energy bites

This comes from a cookbook, The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook, but I added some things to pack in even more nutrition. These are great to have around when you are hungry and in the mood for something sweet. Snack on one of these instead of the other sweets or cookies that are in abundance especially around the holidays!

makes 1 dozen

Ingredients:

1 cup raw almonds or walnuts (or combination)
1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
½ cup raisins or goji berries
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cardamom (optional)
handful hemp hearts (optional)
raw cacao nibs (optional)
¼ cup peanut butter or almond butter
½ cup shredded coconut

Directions:

1. In a food processor or heavy duty blender, process the nuts until finely ground. Add dates, raisins, and spices (and optional hemp and cacao nibs) and grind to a find meal. Add the nut butter and process again until thoroughly mixed.
2. Form mixture into balls and roll in shredded coconut.
3. Store in a sealed container on the countertop for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.