Amy Burton always provides healthy and nourishing recipes and tips. This month it’s all about Superfoods in the form of Hearty Goji Balls.
As all my recipes feature Superfoods, I thought it fitting to introduce you to a recipe created by the people who brought the Raw and Superfood phenomenon to South Africa. Their names are Peter and Beryn Daniel and in their own words:
“We have been ingesting the nutritional potency of superfoods for years now, and we feel it throughout our bodies and beings.”
To me this is a clear indication that superfoods can enhance everyone’s diet, and help us to reach our optimum potential in life and in all our athletic endeavours. So without further ado here is a superfood packed recipe guaranteed to add power and strength to your next ride or run, as well as tasting simply delicious!
Hearty Goji Balls
This recipe makes 15-18 balls
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup goji berries
- ¾ Cup almonds
- ½ Cup lucuma
- 1 Teaspoon organic vanilla powder
- ½ Teaspoon salt
- 1 Cup pitted dates (soak in hot water for about 10 minutes until soft)
- ½ Cup water (from the soaked dates)
Method:
Grind the goji berries up in a power blender. They will go sticky, but this is what gives the balls their chewy texture so go with it!
Blend the soaked and pitted dates, with half a cup of the soak water, into a date jam.
In a food processor, grind your almonds until they are finely ground, and reach a crumbly consistency. Set two tablespoons ground almonds aside for rolling the balls in later.
Add all the dry ingredients to your food processor and pulse gently until combined, then add the gojis and date jam, and pulse until well combined into a doughy consistency.
Roll into balls and coat in the chopped almonds, or, as I did, roll some in cacao, which adds a delicious chocolaty kick!
Tip: When rolling the mixture into balls, dip your fingers in water, the mixture won’t stick to your fingers as much.
Sus the superfoods in this recipe
Lucuma:
Lucuma is a superfood fruit, which is found in the Andean valleys of Peru. It has a pleasantly sweet taste that can be described as rich, creamy and malty.
Lucuma contains a large amount of carbohydrates, fiber and vitamins, including a high dose of vitamin C. It is also a good source of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, which is important for protein formation.
Lucuma is also a low GI sweetener, which is great for long distance endurance events. It also works well as an immune supporter and will also help with energy production due to its high iron content helping to oxygenate the blood properly.
Goji berries:
Gojis are an adaptogen, meaning they invigorate and strengthen the body, thus helping it deal with stress by supporting the adrenal glands. Goji’s are a complete protein source! They contain all 18 amino acids and are brain supportive. They are mineral and vitamin rich, containing 12 trace minerals and vitamins B1, B2 and B6 – which boost energy. Finally, they are all immune boosting and support digestion as well as assisting with cardiovascular health.
* Info on Superfoods, and this recipe has been taken from The Magic of Superfoods by Peter and Beryn Daniel, published in 2013.
