Grab Life By The (protein) Balls: Rice Protein Power Balls

No, not this one.

This one.

As held by Heather. This Power Ball’s life was short and sweet. It brought happiness to many one.

I originally tried a power ball at a yoga retreat as our snack and did my best to retain some yogic composure and not succumb to gluttony as the original recipe tastes like almond truffles. The recipe from “What’s For Breakfast” by Joan Haynes, N.D. contains one stick of organic butter and 1/4 c. of agave nectar. Now I love butter possibly more than Paula Deen, but I wanted something lighter. I am also sensitive to carbs so I reduced the agave since even though it’s lower glycemic, it’s still sugar. And, although it’s heresy, I actually prefer to make this in a food processor rather than a Vita-Mix because it’s easier to clean up and scrape the sides.

So I don’t have the winning lotto numbers, but I do have a recipe for you. This make come as a shock, but somehow the actual measurements of what I used got lost in the paperwork shuffle (or eaten by my cat). I’ve made these many times and each time is slightly different based on what I’m in the mood for – more or less fat, more or less carbs, more or less dairy, etc. This is the first time I used sunflower seed butter and it’s a great choice. It is packed with flavor and since it is naturally more liquid than other nut butters, I needed less coconut oil as a binder. A protein ball is basically protein powder, a nut butter and some sort of binder to hold them together. 

Non-Dairy Power Balls - Makes about 15 –20, depending on size

1/2 c. almond butter or other nut butter (I used 1/4 c. sunflower seed butter and 1/4 c. almond butter)

1 tsp. almond extract

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 c. almond flour (or finely ground almonds)

1/2 c. unsweetened coconut flakes

1 c. organic vanilla brown rice protein (I used Nutribiotic brown rice protein)

Pinch of sea salt

Stevia (I used 1/8 tsp NuNaturals Pure Stevia Extract, which is highly concentrated)

1-2 TB organic cold pressed coconut oil

Agave, honey or sugar-free syrup (I used about 1 TB of each)

1/2 c. sesame seeds*

Optional: organic butter extract

Toast sesame seeds and set aside.

 

Melt the coconut oil in the microwave unless you’re Heather, then you might need to rig up something over a candle in yurt. Mix all ingredients (except sweetener/coconut oil and sesame seeds) in a food processor.

 

Drizzle in melted coconut oil and syrups until the dough is in a thick, but rollable consistency. They are getting their sweetness from the stevia, so the oil and syrup is more for flavor and consistency than sweetening. Roll into balls and then roll in sesame seeds. Store in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to eat!

*I still had lots and lots of sesame seeds leftover after rolling the balls.

These little power balls have quite a few calories at about 130 each, but are balanced among fats (medium chain triglycerides from coconut, sesamin and lignans from sesame seeds and nut oils), protein and carbohydrate. I got 17 balls out of this batch: calculated with 7 TB sesame seeds, 1 TB coconut oil, 1 TB honey and 1 TB agave = 130ish calories each, 10g fat, 7g carb, 7g protein.

When making these for myself, I use only sugar free syrup which reduces the carb count. I’d like to point out that I’m much leaner now that I actually eat fat and protein in considerable amounts! So don’t be afraid of real, healthy fats.

Pimpin’ Tips & Variations

• Omit coconut oil and use lowfat yogurt or coconut kefir as part of the binder to reduce the calorie content.
• Try different nut butters like tahini for even more sesame action. Sesamin and CLA (from sesame seeds and grass-fed butter) enhance fat burning.
• Use flax meal and/or coconut flour for part of the almond flour. Using coconut flour instead of almond meal will cut almost 100 calories and 26g fat from the recipe, as well as adding fiber.
• Use organic grass-fed butter as part of the binder to up the flavor and to get some conjugated lineolic acid (CLA) into your diet.
• If a post-workout/higher carbohydrate treat, use dates or figs as part of the binder and reduce the fat with yogurt.
• Bust ‘em out over greek yogurt when you’re traveling and trapped in the Bachelor Kitchen.

Don’t forget to see the Ball Making Queen (also known as Averie who loves her veggies & yoga) or a girl who likes it chocolate-style (also known as Chocolate-Covered Katie). Like nut balls? See this recipe for No Bake Peanut Butter Protein Bites.

And it’s time for my first giveaway!

Who wants this fuzzy guy?! I can have him wrapped, shipped and delivered in time for Christmas morning! Surprise your loved ones with this Chewbacca style alarm clock! Perfect for catching 4 am flights. He’ll also keep your cookbooks and newspaper warm by sleeping directly on them when you’re trying to read and will inspect your clean laundry by rolling around on it with his furry backside. WARNING: Not suitable for children under the age of 21, for those afraid of hairballs the size of California’s deficit or really for anyone, as he constantly bites, screeches for attention, eats bills and steals my sunbutter.