butternut squash dal but prepared it on the stove top using a package of frozen butternut squash cubes to save time.

I also added a little coconut milk to my version and we loved it!

After dinner, the rest of the night passed by in a blur of baths, bed time and straightening up the house. I missed diving into a book last night and would love to hear any recommendations you might have for my next read. I finished reading I’m Fine and Neither Are You late last week and really liked it and I’m now on the lookout for something with a little mystery and suspense.

As for the rest of the week, it’s business as usual around here today with the whole preschool thang, but tomorrow I’m watching a friend’s kids and then we’re planning to grill out with neighbors so it should be a good one. I hope you all have a great Thursday!

Be sure to follow PBFingers on Instagram and Facebook!

I'd love to connect with you! I am always so grateful when you let me know you tried one of my recipes or workouts and tag me in your photos or updates. Thank you so much!!!

Filed Under: Day In The Life Tagged With: breakfast, day in the life, dinner, lunch, protein balls, protein recipe, protein recipes

About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

« Vegetarian Chickpea Curry
Things I’m Loving Friday #279 »

Comments

  1. Vera says

    May 9, 2019 at 6:03 am

    Day-in-the-life blog posts please!!!
    I don’t do any social media!

    Reply
  2. Hilary says

    May 9, 2019 at 6:39 am

    Day in the life. I don’t have social media.

    Reply
  3. Alexis deZayas says

    May 9, 2019 at 6:58 am

    Have you read the Mother in Law by Sally Hepworth? It was so good!!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      May 9, 2019 at 6:59 am

      I haven’t! Thank you for the suggestion!

      Reply
  4. Tara says

    May 9, 2019 at 7:30 am

    I recently read and enjoyed these books: An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks, Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman, and All These Beautiful Strangers by Elizabeth Klehfoth. They’re all suspenseful and plot-twisty!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      May 9, 2019 at 7:48 am

      All These Beautiful Strangers was so good!! I haven’t read the others & will check them out. Thanks!!

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        May 9, 2019 at 8:28 am

        I am reading another Greer Hendricks book, The Wife Between Us, and it’s a great thriller so far! Let us know what you choose! No Exit was also a great thriller I read earlier this year.

        Reply
        • Sara Wilson says

          May 9, 2019 at 9:59 am

          Is no exit by Taylor Adams? The Wife Between Us is SO good!

          Reply
          • Colleen says

            May 10, 2019 at 9:59 am

            Hi Sara! Yes, it is by Taylor Adams. I actually posted a review on my blog if you’d like to check it out:
            https://bmoregirlreads.com/2019/03/book-review-no-exit.html

            Reply
  5. Melissa says

    May 9, 2019 at 7:59 am

    those pink shoes are so cute, what brand are they??

    Reply
    • Julie says

      May 9, 2019 at 8:06 am

      Adidas! They’re the swift run sneakers! So so so comfy.

      Reply
    • Julie says

      May 9, 2019 at 11:12 am

      i was just sending a link to another reader so figured i’d follow up and share one with you as well just in case you’re having trouble finding the exact pair/color: http://bit.ly/2VtxkVR definitely size DOWN because they run big!!

      Reply
  6. Laura says

    May 9, 2019 at 8:02 am

    How long does Ryder actually sit on the blanket?!? It’s exhausting taking my 10 month old out on a blanket because she immediately makes a beeline to the grass to try and get in a nice green snack lol. (But we love being outside so I just enjoy the exercise)
    Agree with others…I enjoy reading day in the life posts, I do not care much for watching insta stories.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      May 9, 2019 at 8:05 am

      Snacks help!! And he LOVES watching Sadie run and fetch a ball so that kept him stationary for a bit but he definitely crawled off and into the grass a bunch!

      Reply
  7. Megan says

    May 9, 2019 at 8:34 am

    Day in the life posts! I don’t do any social media.

    Reply
  8. Nikki says

    May 9, 2019 at 9:10 am

    Day in the life posts – Instagram stories are overwhelming!

    Reply
  9. Megan B. says

    May 9, 2019 at 9:12 am

    The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides is next on my list. My mom said she couldn’t put it down and that the ending was bananas!

    Reply
  10. Lauren says

    May 9, 2019 at 9:14 am

    I really love your day in the life posts! More so than instagram stories. Thanks 🙂

    Reply
  11. Viloshni Govender says

    May 9, 2019 at 9:35 am

    Your day-in-the-life posts are my favourite blog posts of yours. I enjoy your insta-stories as well but prefer the blog posts. Have a great day!

    Reply
  12. Alaina says

    May 9, 2019 at 9:38 am

    Day in the life wins for sure!?

    Btw, I LOVE those sneakers….can you share details about them? I have bunions and looking for a new sneaker. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      May 9, 2019 at 11:11 am

      yes! they’re adidas swift run sneakers — here’s a link: http://bit.ly/2VtxkVR they run very large, so i’d size 1/2 to a full size down!

