"Raw" Blackberry Energy Bites

Blackberry season is coming to an end. Nothing is more enjoyable than walking the paths less traveled in Seattle to find blackberry and raspberry bushes in full bloom. Whether it's a nearbybush, or a wall of berries stretched alongside a bike path, there is no shortage of blackberry bushes in the city.

And inspired by nature, I wanted to create something with blackberries thanks to the local harvest season and these tiny purple flowers that also look like blackberries. 

I photographed these after making the energy bites, which promotes a deep purple color while kissed by the setting sunlight. Overnight, the balls harden and transform into a lighter purple color, like what you see in the flowers. 

Whenever I create raw or almost-raw foods, I try to enjoy food in its natural state. You can always add more sweetener to make the bites more enjoyable. 

"I think that I do feel that my nature is to express what this self, this particular self at this time, experiences in the world. And that is so organic - I use this metaphor a lot but I'll use it again - it's like a pine tree producing pine cones, or a blackberry bush producing blackberries - it's just what happens with this being, now."
Alice Walker

"Raw" Blackberry Energy Bites
Prep Time: 10 minutes 
Makes 10-13

Ingredients:
1/2 cup blackberries
1/2 cup cashews
1/4 cup + 2 dates
1 tbsp rolled oats (optional)
3 tbsp flax meal
3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp - 1 tbsp maple syrup or agave nectar (add more for sweeter taste)
pinch of salt

Directions:
Begin by pulsing the dry ingredients. Next, add in the remaining ingredients and blend until combined, like a sticky dough. Scoop the mixture and roll in between your palms. Once finished, store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. 

The balls harden once cooled in the refrigerator. 

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