Coffee & Hugs: A Lifestyle Blog

No Bake Peanut Butter Energy Balls

So there is NO denying my sweet tooth!  I have tried everything that I can to get rid of it, but it simply won't go away.. how rude, right?!  So sometimes I have to get clever and make something that gets my sweet tooth, but is somewhat healthy.

My one coworker brought in these AMAZING no bake peanut butter energy balls and I was HOOKED!  She put some flaxseed in them, which you totally couldn't tell that it was in there.  However, I usually don't have that on hand.  So I make mine without it!  Here is her recipe that she graciously shared with me and I use OVER and OVER again!

There is really no "right" way to make these no bake peanut butter energy balls!  If you want to use almond butter or cashew butter instead of peanut butter.. go ahead!  (You may just have to play around with the mixture of oatmeal to ensure it isn't too wet).  You want to put dried cherries in there?  BAM!  Throw them in!  I put a little bit more chocolate chips in there than what other recipes call for... But I told you that I had a sweet tooth!

No Bake Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Ingredients

1.  1/2 cup peanut butter
2. 3 tbsp honey
3. 1/4 tsp vanilla
4. Dash of salt
5. 1 1/4 cup oatmeal (I use Quaker Instant Oats)
6. 1/2 cup chocolate chips**
7. 1/3 cup raisins (optional) 

The great thing about this recipe is that YOU can make it however you want!  And it is completely NO BAKE!!  All you need is one bowl, and a container or nonstick surface!

Sometimes, I will just place parchment paper in the bottom of a tupperware container and then stack the energy balls on top.  Layer of energy balls, layer of parchment paper, layer of energy balls, layer of parchment paper.. and so on.  This way, I don't have to take up a bunch of room in my refrigerator!

Well I hope that you enjoyed this recipe of my favorite no bake peanut butter energy balls!  Make sure that you pin this to your Pinterest board for future use!!



Thanks for stopping by!

💓-Ashley

I *may* have a slight obsession with my striped knit blazer!  There is NO denying it!! I also love to have one piece of clothing that I can wear numerous times!  So here I have rounded up a couple different and unique options for awesome layered blazer outfits!

Look 1:  Layered with a Hoodie and Sneakers

Look 2:  Layered with a Belt and Pumps

Look 3: Layered with a Chambray Shirt

Look 4:  Layered with your Favorite Graphic Tee

Look 5: With Knit Joggers and Pumps

Look 6:  With Knit Joggers and Sneakers

This post may contain affiliate links for your shopping convenience.  You can read more about my disclosures here. 


I don't know about you.. but when I am running out of the door at 6am (or 6pm) before a shift.. I usually forget ALL of my vitamins!!  Well not anymore!  I get my [much needed] coffee AND my probiotics ALL in ONE with this probiotic-infused coffee!!

Did you know that there is a coffee that is infused with probiotics?! I didn't until I heard about @drinkvitacup ! 

It is a medium-blend coffee that is infused with vitamins and minerals including probiotics, aloe vera, and vitamins B1, B5, B6, B9, and B12! This coffee saves time, tastes great, and makes me feel good with noticable more energy! Oh, and it helps with immunity and the promotion of gut health with the probiotics! It's a win-win! 

It is compatible with most pod coffee machines like Keurigs!



Help your immunity, help your gut health.. feel better with this cup of coffee!! 

Grab yours here!! 

Thanks for stopping by!

💓- Ashley

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. You can see more about my disclosures here.

Change your Shoes, Change your Look!

Look 1:  Sneakers

Look 2:  Pumps

Sports Bras

1. Core 10  | 2. Tek Gear  | 3. Champion  | 4. Nike  | 5. Nike  | 6. Syrokan | 7. Gaiam | 8. Champion 

Happy Friday!!  I'm taking a step away from the fitness tips, and talking about SPORTS BRAS!  Ladies, you know if you don't have a good sports bra, and you're trying to work it.. it just doesn't work!  So today, I will be talking about different sports bras and which ones work best with different workouts!!

Sports Bras are described by the impact in which your activity you will be doing.  Most likely, low impact, medium impact, or high impact!  If you are blessed with a larger chest, then I would recommend at least a medium impact sports bras.  Those girls need support!

I wear a sports bra everyday.  Being a nurse, and all the physical aspects of nursing, it is just easier for me to wear a sports bra.  I wear #3 all day at work, and even when working out!  It is my absolute FAVORITE!

Low Impact

Low impact sports bras are for those activities that are more low impact!  Yoga and Pilates are great examples of where you would want a low impact sports bra.  Also, if you like gentle walking in the neighborhood or treadmill, you could get away with it.

1. Core 10
2. Tek Gear

Medium Impact 

I love medium impact sports bras!  I am not the thinnest person around and feel like the high impact squeezes my extra skin and gives we weird lumps.  So I wear medium impact!  I wear this Champion sports bra every day!  They hold up well in the wash, and hold my girls in!!  I wear this for running and lifting!

