It seems like so many people are looking for an afternoon pick-me-up. But, they often reach for something that won’t provide sustainable energy, like chocolate, or sugary/salty snack foods, or a cup of caffeine.
What may work better is nutritious nut-butter ball blended with adaptogenic herbs to nourish your body and enhance your energy naturally.
These Super Energy Nut Butter Balls work exceptionally well as they contain time-tested ancient foods/herbs:
Maca Root – this popular turnip is a mood lifter that improves fertility, balances hormones, enhances energy, and supports immunity.
It’s a member of the cruciferous vegetable family and contains high levels of glucosinolates (sulfur-containing compounds).
That means… don’t eat it raw otherwise you’re bound to suffer with digestive distress. Use the gelatinized (cooked) powder for this recipe.
Reishi – mushrooms are all the rage and Reishi, that has been used for thousands of years, is considered the Mushroom of longevity and immortality.
The polysaccharides in Reishi mushroom boosts the immune system, prevents abnormal blood vessel formations, have neuroprotective properties, regenerates the liver, and inhibits the development and metastasis of cancerous tumors.
It’s a true energizer!
Ashwagandha – in ancient medicine, this revered root was used as a fountain of youth to prevent premature aging, treat age-related physical disability, and resolve impotence.
According to modern studies, Ashwagandha strengthens immunity, relieves stress, reduces inflammation, boosts memory, supports better sleep, and builds muscle strength and stamina.
Goji Berries – these antioxidant-rich fruits have a long history in Chinese medicine for brightening the spirit, promoting long life, and boosting vitality.
They hydrate and moisten the joints, and support eye health.
Goji berries are also associated with improved liver health, cardiovascular support, protection of brain cells, and to prevent chronic illness.
The combination of these ancient herbs create a nutritional powerhouse of sustainable energy for you!
In the recipe below, I used peanut butter as the fatty nut base for the balls. But, if you fall into the “I-can’t-eat-peanuts camp,” use almond butter, cashew butter, walnut butter, or any other nut-butter that you prefer.
Once the balls are prepared, they’ll keep in your refrigerator for a few weeks (inside a tupperware, glass jar, or other container), but… they may not actually last that long.
Don’t eat too many in one sitting, and enjoy your energy balls.
- 1½ cups rolled oats, pulsed in the food processor until finely ground
- 1 tbsp. Reishi powder
- 1 tbsp. Gelatinized Maca powder
- 2 tsp. Ashwagandha powder
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
- ½ tsp. ginger
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- ⅓ cup dried goji-berries soaked and rehydrated
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ¼ cup chocolate chips (optional)
- ½ cup toasted walnuts or almonds, ground
- 1 tbsp. maple syrup granules or powder
- Mix dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl: oats, Reishi, Maca, Ashwagandha, cinnamon, ginger and salt.
- Put wet ingredients in a separate mixing bowl: peanut butter, honey, goji berries, vanilla, and mix well.
- Combine dry ingredients with wet ingredients.
- Add optional chocolate chips and mix well.
- Using 1 well-rounded tsp. of batter, form into individual balls.
- You’ll get approximately 30-40 balls.
- For the outer coating, combine the ground walnuts with maple sugar and lightly roll the balls in the powder.
- Eat 1-3 balls daily.
- The balls will keep for a few weeks inside the refrigerator.
Andrea Beaman is an internationally renowned Holistic Health Coach, Natural Foods Chef, Speaker, Herbalist and best-selling author who helps people feel happier, healthier and in control of their health. She was named one of the top 100 Most Influential Health and Fitness Experts, is the recipient of the Natural Gourmet Institute’s Award for Excellence in Health-Supportive Education and a Health Leadership award from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Since 1999, Andrea has been teaching people how to harness their body’s own preventative and healing powers using food, herbal remedies and alternative medicine.
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