Goji and Cocoa Nib Energy Bars

Homemade energy bars are far cry from the conventional store bought variety. First and foremost I can decide what I put in them. I choose ingredients that are nutritionally dense for maximum net-gain. The energy bars are quick and easy to prepare and can be stored in the fridge or freezer.  I grab one when I go out to exercise and try to keep an energy bar or two close by during the day for when I need a boost. Enjoy these goji berry and cocao nib energy bars and feel free to change out the ingredients. Let me know what you create!

Time: 20 minutes. 
Makes: 12 bars (depending on the size)

Ingredients

• ½ cup goji berries
• 
½ cup raw cashews

• ¼ cup agave nectar or honey

• ¼ cup almond butter

• 1 packed cup pitted dates

• 2 vanilla beans – scrape out the seeds
• 
¼ cup cacao nibs

• 1 tablespoon dried orange peel or zest from one orange

• ⅓ cup quinoa flakes or desiccated coconut

• ¼ cup walnuts
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
• 
¼ sunflower seeds

What do do

1. Grind the goji berries in a good blender until they are a sticky kind of powder. Take care not to over blend the goji berries or they become too sticky and compacted. Place the ground gojis into the bowl of a food processor.
2. If you are using dried orange peel grind it to a fine powder and add to the food processor.
3. Add all the other ingredients to the food processor. Pulse and blend until everything is chopped well and all the ingredients are incorporated. If you would like some of the nuts and seeds to be less coursely ground reserve a few and add them towards the end of the processing.
4. Tip the mixture on to a clean surface and using your hands press the mix together to form a rectangle about 1 inch thick. Cut into slices and wrap individually. Store in the fridge to keep the energy bars fresh. They can also be kept in the freezer for long term storage.Grind the goji berries in a good blender until they are a sticky kind of powder. Take care not to over blend the goji berries or they become too sticky and compacted. Place the ground gojis into the bowl of a food processor.
5. If you are using dried orange peel grind it to a fine powder and add to the food processor.
6. Add all the other ingredients to the food processor. Pulse and blend until everything is chopped well and all the ingredients are incorporated. If you would like some of the nuts and seeds to be less coursely ground reserve a few and add them towards the end of the processing.
7. Tip the mixture on to a clean surface and using your hands press the mix together to form a rectangle about 1 inch thick. Cut into slices and wrap individually. Store in the fridge to keep the energy bars fresh. They can also be kept in the freezer for long term storage.