Cherry Power Balls
Snacks probably make up half of my diet especially when I'm training seriously--I can't make it through more than 3-4 hours without eating something. I make these balls mainly to serve as an early morning pre-workout snack. When my sessions start at 6 am, I maximise sleep and getting up to make, eat and digest breakfast hours earlier is not something I'm willing to do. I've tried nutrition bars but even that is more than I can stomach half an hour before a run/swim/bike ride. These are the perfect compromise.
I've made a few different varieties/flavours, but these are currently winning. Cherry. I'm sure you could add cacao nibs and they'd be a delicious chocolate cherry flavour--maybe by subbing a quarter cup of the pecans. Each ball is basically half a Larabar, just enough to get me through till breakfast (especially if I've eaten a big enough dinner the night before) without sitting heavy in my stomach.
Ingredients
3/4 c pecans
3/4 c almonds
1 c tightly packed dates
1/2 c dried bing cherries (try to find a variety without added sugar or oil)
Method
- Pulse pecans and almonds in a food processor until chopped and crumbly, careful not to process for too long otherwise you'll end up with a nut butter.
- Add dates and cherries to processor and process until it begins to stick together.
- Weigh table spoons of about 25g of the mixture and roll them between your hands into balls.
- Voila! They store well in an air tight container in the fridge.
