{plant-based, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free}

Since we left Santa Fe last week, we've been road trippin' all over the place.  We did a nine hour drive from New Mexico, up through Colorado Springs and Denver, to Scottsbluff, Nebraska, where we'll be staying in a hotel for the next couple weeks.  This past weekend we saw the evolving Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota ('cause why not?!).  We drove through the historic town of Deadwood and stayed in an off-grid house in a little town called Spearfish.  Why you ask?  Because they marketed a pizza oven on their listing and therefore we could make our traditional Sunday pizza (turned out more interesting than traditional).

Since there's not much [of anything] here in Nebraska, and I have no kitchen to cook the day away, we've committed to exploring on the weekends and staying in Airbnb's where we can prepare food for the week. 

The hardest part about traveling is staying on a consistent diet to avoid tummy troubles.  Because I have such a sensitive stomach, I always make sure to bring along healthy food that I can eat in a pinch.  These energy bites have fueled us through our recent travels, and I'm a little depressed that we've just finished the last of 'em.

The first time I made these I only used about three dates which wasn't quite enough, they just tasted like unsweetened cacao bites. Between five and seven dates is the sweet spot in my opinion, you can add more or less depending on your taste. Perhaps you might want to experiment with honey or maples syrup.  I haven't tried either one of these options but let me know if you do!  I used leftover almond pulp from making homemade almond milk, but you can also use almond flour in lieu of the pulp. 

I rolled half the energy bites in cacao powder and half in desiccated coconut.  Feel free to roll the whole lot in either or--I know not every one is a fan of coconut!  The best part about these is that they're no bake and contain lots of fiber and plant-based protein, keeping you satisfied and your energy level sustained...bon appetit!

Total: 15 minutes | Make about 20 bites depending on size

//Tools//

food processor

spatula

measuring cups/spoons

//Ingredients//

1 cup almond pulp leftover from making almond milk, or sub almond meal

5-7 dates, pitted and chopped (depending on your sweet tooth)

1/2 cup walnuts

*1/4 cup cacao powder, plus more for coating (about 1/4 cup)

2 tablespoons chia seed

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1/8-1/4 teaspoon salt

optional 1/4 cup desiccated coconut for coating

//Directions//

Place all ingredients into the food processor (save the optional desiccated coconut) and pulse until ingredients are combined.

Using your hands, roll the mixture into individual, one-inch balls. 

Place the 1/4 cacao powder and 1/4 cup desiccated coconut into separate bowls. Roll half of the energy bites into cacao powder and half into the desiccated coconut until they are evenly coated.  Store in the refrigerator for up to four days.

//Notes//

If you're not a fan of coconut, just roll all the energy bites in the cacao powder. You may need a bit more cacao powder in this case, about 1/3 cup.