Energy Bliss Balls

Yes, I went there.  Looking for portable protein with a flavorful nutrient punch?  Here is your bliss. 

Being a triathlete I am always looking for easy to consume energy on the run.  Or bike.  Or between swim sets.  

For me convenience and quality are key, but so is flavor and quite often I am left disappointed in the mouth-feel and taste of conventionally packaged convenience "nutrition".  

​I am not a huge fan of commercially made products for daily use because many of these products are no better than candy bars and other junk foods. Somehow we have been sold on pre-packaged Gu's and sports "nutrition" as being the secret to performance. 

I found a company that I support fully, BASE Performance, and use BASE Salts in many of my sports recipes for added minerals and salt.   

The following variations of bliss balls are a great snacks to keep on hand when you are busy on the go - regardless if you are active in sports or active in your daily life running around keeping your family on track.  If you are working out more than normal, it is hotter outside, or you find yourself sweating a lot feel free to add in a pinch of electrolyte salts, such as BASE Salts (www.baseperformance.com).

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Cacao Date Bliss Balls
Makes 25
INGREDIENTS:
8 dates, soaked
2 cups pumpkin seeds, soaked for 5 hours then rinsed
¼ cup raw cacao
½ cup coconut flakes
2 tablespoons water
½ teaspoon vanilla extract (replace with a the internal scrapings of a vanilla bean if following Whole 30 and are mindful of any SWYPO)
1 tablespoon cinnamon
OPTIONAL - a scoop of BASE Salts or other electrolyte/mineral salt blend of preference

METHOD: 
Blend all the ingredients using a high-speed blender. Take a spoonful and roll into a ball. Set each ball on a tray. Finally, allow the balls to harden in the refrigerator. ​

Raw Protein Bliss Balls 
Makes 10 balls 

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups pumpkin seeds, soaked for 12 hours, then drained and rinsed 
2 cups dates, soaked for 1 hour, then rinsed 
½ teaspoon cinnamon 
​¼ cup water 
Dusting of raw cacao 
​OPTIONAL - a scoop of BASE Salts or other electrolyte/mineral salt blend of preference
 
METHOD:
Divide the ingredients into two batches when placing them in your high-speed blender. This will avoid your high-speed blender shutting down during the mixing process. Pulse the ingredients for two minutes, then blend on high speed when well mixed.  
 
Once the ingredients are well-blended, roll each batch into bite-sized balls. Next, dust each ball with raw cacao. Add balls to a tray and put in the refrigerator to form for 30 minutes. Then, enjoy or store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.