Easy Raw Recipes: Maca Energy Bites

These are really Maca Energy Balls– but that title seems slightly inappropriate, right? This is one of my easy raw recipes from my years of teaching cooking classes. These are great snacks to keep in the car, in your fridge, or in your desk for a quick pick-me-up.

But best of all, these little goodies will be fuel for my week of hiking on the Na Pali Trail on Kauai– which started this morning! The Na Pali trail is an arduous 11-mile trek into the remote and fantastically gorgeous Kalalau valley on Kauai. For four days, my boyfriend and I will hike and swim and play in one of the world’s wildest places. Lucky we live Hawaii, as the expression goes! Here’s a photo from our trek last year:

Here’s why these easy raw food snacks are so awesome: Dates are great sources of natural sugars, perfect for after a workout or anytime you need a bit of quick energy. And maca- if you don’t know- is a teeny turnip-looking root native to South America. It is a delicious supplement that can help with energy, libido, and adrenal function. This little superfood does not offer the crazy buzz of caffeine, but nurtures your body with a mellow energy that helps you adapt to stress, rather than compound stress as caffeine does. Most importantly, though, it tastes like caramel malty yumminess. If you are not interested in maca, you can easily substitute cacao/cocoa, or just leave it out entirely for delish nutty cinnamon date balls.

Maca Energy Balls

½ cup almonds
½ cup walnuts
Pinch salt
3 Tablespoons maca powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¾ cup Medjool dates, pitted
1-2 Tablespoons coconut oil
1-2 Tablespoons water

1. Add nuts and salt into food processor.  Blend until very fine- much like the texture of sand.
2. Add in the remaining ingredients, starting with just one Tablespoon of the oil. Blend again, until mixture begins to thicken and stick together inside the processor.
3. Check the texture by pinching a bit between your fingers; if it is slightly sticky and keeps its shape, it is ready! Add 1 Tbsp more liquid if mixture is too dry.
4. Pour into a bowl and then shape with your hands into balls (or press into a pan to flatten). Place 1 goji berry or almond in the center, and store in the fridge.

Yield: About 15, one inch energy balls