      Reply
  13. Jackie says

    May 9, 2019 at 9:43 am

    I love the old fashioned day in the life blog posts. I am usually reading from my desk at work so the blog format works better than being on my phone with audio. Keep ’em coming! 🙂

    Reply
  14. Julie says

    May 9, 2019 at 9:47 am

    I definitely prefer blog posts! I actually hate videos on instagram and prefer it for photos only! I’m usually only browsing instagram at times when sound wouldn’t be appropriate

    Reply
    • Julie says

      May 9, 2019 at 11:08 am

      i totally get that! i often skip over videos on IG as well b/c of the sound.

      Reply
  15. Sara Wilson says

    May 9, 2019 at 9:48 am

    Your day in the life blogs are my absolute favorite! I gave up Instagram! I do look at your Instagram every now and then but I can’t see any stories or videos. I briefly tried Instagram but it took way too much time and honestly, it was just too much for me. It made me feel less than way too often.

    I really enjoyed The Lost Night! A good mystery!

    Right now I am reading Maybe You Should Talk to Someone and it is so, so interesting.

    Reply
  16. Cindy says

    May 9, 2019 at 10:27 am

    Day in the life blog please. I don’t do social media as it is to overwhelming to me. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      May 9, 2019 at 11:08 am

      social media majorly overwhelms me, too! i honestly don’t think i’d be on it at all if i didn’t feel the need to do so for the blog/business purposes. i feel ya!!

      Reply
  17. Sarah @ Sweet Miles says

    May 9, 2019 at 10:52 am

    Ok so mushrooms in the protein powder – how is the overall taste? I’m very intrigued by these ingredients! Ha! I second the day in the life posts – always fun to read. They were the first posts of yours I started reading YEARS ago when I was bored at work and was just starting to dabble in blogging myself!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      May 9, 2019 at 11:07 am

      you cannot taste the mushrooms at all!! i’m also very picky about protein powders and this one has a very strong and sweet vanilla flavor.

      Reply
  18. Josie says

    May 9, 2019 at 11:09 am

    Another vote for Day in the Life blog posts! I love Instagram, but the stories don’t stay and it’s hard to follow along. I feel like it’s better for quick ‘pop ins’.

    Reply
  19. Mary Katherine says

    May 9, 2019 at 11:15 am

    Thanks for the recipe! As a teacher I’m always looking for high protein snacks that are easy to eat on the go!

    Random question: any tips on how to stay awake while reading at night? I have three littles (4, 21 months and 6 months) and by the time I get my oldest settled in and do everything I need to get ready for the next day, I can’t keep my eyes open, even when I’m reading something I enjoy! I love reading but night time is the only time I can squeeze it in.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      May 9, 2019 at 11:26 am

      i also only read at night before bed and the key for me is getting in bed as early as possible! like crazy early sometimes if the kids go to bed at a decent time — i’m basically in bed most nights around 8:30 p.m.! we don’t watch tv much at all so all of our “unwinding” time is usually spent in bed talking and reading. also, i wasn’t able to read nearly as much at night until ryder began sleeping better so reading definitely ebbs and flows around here along with baby sleep!!

      Reply
  20. Heather says

    May 9, 2019 at 12:07 pm

    I love the day-in-the-life posts. I am not a fan of videos on Instagram (who has time to watch all that?). I occasionally scroll through the photos on Instagram, but even that takes a lot of time. I much prefer blog posts that I can read when I have time.

    Reply
  21. Jen Z says

    May 9, 2019 at 12:22 pm

    DAY IN THE LIFE FOR SURE!!! They are my fav 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie says

      May 9, 2019 at 12:27 pm

      thanks for weighing in!! they’re some of my favorites to write and they’re definitely my fav to read on other blogs as well 🙂

      Reply
  22. Courtney says

    May 9, 2019 at 12:48 pm

    Have you read The Banker’s Wife yet? I really liked that one and it’s definitely suspenseful 🙂 The Mother-in-law is also on my must-read list because I love the author!

    Reply
  23. Christina says

    May 9, 2019 at 1:09 pm

    Blog post over IG story, DEFINITELY.

    I’m not often on my IG during the day so I miss things ~ plus I like seeing everything together/feel as though bloggers put more thought into this content and reflections that I find interesting.

    Reply
  24. Emily J says

    May 9, 2019 at 1:11 pm

    Hi Julie! I much prefer day in the life blog posts. I only follow friends and family on Instagram so I’ve never seen blogger stories before. Thank you!

    Reply
  25. Donna says

    May 9, 2019 at 1:29 pm

    DAY IN THE LIFE BLOG POSTS FOR SURE! I have been a long time reader and just love reading these! I don’t know why……HAHA—-but I do.

    I am currently reading THE GOOD DAUGHTER by KARIN SLAUGHTER and it is very good. Mystery/Thriller. Also anything by James Patterson is always a win!

    Reply
  26. Steph says

    May 9, 2019 at 1:59 pm

    Have you read Where the Crawdads Sing yet? I’m 3/4 of the way through and really enjoying it so far.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      May 9, 2019 at 2:50 pm

      I have!! That book was wonderful. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time!

