Protein the Inexpensive way

Being the expectant, still-nursing (2-3 times a day) mom that I am, I am always looking for ways to get more protein in. The problem is, it can be expensive! Another problem, my previous go-to protein source (beans!) has sounded less appealing since becoming pregnant. We still eat a beans at least once a week, but much more than that and...well I've reached my limit. Hopefully this will pass soon.

So...needing other sources of inexpensive protein I have been creative. Scrambled eggs worked for mornings for awhile, but I got tired of that quickly! A couple new ideas I have tried this past week are yogurt in the crockpot (which I am still working to perfect...going to use some powdered milk to thicken the next batch!) and healthy peanut butter balls. Here is the recipe which was adapted from the What to Eat When You're Expecting cookbook.

Healthy Peanut Butter Balls

1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup powdered milk (not reconstituted)
3/4 cup plus 1/3 cup prepared unsweetened or homemade granola
1/4 cup wheat germ (I used some cracked wheat?? and a little whole wheat flour)
1/4 cup apple juice concentrate* (I would probably add a little honey or another sweetener to this next time. They did not taste sweet enough to me)

Mix ingredients well in a bowl and shape into small balls. Refrigerate. Serve with milk for extra protein!

I also used a combo of grape nuts and special K cereal for the granola because that's what I had! they stuck together just fine even so.

More recipes adapted from the What to Eat When You're Expecting book coming soon! For more kitchen tips, visit Tammy!