Superfood Energy Bites

While traveling in Thailand, I discovered a few different places selling raw energy balls with spirulina, which were absolutely delicious.  I have made my own energy bars with spirulina in the past, but was never happy with the taste.  Upon tasting versions that I loved during my travels, I knew I had to try making my own again.  Back in my kitchen and reunited with my food processor, I set out to replicate these tasty treats and the following deliciousness was born:

Super Food Energy Bites - Vegan, Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free, Raw
Inspired by This Rawsome Vegan Life

1/2 cup raw nuts (I used half walnuts and half cashews)
3/4 cup raw seeds (I used equal parts chia, hemp, and sesame seeds)
3/4 cup sunflower seeds

1/3 cup ground flaxseed

2/3 cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup raisins
1 heaping cup dates
2-3 T spirulina
1 t turmeric
1/4 cup cacao nibs or chopped dark chocolate
Dash sea salt
1-3 T melted coconut oil
Additional sesame seeds for coating (optional)


Throw all ingredients except coconut oil in your food processor and process until well ground and combined.  Add coconut oil, as needed, until mixture begins to stick together.  Form into bite sized balls and roll in sesame seeds (if desired). Store in the fridge for up to one week, or freeze to keep longer. 

These don't taste exactly like my favorite ones from Thailand, but boy are they delicious - sweet gooey bites of chocolatey goodness.  I gave some to my mom who is not always a fan of my healthy desserts and she agreed that they taste like candy, and she could not believe that they were healthy. Chock full of super foods and healthy fats, a few of these bites make the perfect snack that will satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you full for hours.

For nutrition nerds like me, here's some fun facts on a few of the superfoods that make these bites so healthy:


- Chia seeds: An excellent source of fiber (which helps you feel full longer). Full of protein, packed with antioxidants, loaded with vitamins and minerals, and are the richest known plant source of omega-3 fatty acids.
- Raw cacao: Raw cacao is the number one source of magnesium of any food on the planet, contains 314% of the US RDA of iron per serving, and contains the highest concentration of antioxidants of any food in the world.
- Coconut oil: Coconut oil is a raw saturated fat containing mostly medium-chain fatty acids that the body can metabolize efficiently and convert to energy quickly, which helps ease digestion and the absorption of vitamins. Coconut oil is also considered to be anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial.
-Spirulina: Spirulina consists of 65-71% protein, the highest concentration of protein found in any food. Each gram of spirulina protein is four times more absorbable than the same gram of protein in beef.  It is considered a complete protein source - contains all eight essential amino acids, and eighteen amino acids in total, as well as lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.  
- Turmeric - In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric was considered a whole body cleansing herb and has been used for centuries to reduce inflammation. 
- Flax seeds - An excellent source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, flax seed also contains Omega-3 essential fatty acids, "good" fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects. 
- Hemp seeds - Also known as hemp hearts, hemp seeds are another complete protein source, and are easily digestible.

 Source of nutritional info (besides what I have collected in my brain over the years): David Wolfe's Longevity Warehouse.