Goji Glow Energy Bites

Hello there! Last week I had the pleasure of attending a very cool "Superfoods" class at the Bellingham, MA Whole Foods. The class was lead by the talented Karen Ring, of Edible Evolutions. Karen previously worked as the "Healthy Eating Specialist" at the location and is a wealth of knowledge. Just when I think I have a grasp on healthy eating, I keep learning :)


Some Superfoods we learned about were:

1. Greens and grasses
2. Chia seeds
3. Algae and sea vegetables
4. Berries (Goji, Acai, Camu Camu, Noni)
5. Acerola Cherry
6. Bee products
7. Hemp Seeds (my new favorite smoothie "sprinkles")
8. Aloe Vera
9. Raw Cacao
10. Maca Root

Karen demystified these products and kindly gave out samples. The yummiest of the samples were the Goji Glow Energy Bites she made. Here is the recipe:

GOJI GLOW ENERGY BITES

1 cup almonds, soaked (I use raw)
1 cup pumpkins seeds, soaked (raw)
1/3 cup dates or figs or raisins or any dried fruit combo (basically just to be the binding agent!)
2 T Cacao powder
1 tsp Spirulina
1/2 cup Goji Berries
1/2 cup Hemp seeds
1/2 cup Cacao Nibs

You'll find all these ingredients at Whole Foods. A bunch are in the "whole body" department.

Directions:

Soak almonds and pumpkin seeds for about 6 hours. Drain and rinse well. Place them in a food processor and process until finely ground. Add the dates, cacao and spirulina, process into thick dough. Add goji berries and pulse some more. Remove from processor and place in a large bowl. Use your hands to mush the hemp seeds and cacao nibs in there. Roll into 1/2 inch to 1 inch balls. Dust them (if you want) with toppings (crushed nuts, coconut, sesame seeds, etc).

Best if chilled for at least an hour and they freeze really well!

ENJOY - don't be scared by wacky ingredients :) Even kids would enjoy these. Just don't tell them what's in them!