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Coconut Cacao Nut Butter Bites (NSNG)
Here are some fat bombs…AKA energy bombs! Fat is not a bad word around here, did you know that?
I made these bites without any sweetener, so they are NSNG (No Sugar No Grains). They are not sweet, so don’t expect them to be! Having one of these is like eating a shot of espresso. Oh, yeah!
If you must have that sweet sense on the tongue, you can always add a little liquid sweetener. (Go easy, now!)
I intend to use these Coconut Cacao Nut Butter Bites to fuel my active days out on the mountain bike or up on the ski hill. I expect 1 bite to keep me going for hours!
Please note– I still need to find out how they travel. The bites solidify in the fridge, but I don’t yet know how soft they’ll get at room temperature. I’m going to pack them “appropriately.”
You can use any variety of 100% nut or seed butter and any type of chopped nuts in this recipe. I used unsweetened sunflower seed butter and *unsalted pistachios.
Unsalted pistachios from nuts.com
INGREDIENTS
1/2 C coconut oil
1/2 C peanut butter, almond butter or sunflower seed butter
1/2 C organic cacao/cocoa powder
1 t cinnamon
pinch salt
Optional- maple syrup or agave nectar, to taste
3/4 C finely shredded unsweetened coconut
1/2 C chopped unsalted nuts
1 T chia seeds
1/2 t vanilla extract
ASSEMBLY:
1. Use a double boiler to melt and liquify the coconut oil and nut or seed butter.
2. Stir in the cocoa powder, cinnamon, salt, and sweetener (if using).
3. Remove from the heat and add the remaining ingredients.
Double boiler
4. Cool the ingredients (in the top portion of the boiler) in the fridge for about 30 minutes. About every 5 minutes, stir the mixture.
5. Once the mixture thickens enough, use a “cookie scoop” or a 1/2 – 1 T measuring spoon to make small balls. Place them on a piece of parchment paper. My batch made 32.
Using a scooper is recommended!
6. Cool the bites in the fridge until they harden completely. Store them in a closed container in the fridge. You can eat these right out of the fridge. They melt in your mouth!
Coconut Cacao Nut Butter Bites (NSNG)
Nuts from nuts.com
*I buy unsalted organic pistachios from nuts.com. They are awesome!
Saturday, August 24, 2013 – Mountain Biking
This was our second time riding the Crystal Mountain Trail #1163, to the top of the Crystal Mountain ski resort.
The first time we rode there was July 31, 2010. That was one of those picture-perfect days! The views of Mt Rainier are not to be missed!
Despite having a summer strung together with days and days of clear skies, the weather on this particular Saturday was not so cooperative. It was raining when we left the house. At the trailhead it was dry, but cloudy. We saw initial glimmers of blue sky as we climbed the forest, but by the time we arrived at the top, the fog was thick! And, Brrrr!!– it was not warm! Our fingers got cold on the descent.
We drive here via Enumclaw, WA and Hwy 410 (Chinook Pass Hwy), which follows the White River. Turn off Hwy 410 at Rd #7190 (Crystal Mountain Blvd) and find the trailhead for Crystal Mountain Trail #1163 adjacent to Sand Flat Horse Camp. It is located about 2 miles short of the the ski resort itself.
This trip is a relatively short, “out-and-back” ride for us. We turn around at the top of the Mt Rainier Gondola/Summit House. Note that Trail #1163 does continue down from that highpoint (6872 ft) to intersect with other trails.
In a nutshell, this trail simply goes up and up and up for about 3000 ft. Consider this climb “interval training” because you won’t stay in your Zone 2. The tread is basically smooth, with some sections of jagged rocks (not too many) and some sandy patches. It’s quite rideable throughout. The descent is screamin’ fast!
CLIMBING THE FOREST–> Switchbacks through trees and open slide paths of huckleberry bushes.
Ascending forest – August 24, 2013
Ascending forest – August 24, 2013
Blue skies on July 31, 2010
CLIMBING CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN RIDGE–> At times, the trail hugs a steep sidehill. It’s not too “airy,” but you do need to focus in couple places. The trail up the ridge also traverses a wide wildflower meadow.
From the ridge, the BIG view is Mt Rainier. The White River is quite impressive as well.
Ridge climb – July 31, 2010
Meadow – July 31, 2010
Mt Rainier from Crystal Mountain Ridge – July 31, 2010
Eric – July 31, 2010
White River & clouds hiding Mt Rainier – August 24, 2013
White River & Mt Rainier – July 31, 2010
Looking east – July 31, 2010
Elisa – July 31, 2010
Elisa – July 31, 2010
ENTERING THE CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN SKI AREA–> Singletrack trail is replaced by a rocky road on the final uphill traverse to the top of the Mt Rainier Gondola and Summit House.
Headed toward the Northway Chairlift – August 24, 2013
Aster & Fireweed – August 24, 2013
Eric wearing his #NSNG technical tee – August 24, 2013
Looking into the ski area – August 24, 2013
Crystal Mountain ski area map – August 24, 2013
THE TOP–> Views of fog!
Mt Rainier Gondola & the top of the Rainier Express chair – August 24, 2013
If you don’t want to power yourself to the top, you can pay $20 to ride the gondola.
Here is a link to the Crystal Mountain Summer Map. Note that this map calls the north section of the Crystal Mountain Trail #1163, “Northway Trail.”
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TRIP STATS: (Using the Bike Tracks App for iPhone)
- Total Distance = 11.6 miles
- Total Vertical = 5991 ft (climb 3053 ft, descend 2938 ft)
- Elevation = 6849 ft highest, 3818 ft lowest
- Time = 3 hrs, 39 min (start 11:10 AM, finish 2:46 PM)
MAPS USED:
FOOD CONSUMED ON TRAIL:
- Water + 1 SaltStick
- We didn’t even eat one huckleberry although the bushes were packed!
Freeheel Vegan 