'Energy balls' are always delicious and nutritious. They're so simple to make and play around with by adding different superfoods such as dried fruit, nuts, seeds, goji berries, chia, and so on. Though they're a nice treat at any time, there is one time in particular where energy balls are a must for me: while hiking. I love having a high-nutrient/energy fuel on hand that leaves no mess and is super easy to pack, grab and eat.
Unfortunately, being 9 months pregnant is limiting my hiking adventures. But that's not to say it's limiting others'. My boyfriend and his best friend, visiting all the way from Germany, are soon embarking on a week-long camping/hiking/road trip through Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. (Yes, I'm jealous.) To help them on their journey, I'm providing a few treats- Coconut Energy Balls, to start.
Coconut Energy Balls
(makes 16 large balls)
1 cup (packed) chopped and pitted dates (I used Honey Dates which are easiest to find at my grocery store)
1 cup whole, unroasted almonds
1/2 cup cashews (mine were roasted and salted but unroasted/salted are great too)
1 cup unsweetened, dried coconut
1/2 tsp each vanilla and almond extract (or 1 tsp vanilla extract if you don't use almond)
1/4 tsp or 1/2 tsp salt
In a food processor blend up nuts until they are in fine pieces.
Add dates, coconut, extracts and salt and continue blending until the mixture falls away from the walls of the food processor. Check to see if it's ready by trying to form a ball with the mixture. If it's too dry it will crumble, but as the nuts release more oil, it will stick together.
Transfer mixture to a large bowl and begin forming balls by squeezing mixture in the palm of your hand and rolling, or shaping balls.
Unfortunately, being 9 months pregnant is limiting my hiking adventures. But that's not to say it's limiting others'. My boyfriend and his best friend, visiting all the way from Germany, are soon embarking on a week-long camping/hiking/road trip through Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. (Yes, I'm jealous.) To help them on their journey, I'm providing a few treats- Coconut Energy Balls, to start.
Coconut Energy Balls
(makes 16 large balls)
1 cup (packed) chopped and pitted dates (I used Honey Dates which are easiest to find at my grocery store)
1 cup whole, unroasted almonds
1/2 cup cashews (mine were roasted and salted but unroasted/salted are great too)
1 cup unsweetened, dried coconut
1/2 tsp each vanilla and almond extract (or 1 tsp vanilla extract if you don't use almond)
1/4 tsp or 1/2 tsp salt
In a food processor blend up nuts until they are in fine pieces.
Add dates, coconut, extracts and salt and continue blending until the mixture falls away from the walls of the food processor. Check to see if it's ready by trying to form a ball with the mixture. If it's too dry it will crumble, but as the nuts release more oil, it will stick together.
Transfer mixture to a large bowl and begin forming balls by squeezing mixture in the palm of your hand and rolling, or shaping balls.
