This recipe has had many variations over the years as herbalists have taken to creative methods of getting herbs into people. This is the interation that works for me and my tastes, feel free to experiment and alter to match yours. It requires no cooking, takes about 20 minutes to put together, and will provide easy protein and herb-filled goodies for over a week. I like to add energizing herbs in mine that give me a boost mid-morning when i’m starting to drag, but you could alter the formula completely to have these become soothing stress relieving herbs, or nourishing protein and mineral rich snack balls by adding high mineral content herbs. The possibilities are endless!
- 1 cup nut butter
- 1/2 cup Tahini
- 1/2 cup protein powder (I used Trader Joe’s Vanilla Hemp)
- 1/2 cup powdered herbs
- 1 tablespoon cacao nibs
- 1 tablespoon dried blueberries
- 1 tablespoon hemp hearts
- 1/3 cup honey
- Coconut flakes for topping
The basis of these herb balls is some sort of nut butter – I used some natural peanut butter here with a high amount of oil content. Please note, if your nut butter is quite dry, you may need to add more Tahini to moisten the batter (you will know when you go to mix), next adding the Tahini you will start to have a moist batter.
Begin adding dry ingredients, I liket to use Trader Joe’s vanilla hemp protein powder
Then it’s time for some herbs – you can use any powdered herb you would like here. You can purchase pre-powdered or hand grind them. I just use a cheap coffee grinder and grind dried roots I already have.
I like to use about 1/4 cup Ashwaghanda in mine and 1/4 cup Eleuthero – If you keep to this basic recipe, you are welcome to interchange whatever herbs you like or are appropriate in this dosage and flavor. Note: at this ratio, one snack ball is equivilant to aproximately 2-4 capsules of herb.
Ashwaghanda provides adrenal support and mitigates my anxiety nicely. Eleuthero is a stimulant, and may be too much for some people. You could also try herbs like powdered nettle, turmeric root, dandelion, marshmallow root, or oatstraw.
After you add your dry ingredients, you can basically go crazy with other additions- I like to add cacao nibs for texture, hemp hearts, and some dried fruits.
Sweetening with honey is optional, but I find it to be quite necessary to make the recipe appealing.
Mix batter until you have a muddy consistancy, then start rolling into balls. When the balls are formed, coat them in shredded coconut and refridgerate until firm.
These keep in the fridge for a week or two, and are an easy way to grab herbs and protein for work, school, or hiking.