I’ve recently started going to Strongman sessions, which I am still in love with. It starts at an awkward time for me, at 11am, because I’m usually the type of person to get up early and have an early breakfast, then have lunch by 12. But I’ve had to mix my schedule up a bit and try to delay my breakfast just a little bit, so that I don’t feel hungry during the Strongman sessions.

I do have a protein-based breakfast, but sometimes everyone just needs a little hit of something to give them a boost or help with recovery. Enter, the energy ball. It comes in a variety of forms, flavours, ingredients, you name it. Sometimes they are made from just a few simple ingredients, and other times they are filled with un-nameable additions.

I always wonder, why buy them when you can make them for much less? And you can make them (almost) plastic free. Protein powder tends to come in plastic containers, but as you are buying in bulk, it reduces the amount of waste, and you can also recycle the protein containers at special locations.

Anyway, I decided to make some energy balls and take them to the gym, see if the recipe was acceptable to the guys and girls there. Besides making a tonne of ball jokes, because we’re mature adults, they were appreciated by everyone. So, now I’ve put myself in the position of maybe having to make energy balls every time I go to the gym. Woops!

Ingredients

150 grams pitted dates, if dry soak for 20 minutes in warm water to soften
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
200 grams almonds
2 tbsp + 60 grams dessicated coconut
1 tbsp coconut milk (in a carton, not can)
1 tsp vanilla extract

1. In a food processor, blend the dates into a paste.
2. Add all of the remaining ingredients except the 60 grams of dessicated coconut. Blend until well combined and starting to form a paste.
3. In a small bowl, place the remaining coconut.
4. Scoop out 1 tbsp of the paste and roll into a ball, then roll in the dessicated coconut. Repeat until all paste is used up.
5. Store in an air-tight container. Can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days (but good luck making them last that long).