Besides just tasting good(I enjoy eating!), I believe that most of what I eat should serve a purpose. This recipe satisfies my post-workout recovery needs, but can also pass as a stunning treat. With the ingredients used, these qualify as nutritional wonders that are decadent enough to be dessert. Perfect for a Valentine’s day treat!

Because recovery should be rewarding.

****Update: I have decided that the blood orange version is one of my favorite kitchen creations to date! The flavor combo and intensity are just spectacular! The chocolate is also fantastic. Don’t be afraid to try it even if you aren’t a fan of berry flavored things, as the chocolate flavor steals the show.****

Valentine Superfood Truffles {AKA post-workout protein power balls} By: Kaci Cheeseman

Classy or sassy. You decide.

Ingredients:

For the truffles:

• 2 oz Pomegranate juice (I used this one)
• 1 oz/28g Navitas Naturals goji berries
• 1 cup/140g frozen dark sweet cherries; no sugar added
• 1 blood orange, about 160g, peeled and seeds removed
• 8 scoops Vanilla Pea Protein Powder (or a vegetarian/vegan protein powder; don’t sub for whey or you will end up with mush!)
• sweetener of choice to taste, if needed (I used about 1 cup splenda granular)
• optional: red food coloring if needed/desired

For rolling:

• 1 TBSP coconut oil, melted
• 0.5oz/14g goji berries, ground in the food processor
• 6 packets of Truvia
• 2 tsp/5g Navitas Naturals lucuma powder
• optional: red food coloring if needed, gloves, if desired, for food handling

Instructions:

1/ Let goji berries soak in pomegranate juice to soften for a few hours, or overnight.
2/ In a blender or food processor, add the berries and juice, cherries, blood orange, and sweetener (if using), and process into a liquid.
3/  In a medium bowl, mix protein powder and liquid until you get a dough. If you want to adjust the color, add a few drops of red food coloring.
4/ Place in a plastic bag and chill for an hour or so in the fridge to make it easier to work with.
5/ Roll into balls. I got about 52 out of the batch at 0.5 oz each.
6/ Melt coconut oil.
7/ Place the processed goji berries, lucuma, and truvia in a shallow dish. You could also add food coloring here too, if you want a more pink tint. Just mix a few drops with the truvia first, then add that to the rest.
8/ Use the melted oil to coat hands(I prefer using gloves for this step) and roll each ball in your hands to coat with a little oil. Then roll them in the coating mix. If giving as a gift, place each in a mini muffin cup liner- get creative!
9/ Chill, if you can wait, and enjoy!
10/ Store in the refrigerator up to a week, or you can freeze them. (Makes about 10 servings of 5/serving)

For a chocolate version:

1/ Omit the blood orange.
2/ Use 7 scoops of the protein powder and 6 TBSP/30g Hershey Special Dark Cocoa powder.
3/  1+ 1/4 cup frozen berries of choice(I used 1/2 cup cherries and 3/4 cup blueberries).
4/ Add more sweetener to compensate for the cocoa.
5/ Roll in Lucuma and top with a single goji berry. (Makes 8 servings of 4 per serving)

Nutrition:

1 serving: 5 Truffles

1 Serving: 4 Truffles

That’s What I Ate Wednesday post-workout!

Check out what everyone else is eating too at Jenn’s blog!!

Linking up at the #StrangeButGood Valentine’s Day fun at Laura’s blog! Check out all the healthy red goodies!

Also linking up for the first time at Kierston’s blog!

In the spirit of love, I’m linking up at Davida’s blog too!

Adding to Lindsay’s healthy bite round up!

Reader Questions:

Are you a fan of Valentine’s Day or not?

| Kaci