Bridget's (Sweet Potato Energy) Bites

So about a month ago, I started running again (I run approximately 30 miles a week right now). Side note, I used to run a lot back in the day. Now that I’m back into it, I have to make it a priority to have something readily available to eat right afterwards. A few months ago, I was playing around in the kitchen and created oatmeal energy balls to have with me when I was working 15 hour days. They kept me full and were chock full of nutrition.

Running, for me, is a form of active meditation. It helps me set a positive intention for the day (when I run in the early morning) and it helps me unwind after a long day (when I run at night). Running also gives me an opportunity to think with a clear conscious of recipes and future food demonstrations I have coming up; it gives me a chance to get creative in my head. So, on this morning’s run I was thinking of the energy balls I used to make and wanted to make a batch to have on hand for post run refuel!

When I got home I noticed I had a sweet potato that needed to be used. I always have a large canister of old fashioned oats and a variety of nuts in my cupboard. I called my sister (who is a chef and is the inspiration behind A LOT of my recipes!) and got her opinion on sweet potato energy balls. With a few ingredient modifications, I present to you- Bridget’s (Sweet Potato Energy) Bites. These are the perfect post workout ‘grab and go!’

Ingredients:

1 medium sweet potato, peeled and sliced into fours

¾ c old fashioned oats

1 tsp. Chia seeds

1 tsp. Slivered almonds (or nuts of choice)

2 tsp. Powdered peanut butter

3 Tbs. honey

1 tsp. Coffee flour (optional)

Instructions:

Puncture holes in sweet potato. Microwave 3 minutes. Flip over and repeat additional 3 minutes.

In a mixing bowl, combine all other ingredients. Mix well. Set aside.

Mash sweet potato by hand or in food processor. I like a chunky consistency so I pulsed the sweet potato.

Fold in the mashed sweet potato into the ingredients bowl.

Line parchment paper on a sheet pan.

By hand, form “bite sized” balls of the mixture and set on sheet pan.

Put in freezer for 15 minutes to chill.

Optional: I created a turmeric spiced cocoa powder to dust my bites in and topped them with a drizzle of honey. You can do this, or you can leave the bites the way they are. If you are skipping the dust, transfer the bites to a container and refrigerator up to 1 week.

Bridget’s Turmeric Spiced Cocoa Powder:

1 Tbs.Turmeric

1 Tbs. Unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp. Cayenne pepper

Happy & Healthy,

Bridget