Good Karmic Eating- Raw Brownie Bites

Thanksgiving is over and I'm sure you've set your sights on the winter holidays. Parties, gifts, cookies. This year, indulge, treat your friends and feel good about it! Packed with protein, fiber, anti-oxidants and omega fatty acids. Chocolatey, decadent, delicious and your body feels really great the next day.

Ingredients (as adapted from nataliakw.com)

• 1 c. almonds
• 1/4 c. cacao powder (although cocoa isn't raw, it can do in a pinch)
• 1/8 c. ground walnuts/pecans/almonds OR shredded coconut OR mesquite powder
• 1/4 c. + 2 TB honey or maple syrup
• 1/3 c. hemp seeds
• 2 TB cold-pressed virgin coconut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or the seeds scraped from one vanilla bean
• pinch of sea salt
• for even more happiness, add dried berries or your favorite surprise to the middle of the brownie ball)

Most of these ingredients can be found at your local health food store or many grocery stores in the organic section. 

Methods/Steps

1. Place all nuts in your food processor and process until finely ground.  
2. Add the cacao powder, shredded coconut/mesquite powder if you're using it & salt and process again. Pour in the sweetener of choice, hemp seeds, coconut oil & vanilla and process until all is combined and sticking together. 
3. Roll into 1.5" balls with your hands. If desired, roll the finished bites in your favorite superfood powder, herb, or spice for a decorated look. Might I suggest cacao powder, mesquite, hemp seeds, chili powder, peppermint and coconut flour, dried berries.
4. Refrigerate or freeze for storage. Serve from the fridge.

Additional Tips

Mesquite is a specialty item with a sweet, rich, almost maple flavor, full of essential minerals, fiber & protein. If it's not available to you, feel free to substitute another dry ingredient such as shredded coconut, maca powder (reduce to 1 TB) or more almonds as we've done in this recipe. The flavor won't be exactly the same, but you'll still be blissed out from super powers of cacao and hemp seed.