Almond Joy Energy Bites (No bake and Gluten Free)

Hello from Nationals!  My favorite memory of Halloween is the mini almond joys.  Oh my goodness, I could eat half a dozen of those in a heartbeat.  Now, I can have them in a healthy form!  But before I get to these energy bites, I want to thank you for all your sweet comments.  Seriously, you make my day.

Icing my hand does not make my day. (Icing cupcakes does ... But I can't do that right now.)

Ice hurts!  I know it's supposed to reduce swelling and pain, but, wow, my hand hurts worse after I ice it. I'd like to think I have a higher pain tolerance!  However, all athletes use ice when they hurt something because they know the pain is worth the quicker recovery. (Note to self; pick up games of volleyball do not result in quicker recovery. :)

I don't like the ice on my hand right now but I'm grateful something so simple makes such a difference. As I was thinking about this (I usually kill my 20 minutes of ice time on pinterest, but tonight, I just laid on the couch) I realized for me right now, grace is like that ice. It hurts me to give it. Isn't that terrible?  I don't like giving people grace or the benefit of the doubt or a smile when I feel like being rude. It hurts my pride to be gracious sometimes. But, it always makes me feel better. That's not ever a good reason to do something, but in this case, it not only blesses the person, but it lets Jesus shine through me and keep molding my heart. That's something that has popped up again and again in my bible times - letting Jesus mold my heart. The act of getting my heart to a place where if has no will and yields to Jesus. Where my life is given to God to interrupt and mold as He chooses. It's made me realize if I can't be responsible in the little things like grace, then there is something wrong with my relationship with Christ. That thought hurts, too, but if I respond to it, it will make me better. 

So, as I sit here trying to recreate Antarctica for my hand, I'm hoping to get rid of the Antarctica around my heart and let God melt and mold it as He chooses. 

I'm also eating the last of these energy bites. They're the only redeeming part of icing my hand:)

These are incredible. They truly taste like almond joys - but they're healthy!  The honey is the sweetener and binder, but not the dominant flavor. It's the coconut and chocolate chips that take center stage here.  The coconut shreds make these chewy and if you like coconut, feel free to add extra. My favorite part is the mini chocolate chips. First, they're mini!  I mean, what is not to love?  And second, they're chocolate!  Seriously, what is not to love?  

And these are gluten free, if you use certified oats. The perfect snack or dessert and they come together in five minutes. Totally worth icing my hand.

Almond Joy Energy Bites
Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life
Yield: 12 bites

1 cup quick oats (divided) (use gluten free certified oats to ensure this is gluten free)
1/2 cup coconut shreds, sweetened
1/2 cup almonds (I used slivered)
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Using a small food processor, grind 1/2 cup oats into a flour (or close to.)  Add almonds and pulse until finely chopped.  Add coconut shreds and remaining half cup oats and pulse once or twice. Pour in coconut oil and honey and pulse until mixture forms a ball. Stir in chocolate chips. Roll into 8-10 uniform balls and serve. Store at room temp or in refrigerator.