At the start of 2022 I was in a food rut- I was bored with my food and unenthused for many reasons. Our eating habits changed in 2020 because of shortages, lack of time and not being able to rely on restaurants as much and then moving in 2021 put a wrench in things – I focused on making meals quick and easy (and healthy, of course) and didn’t focus on variety, especially as I was getting accustomed to CA and the grocery stores here. 

So, in January this year I decided to spice things up a bit. I came up with my own list of “22 New Foods for 2022”. Now, they weren’t all new foods to me, but they were foods I didn’t eat often anymore or foods that I wanted to revisit other ways to prepare them. One of my 22 foods was MATCHA and sure, I could have had a matcha latte each morning but I decided to try matcha in foods for a different experience. 

Why matcha? 

• High in EGCG, a compound that aids your liver in balancing estrogen levels
• EGCG may be why green tea consumption may prevent breast cancer
• The caffeine is balance by a relaxing amino acid called l-theanine
• Anti-oxidants

Cocoa Matcha Energy Bites

½ cup soft dates, if your are too dry you can soak them in water for an hour before using

½ cup almonds

¼ cup cocoa powder

1 T match powder

1 T almond milk

Pinch of sea salt

1 T sesame seeds and a pinch of match powder in a separate bowl

In a food processor, combine the dates and almonds. Scrape down the sides of the processor.

Then add the cocoa powder, matcha, almond milk and sea salt. Process again to make a dough, add more almond milk if needed.

Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and then roll the balls in the sesame seed mixture.

Refrigerate for one hour and then enjoy!

Energy bites will keep in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.