Power balls on-the-go

These pocket rockets of power will literally keep you going forever. So simple to make, packed with protein and super foods – delicious.

Okay I know these don’t look great – in fact a few friends thought I’d been round the local park with a p**p scoop! They are fab though. Just like the date bars, these have become a key fuel to take with me on my longer runs. They’re also absolutely ideal as a ready-snack when you’re feeling a little peckish during the day. Saves you running for some junk food or spending £2 per ball in well known health food stores!

Packed with chia seed, coconut oil, dates, flax seed, hazelnuts, hemp powder, peanut butter, raw cacao, walnuts… these power balls are tasty bites of very healthy fuel. Far nicer than they look too! Hemp powder is one of the richest sources of plant protein available, high in antioxidants too. Oats are a slow release and efficient energy source. Enjoy them literally on the run or with a #smoothie.

No baking required either. Below are my ingredients and I’d simply urge you to choose from what you have at the ready. The beauty of these is the mix of super foods rather than following this particular recipe. So play with it 🙂

Ingredients:

Makes about 10-20 balls of 40g

200g (7oz) medjool dates, or apricots (both are loaded with potassium)
50g oats, gluten free if preferred
1x tbsp cashew or peanut butter
¾ cup hazelnuts (this is a ‘baking cup’ measure)
¾ cup walnuts (or almonds, or any other nut you prefer)
2x tbsp chia seeds
2x tbsp ground flax seed (or linseed)
1x tbsp coconut oil
1x tbsp hemp protein powder
1x tbsp raw cacao powder (cocoa powder is fine too but not as rich in antioxidants)
1x tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger (or you could use nutmeg)

Method:

Prep 3-5 mins max, zero cooking time

Place the nuts in a food processor and blend for about 30 seconds.
Put all other ingredients in and blend for up to 1 minute until you have a slightly sticky paste. (Then switch the processor off!)
Using your hands, roll small portions into balls.
Put in the fridge or freezer and there you have an extremely healthy snack ready whenever you want.*

Now enjoy licking the bowl! 🙂

* Freezing in bags is recommended if you want to keep them as a fuel for long runs. Bag them up and take with you whenever you’re heading out.

Benefits:

This could honestly go on forever. Instead, just ask whether or not you feel it’s worth paying a little more for cacao powder. A 250g supply of organic raw cacao powder will last you for around one year.

Raw cacao powder is considered to be one of the very highest sources of antioxidants. Read this excellent comparison of cacoa powder vs. cocoa powder from One Green Planet for more info.

Hope you enjoy 🙂
Jeff