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!

What the Bulk!?!?!? Carob Spirulina Energy Bites

Okay, I have a confession to make. I don't know why on earth these little things drive me crazy, but they DRIVE ME CRAZY. I'm guessing most people would taste one and think, "Eh, they're a little bitter. What's the big deal, Veganmama?" But I can't get enough of these little bites from the bulk aisle of Whole Foods (note to Bellingham, MA store, please get them back! I miss them!). I can't entirely figure out what they're made of. Does anyone know? Besides carob and spirulina, there appears to be some sort of seed or nut as well.


I know what you're thinking, "Really?" but they are sooooo good. Maybe it's the earthiness of the carob? The bite of the Spirulina? I don't know. But if you want me to love you (even more then I do), please buy me some. And not the vanilla ones, silly. These :)

What the Bulk!?!?!? Homemade veganmama GRANOLA!

Okay, wait a minute. Did I actually just perfect a granola recipe...by accident? Yes! Yes I did! I found a recipe for homemade granola BARS and when I tried to cut them and they turned into chunky GRANOLA instead, I decided to run with it! My tried-and-true taste testers (my kids, of course) were thrilled by the result. The picture really doesn't do it justice, so promise me you'll let me know how yours turns out!

Here are some notes about the recipe: it's flexible. My favorite recipes tend to be. You can jazz these up any way you'd like, as long as you have enough binding agent to keep them firm (peanut butter, brown rice syrup, honey)

Veganmama's Peanut Butter Granola Surprise (surprise, as in, "surprise! they aren't granola bars!)

4 cups rolled oats (not quick oats)
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/2 cup peanuts, chopped (or whichever nut you choose)
3/4 cup natural peanut butter, melted
1/2 cup brown rice syrup (or honey, or a mix of the two)

add ins: chocolate chips (I like mini), dried fruit, seeds, coconut

* I used mini chocolate chips, dried cranberries and some raw sesame seeds in the recipe above *

In a large bowl combine oats, chia seeds and peanuts. Add brown rice syrup and mix to combine. Add melted peanut butter and mix until moistened (I used my hands.) At this point, add in some mix-ins and then add more peanut butter or brown rice syrup to keep it a little moist.

Press mixture into a pan lined with my favorite thing ever: non-stick Reynold's wrap in a 9x13 dish. Bake for about 25 minutes.

Let them cool completely (sometimes I speed along the process by putting things in the fridge or freezer).

When you cut into it, it'll break into nice big chunks, which make a terrific topping for your cereal, frozen dessert or smoothie.

And while we're talking desserts, have you made my ENERGY BARS yet?


Who's hungry now? :)