Smart Snacking For Sports (Plus a Sweet Recipe)

I had a little problem this weekend, and I am so glad it’s Monday so I can get it off my hands. I made these amazing little chocolate bites, and they were just too good. A little addictive. Maybe more than a little. I even froze them in self defense, but it turns out they’re great straight from the freezer.

These awesome and dangerous snacks were not my recipe this time, but rather a sample from Smart Snacking for Sports, a new book by my fellow Culinary Nutrition Expert Michelle Vodzrazka. This seriously delectable new e-book is packed with whole foods recipes to fuel you pre-and-post- workout, without any of the nasty processed sugar or chemicals found in most packaged workout options. My mouth watered the whole way through, partially due to the amazing photos. I’m pretty sure it will inspire to get in the kitchen like pronot!

Michelle has kindly offered my readers a 60% discount (CRAZY!) off the cover price when you purchase the pdf version on her website. Just use coupon code CNE2013. But you can also purchase Smart Snacking for Sports on Amazon if you’d like the e-reader format. Either way, I have a feeling you’ll be treating your taste buds to her recipes pretty soon.

Below is the recipe for Maca Balls, the dangerous chocolate bites I was plagued with this weekend. As I said, they were fantastic. Mind you, I made a couple of changes just to use up what I had in the house. Instead of maca, I used mesquite, which is maybe one of my favorite superfood combinations with chocolate. I didn’t have sesame seeds to coat them either so did cocoa powder, mesquite and coconut versions. I made heaping tablespoon sized balls and the recipe yielded about 20. And, my dates may have been slightly dry, since it took a little more coconut oil and maple syrup to make them come together. Any way you make them, I guarantee they’ll be fast, easy, and pretty soon, gone. Make sure to wrap them up well or share them with a crowd quickly.

Also, if you can wait that long, Michelle is hosting a giveaway on her site. You can enter to win the book plus other prizes adding up to $800! Go on over and enter, but make the Maca Balls now. You won’t be sorry.

Maca Balls
GF, DF, EF, V, Veg
Photo and recipe reprinted with permission from Michelle Vodzrazka.

These raw organic maca balls will re-energize your body and
replenish your mineral stores.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 c raw cacao powder
• 1/4 c maca powder
• 1 c walnuts
• 1/2 c dates, soaked
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp organic agave nectar or maple syrup
• 1/4 c shredded coconut, for rolling
• 1/4 c toasted sesame seeds, for rolling
• 1/4 c cacao powder, for rolling

Instructions:

1. Mix the first 9 ingredients in a food processor until a lightly textured dough forms.

2. Shape into Ping-Pong sized balls then roll in either coconut, toasted sesame seeds or cacao powder (or make some of each).

3. Chill in fridge for at least 30 minutes or store in the freezer to stop
yourself from eating them all!.