3. Champion 
4. Nike 

High Impact

High impact sports bras are for those activities that the girls will be bouncing a little bit more.  Running or boxing is a great example of more high impact activities.  My sister, Lindsay, is a marathon runner and wears these Nike sports bras to run.
5. Nike 
6. Syrokan 

Strappy

Sometimes you just want to wear something cute.  Am I right?!  Also, I don't know about you.. but I just sit around in my workout clothes hoping that it will motivate me to work out.  So strappy sports bras are for YOU!  They have various degrees of impact, so you will have to see if you can go running in them!
7:  Gaiam 
8. Champion 


I hope that you found a great sports bra for whatever activity you choose!  Thanks for stopping by!

💓- Ashley

How to Wear a Blazer - For Spring

This post may contain affiliate links for you convenience.  Which mean I may receive compensation if you make a purchase through one of my links.  Please see my disclosure here.

I love me a great knit blazer!  You know, the ones that feel like a comfy sweatshirt, but look polished?  Yes!  Those ones!! Well you don't have to just wear them in the fall and winter.  You can easily transition them into spring, as well!  Here I am going to show you how to wear a blazer, various ways, and all spring-appropriate!

Look 1: Butter Denim + Ruffle Tank + Pumps

Here is the first way I am going to show you how to wear a blazer!  This would be appropriate for a business-casual work event, or an evening out with your girlfriends!  I love these pumps and how they instantly make any look more trendy!  They are so comfortable (for a pump).

Look 2: Shorts + Graphic Tee + Pumps

Look 3:  T- Shirt + Butter Denim + Sneakers

Look 4:  Boyfriend Chinos + Pumps

This post contains commissioned links.  Meaning if you click a link and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission from the retailer at no additional cost to you!  You can read more regarding my disclosures here.

International Women's Day

Happy International's Women's Day!! Friday, March 8, 2019 is International Women’s Day!  With this, Jane will be celebrating this day with a three day even from March 6- March 8.  If you didn’t know, I have a deep love for Jane.  I also have a deep love for supporting women in all avenues of life, and supporting small businesses.  Here are me and some of my favorite ladies, celebrating LIFE!

• Did you know that 88% of ALL sellers on Jane are the owners of their small business?
• This equates to over 2,000 sellers which are all boss ladies!!
• Jane also believe in little ol’ me, and has empowered me to be me my own boss lady by this blog!  For that I am forever grateful!

#StrongLikeYou

Extended Sizing at Jane 

How to Style Black Jeans

This post does contain affiliate links for your convenience.  Which means I may be compensated if you make a purchase.  Please read my disclosures here.

I absolutely LOVE these black jeans!  They are so comfortable, have so much stretch, and have stayed their true color in many washes!!   And quickly realized how versatile these really were!  I can dress them up with a blazer, or dress them down with some booties!  Here I am going to show you different ways of how to style black jeans!  I recommend sizing down on these jeans, because they do stretch out!

Look 1:  Peplum Sweater and Flats

Look 2:  Pattern Mixing with a Blazer

Look 3:  Faux Leather Jacket and Pumps

I think this is my all time favorite look!  I love the look of the faux leather jacket with the stripes and pumps, styled with the black jeans!  Add in a top knot that is on fleek, and your date night just got a little hotter!!

If you want to know how to do a top knot, you can check out my top knot tutorial here.

4. Half-Tucked Striped Tee and Pumps

Look 5:  Denim Jacket, Booties, and a Scarf

Look 6:  A Graphic Tee and a Knit Blazer

A funny graphic tee just makes me laugh!  Especially this one!  I love how a knit blazer and pumps can instantly glam up any outfit! 

You can see how many ways you can style black jeans!  I hope that you found a couple ways to for you to style black jeans.  Which one is your favorite?!

Thanks for stopping by!

💓- Ashley

This post may contain affiliate links.  Meaning I will be earn a small commission for linking these here for your convenience.  Please see my disclosure here.

Before I buy something, especially a pair of shoes, I want to ensure that I will actually WEAR them!  I don't want to spend $50 and have the shoes sit in my closet.  However, if I am going to wear them again and again.. then $50 is a steal!  Also, check on their main website, because I have seen a $10 off coupon work for these beauts!

This ONE pair of pumps will transition you all through spring and summer!  These are SO cute, SO comfortable (for a pair of pumps), and will go with practically anything!

Look 1: Tie-front Tank and Cropped Jeans 

This look is all about polished and casual style!  This tank will also be a HUGE trend for the spring and summer!  These waffle knit, tie-front tops were all of the internet in the winter; so I am expecting no different in the spring and summer!  The top is super comfortable, super cute, and very affordable!  I LOVE the pumps with this outfit to make it look more polished!

Look 2:  Graphic Tee, Blazer, and Shorts

Look 3: A Basic White Tee and Crops

Look 4:  A Spring Dress

I am obsessed with this geometric print of this spring dress!  However, I didn't want my shoes to make it too busy.  So I put on my trusty pumps, and LOVE the look of it!!

All-in-all, you can see the versatility of these pumps!  They can go from a pair of jeans, to a dress, to workwear!  I also have them in black and they are just as fabulous!


I hope that you love these pumps as much as I do!  And I hope that once you get them, they make you feel as incredible as they make me feel!

You can keep up-to-date, by following me on social media!  I have both Facebook and Instagram!  I would LOVE for you to follow me there!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

💓- Ashley