      Reply
  27. Remi says

    May 9, 2019 at 3:53 pm

    I wanted to share this recipe with you since it seems like you’ve been gravitating towards vegetarian meals… this has been one of my absolute favorites lately! The flavor of the mango on top really brings it all together. https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/simple-coconut-quinoa-and-lentil-curry-with-lime-mango/

    Reply
    • Julie says

      May 9, 2019 at 4:08 pm

      thank you for sharing! that sounds right up my alley!

      Reply
  28. Laura says

    May 9, 2019 at 3:54 pm

    Can you link the blanket you use in the yard? Is it waterproof? I need something that we can sit on after our sprinklers run!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      May 9, 2019 at 4:12 pm

      it’s water-resistant but great in dewy grass! here’s a link: http://bit.ly/2Ha0jE1 we love it and have had it since chase was a baby so its held up really well!

      Reply
  29. Karen says

    May 9, 2019 at 4:10 pm

    I much prefer Day in the life Blogs!!!

    Reply
  30. Sara says

    May 9, 2019 at 6:23 pm

    I got so many book recommendations from these comments! Yay! And my old school soul must admit that I love how everyone chose blogs over insta stories!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      May 9, 2019 at 8:27 pm

      ME TOO. you guys are my people! <3

      Reply
  31. Valerie says

    May 9, 2019 at 6:53 pm

    Day in the life blog post!

    Question….when do you clean the house? You are always so busy!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      May 9, 2019 at 8:27 pm

      ughhhh our house is never sparkling, that’s for sure! i commit to a 10-15 min clean each night after the boys go to bed and that’s crucial for our kitchen/family room. other areas i just do what i can when they’re awake. in general, i think our house is fairly tidy (now chase knows he has to put away his own toys) but i need a better system and am often overwhelmed by the deep clean stuff that gets neglected.

      Reply
  32. Amy says

    May 9, 2019 at 7:27 pm

    I’ve been reading your blog for yeeears and always love your day-in-the-life posts! Blogging is cooler than insta! Don’t stop! 😉

    Reply
    • Julie says

      May 9, 2019 at 8:25 pm

      ha!! i MUCH prefer blogging and reading blogs to instagram! <3 and thank you for reading for so long!!

      Reply
  33. Kaitlin says

    May 9, 2019 at 8:33 pm

    I love the day in the life posts! Keep it up!

    Reply
  34. Erica says

    May 9, 2019 at 11:19 pm

    Hi Julie! Please continue doing Day in the life on the blog, rather than instagram. I don’t have social media because it overwhelms me and I struggle with the “comparison trap”. It actually makes me feel better that other readers don’t have social media either-I get crazy looks from people when/if it comes up that I’m 33 and have never had Facebook or instagram and probably never will. Old school blogging for life!

    Reply
  35. Eugenia Martin says

    May 10, 2019 at 2:29 am

    Hi Julie!

    I’m reading The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn and am really enjoying it. It’s going to be movie in October of this year. I also just finished Then She Was Gone and Watching You, both by Lisa Jewell and liked them both 🙂

    Reply
  36. Shelby says

    May 10, 2019 at 2:42 am

    Blog posts all day any day! I don’t have any social media and it always makes me sad when Instagram/ Facebook becomes the platform of choice. Love your blog Julie! ♡

    Reply
  37. Correen says

    May 10, 2019 at 3:35 am

    I love blog posts about day in the life! Reading allows me to comprehend at my own pace, rather than be overwhelmed by Instagram stories ? PLus, you share the best recipes! I still love the kale Caesar salad you shared from Pinch of Yum.

    Reply
  38. Mary says

    May 11, 2019 at 11:25 am

    Hi Julie, did you purchase the 6 package of card games at Walmart? Would love to buy them. Thanks.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to three energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
NEVER MISS A POST!
FacebookTwitterInstagramPinterestBloglovin
Follow

Search

Recent Fashion Finds

Beauty Favorites

Items I Swear By

Shop Our Kid Favorites

Shop My Baby Essentials

Quick Links

  • Favorite Posts
  • Recipe Index
  • Workouts
  • Fashion
  • Pregnancy/Baby
  • Family

Recent Posts

  • Week of Weeknight Meals: March 2023
  • Things I’m Loving Friday #462
  • Meeting Luke and Visiting Family in Florida
  • Cinnamon Ice Cream
  • All the Books I’ve Read So Far in 2023

Categories

Archives

Disclaimer

I am not a registered dietitian. My blog is simply a documentation of my life. The views I express are mine alone, based on my own experiences, and should not be taken as medical advice. I DO NOT post everything I eat. Though I am a certified personal trainer, the workouts I post may not be right for you. Please speak with a medical professional before making any changes to your current routine.

Affiliates

Please note that affiliate links may pop up on PBF from time to time. I greatly appreciate your support!
Privacy Policy

Copyright � 2013 Peanut Butter Fingers / Julie Fagan. All Rights Reserved.
Blog Designed by SWOON CREATIVE