These are a great companion when you are out on the trails! Good protein, carbs, fats and no added sugar! These definitely aren’t cookies, but it’s hard to believe they are straight up health food! The cocoa powder makes you feel like you are eating a cookie, but in reality you are eating SUPER FOOD!

Makes 16 balls

Ingredients:
3/4 cup pitted, chopped dates, soaked (about 9 dates)
1/2 cup ground flax seed*
1/2 cup cooked and cooled quinoa
1/3 cup macadamia nuts
1/3 cup shredded coconut
1/3 cup dried cherries
2 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa powder
1 packet stevia

First, pit and chop the dates. Place them in a bowl and cover them with water. Allow them to soak for 10-30 minutes.
Next, add all ingredients, except for the dried cherries to the food processor. Pulse the mixture, scraping the sides as needed.
Last, add the cherries and pulse a few times until incorporated but still whole.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and place on the baking sheet. Place balls in freezer until they are firm. Once firm, place balls in a sealed container and store in the freezer until the next big adventure!

*A note on flax seed. When you buy flax seed, try to get whole seeds, not “flax seed meal”. Grind the whole seeds to release their good oils. Flax seed meal is more of a baking filler and has lost much of its nutrients. Store seeds in the freezer so they don’t go rancid. Rancid flax smells like fish. Eew.