Krista Haynes of Samskara Nutrition is a registered dietician with a wealth of knowledge about food and the body. I go to her when I have questions about plant-based eating.
She brought me the best snack one day and it was so delicious that I had just had to find out how she made it. The natural “powerballs” with only the best of
ingredients provide natural sugars, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium and
iron for an instant energy boost. Eating just a few are filling and make you feel great!
from left: cacao energy ball, deightful date powerballs |
Superfood Cacao Energy Balls
1/2 cup of shredded unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup of chia seeds
1/3 - 1/2 cup raw cacao powder - or nibs (depending on how chocolaty you'd like it!) Here is what Krista used: http://www.navitasnaturals.com/products/cacao.html
1/2 cup almond butter
(I used 1/4 cup almond butter and 1/4 cup cashew butter) - use the
natural nut butters that you have to stir
2 Tbsp agave
1 tsp cinnamon
Directions:
Throw
all the ingredients into a bowl and mix together. Place in the fridge
for 30 minutes and then roll into small tablespoon size balls. Place in
an airtight container and keep in your fridge up to a week.
Delightful Date Powerballs
1 cup raw almonds
20 large (Medjool) dates, pitted
1 Tbsp unsweetened raw cacao powder (see above)
Zest from one medium-size orange
2 Tbsp agave nectar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp salt
Directions:
Grind
almonds in a food processor until fine. Add dates, cacao powder,
orange zest, agave nectar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, and process until
mixture forms a ball. If mixture doesn't stick together, add a bit
more agave. Form 30 small balls out of the mixture. If you'd like you
can roll the finished balls in cacao, nuts, seeds, shredded coconut or
dip in melted chocolate and let them set in the fridge for dessert.
Each ball has about 47 calories, 3g fat, 1g protein, 6g carbohydrate, and 1g fiber