We have been focusing on Mental Health this week. To continue that theme we have teamed up with nutritionist Ali Prentice from NutriknowHow, who has created a great mood food recipe. Ali is a nutritionist and wellness consultant based in London with expertise in nutrition, healthy cooking, coaching and behaviour change. We asked Ali if she could create a recipe that would be brain food for busy entrepreneurs on the go. Here is the fantastic recipe she came up with:
Mood Food: No Bake Energy Power Bites
Makes about 24
These portable little spheres are loaded with slow burn goodness and are easy to grab for breakfast, as a snack – or to round off a light lunch or dinner.
They are designed to deliver an intense nutrient punch – including a host of vitamins, minerals and other plant-based chemicals to support energy levels, mood and mental wellbeing.
Ingredients
- 100g cashews soaked for a least an hour in cold water and drained
- 100g plain porridge oats
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, or smooth peanut butter
- 75g dates
- 50g dried cranberries
- 2 tbsp cocoa, or raw cacao powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Coating – choose from:
- 20g pistachio nuts
- 1 tbsp cocoa, or raw cacao powder
- 1 tbsp grated (desiccated) coconut
- Milled seed mix (such as Linwoods) – or make your own from linseeds, sunflower, chia and pumpkin seeds – plus add goji berries for some colour!
Instructions
- If possible, soak the cashews for an hour or even overnight in water to soften. Drain cashews before use.
- Blitz the oats in a coffee grinder or food processor until they resemble coarse flour. Set aside.
- Melt the coconut oil very gently. Whizz the oil (or peanut butter) with the cashews, dates, dried cranberries and vanilla extract in a food processor until they form a paste.
- Add in the oat flour, cocoa/cacao, cinnamon and salt and process until it forms a cohesive mass.
- Manually roll the mixture into balls with clean hands. If the mixture sticks to your fingers, moisten your hands lightly.
- Sprinkle your choice of coating on a plate and roll the balls around the plate to coat evenly.
- Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge – where they should last for about a week, or one month in the freezer – if you can resist them!
Definitely give these mood food bites a go this evening or this weekend! Have you thought about consulting a nutritionist before? You can email Ali at alisonpren@gmail.com for more information on her services or visit her website.
If you want more amazing inspiration then follow Ali on the channels below:
