Peanut butter balls

We've been making these guys for a year now and Bea loves them so much.  They are fun to make and they freeze well and thaw out pretty fast.  I find them to be a nice quick meal enhancer when what we are eating doesn't please her taste.  Anyway, I thought I'd share them with mamas of other picky eaters.  (We could just make a PB&H sandwich I know - and we do - but a little variety never hurt anyone.) 

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup honey
2 cups powdered milk
1 cup wheat germ

Mix peanut butter, honey, and dry milk together.  Roll out into small balls about the size of a walnut. Roll in wheat germ. Place on cookie sheet and refrigerate until set. Freeze if desired.

I didn't make these up.  I found the original recipe via a circuitous internet search and adapted it.  I need to try some other variations too -- I'm thinking replacing a cup of the milk with a cup of dry oatmeal?
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I wish I had more ideas to share, especially that get her to eat veggies.  Every time I've tried the sneak-it-in type veggie recipes they fall flat.  Presenting gorgeous, well-prepared farm stand veggies elicits appreciation at least, but still not much eating.

Comments

[Beth]

Have you ever tried a variety of little cut-up veggies in an ice cube tray? Weird, I know, but for some reason the little picky eaters in my life really love them this way... The presentation just works (frozen peas in two sections, shredded carrots, etc.).

[Eren]

My oldest two are picky as well. They will eat raw carrots if dipped in honey. Weird? But whatever works. And they will eat etamame (sp?) beans if they get to shell them themselves. Corn on the cob, but not off. And I can usually slip spinach and other small things into pizza with lots and lots of cheese. We do sweet potato fries as an alternative sometimes. Other than that, we're with you. But it is getting better, I think it is partly an age thing. I will try the pb balls today, sounds yummy!

[clarice]

Yumm Amy, I like this healthier version and I wonder what a bit of jelly in the center would be like !! Clarice

[Katie]

Those sound yummy, I'll have to try them with my son. I just posted a recipe for apple banana bran muffins, and I think you could sneak in some zucchini and carrots. They are really tasty.

[cheesehead with sticks]

Oh - thanks for sharing! I have a dd at home who only survives on peanut butter, cream of mushroom soup with hamburger, and chicken nuggets - now I can at least toss a few of these on a plate as a side dish and it won't be like I'm making her a seperate meal or making her starve if she refuses to eat what I make - I still win either way :)

[Amanda]

Those look fabulous, I'm going to make some for my super picky eater this afternoon. Thanks.

[Amy]

Oooooh - I'm so trying this recipe. Sophia's not a picky eater, but like you said, variety is key with toddlers. Thanks for sharing!

[robiewankenobie]

the immersion blender has been a saving grace for us. we blend cooked carrots into black beans for tacos (the color disappears and the tastes blend well). blended spinach works well for tomato based dishes (spaghetti, etc). fruit blends into smoothies and yogurt.

another thing that works well for us are those sandwich toasters. they pop up at thrift stores quite often. we use them to hide blended veggies into cheesy sandwiches.

and yeah, the time change has been excruciating.

[barbara]

these sound yummy, i must try them too, but for myself hehe ;)
my son has an issue with veggies too, although i found that he will eat veggies in their raw state (those that you can eat raw of course). he eats peas since a charlie and lola episode renamed them "green drops" and he will have most vegetables in a blended state. i believe in offering (but not forcing) veggies to him continually, even if he won't eat them yet, he may one day be curious... one of those toddler things ;)

[Jennifer]

Those look great, I will definitely have to try those! Ethan has gone through phases of liking this:
http://www.bolthouse.com/html/cs_green_juice_n.html
You can usually find it in the produce section. Don't let the description deter you, it really just tastes like fruit juice (both husband and son enjoy it). Word of advice though, I would give to her in a non-clear cup the first time because the green color screams vegetables and we wouldn't want to accuse toddlers of judging by apopearance only :)

[Jennifer]

Those look great, I will definitely have to try those! Ethan has gone through phases of liking this:
http://www.bolthouse.com/html/cs_green_juice_n.html
You can usually find it in the produce section. Don't let the description deter you, it really just tastes like fruit juice (both husband and son enjoy it). Word of advice though, I would give to her in a non-clear cup the first time because the green color screams vegetables and we wouldn't want to accuse toddlers of judging by apopearance only :)

[stephanie]

yumm!!

[Angela]

Thanks for sharing. I'm going to give it a go. I've got a picky one here. :)

[Sonya]

Peanut butter - my snack food saviour.

[capello]

um, we have honey in our house. :-)

but they sound good.

[Kristin]

We used to make those all the time when we were kids (and I'm 42 now). Yummy!

[LeeAnn]

My husband is a PB fanatic. He's going to love these!

[Steph]

Yes, my kids LOVE these. Thank goodness they're good for them, the way they disappear around here.

[melanie]

I remember reading once about making brocolli icecream for a desert that also got kids eating vegetables. The recipe actually mixed it with soy ice cream and it sounded good. I don't have kids yet but I thought it was a good idea at the time and plan on trying it when I do have kids.

[Mama Urchin]

Hmm, getting wheat germ in the kids is always good. I might try these to send in the lunch box.

[Michelle]

Those look good. Now I just need to find wheat germ. I think I've seen it in the refrigerated section.

[Toni]

I have a suggestion for sneaking in some veges. Make her a fruit smoothy, something really tasty. Usually adding a banana does the trick. Here's the vege part--throw in a handful of fresh spinach! Noah loves these and drinks them down everytime! hehehe.

[donab]

Wow, my mom used to make these when I was a kid! I loved them, too.

[DaisyCake]

V- Fusion (by V8) makes strawberry and mango and orange/banana drinks - and it is a serving of vegetables!

those peanut butter balls look yummy! I bet you could throw some flax seed in there too to up the healthy quotient!

[Kimberly]

Hi. I stumbled on to your blog a few weeks ago. I'm a chronic lurker, but your PB post made we want to comment. Well, that and the fact that I'm an Austin mama, too.

Another version is, 1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup honey, one cup chocolate Spirulina powder ( more protien! ) and one cup oats.

I have a gluten free friend who substitutes quinoa cereal flakes for the oats. It's yummy, too.