These almond carrot bites are inspired by the bodyrock power balls.
So what started out as intrigue last week has now turned into a full blown obsession. I’ve done bodyrock workouts for 7 out of the last 9 days and absolutely love them.
My body has never been as sore as it was this past week and yet for some reason that excites me. I feel like I’m working muscles that I didn’t even know existed and challenging my body as a whole instead of just targeted muscles if that makes any sense. I think I’ve done more pushups this past week than in my entire life. And I won’t lie, watching the instructional videos and having to look at either Zuzana, Lisa Marie or Sean for 10 minutes before working out is pretty motivating.
In case you’re interested these are the workouts I’ve done. I’m not necessarily doing the newest ones they release and have instead been digging through some of the older ones to find something that 1. I understand 2. doesn’t have too many modifications since I don’t have any of their equipment and 3. is a good balance of upper and lower body.
Booty Meets Abs Workout
Bikini Body & Beach Ready
Make Me Proud
Turn Me On
Show It Off
Rockstar Booty Workout
I Won’t Give Up
The names are ridiculous and I hate how disorganized their website is in searching for workouts but it’s free so I can’t really complain too much. I’ve also added on some extra things like a 7 minute pushup burpee challenge (otherwise known as hell on earth) and extra ab work to some of these workouts along with warm up and cool downs which are usually a mile jog on the treadmill. Some days I’ve done some HIIT runs on the treadmill in addition to the bodyrock workout, other days the workout (even if it’s only 12 minutes) is plenty by itself.
So what does this have to do with almond carrot balls?
Well there’s a recipe on their homepage for these “power balls” that looked decent except that it basically takes raw dough ball type ingredients, adds baking powder and therefore bakes them for 30 minutes. I thought the whole baking part seemed pointless so I decided to nix the baking powder, make a few tweaks and try them out for myself since we all know I love a good ball recipe.
The dough came together perfectly in the food processor and I ended up with 10 balls that taste like a slightly healthier, raw version of these carrot cake cookies.
My version on the left, theirs on the right.
Pretty darn close and about 1/4 of the time.
I may look nothing like Lisa Marie (yet!), but at least I can make a decent ball.
Almond Carrot Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup baby carrots
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon raisins, chopped
Instructions
- Combine almonds & oats in a food processor and pulse until almost flour consistency
- Add carrots and process until finely chopped and incorporated.
- Add remaining ingredients except raisins and process until dough comes together and almost forms a ball in the food processor.
- Transfer mixture to a small bowl and fold in chopped raisins.
- Roll into balls.
- Keep refrigerated.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
I love bodyrock! I do their workouts when I can’t/dont’ want to make it to the gym! I have found that my pushups have become so much better since then.
My 3 year old will love these! I love that they have carrots. Can’t wait to try this recipe.
I’m finishing up the January challenge today and I’ve gotten so hooked on them! Every workout makes me feel like a freaking beast. And I didn’t even know they had recipes! Your balls look super tasty and I love that they have carrots in them.
Because vegetables in dessert makes it healthy, right?
I’m glad you found Bodyrock! It was my saving grace when I was working full time over the summer. Nothin’ beats a butt kicking 12 minute workout ;)
Your balls look great and I often read (and then wonder) what the point of baking certain things was, too…it lends very little to the finished product other than just drying it out. lol
Thanks for linking some good workouts, you’re right the website it completely hard to sift through so I usually always just end up doing workouts that people suggest instead of trying to dig through. I think I have one on my agenda for today in fact!
Looks yummy. I might try to make these this weekend. They’re going on Pinterest!
I was thinking of you this morning. I plan on making balls this weekend and I want to make a few different kinds and I remember I saw a while ago that you made, which I thought, were carrot balls and first thing this morning I said to myself I better search your sight for that recipe. Then I open your page and Bam, carrot balls right there. It’s like you knew what I was thinking!! Making these today!! Have a wonderful weekend!!
I’m in your head! ;) These are good “healthy” balls to try but if you’re looking for something a little more dessert like, I’d recommend any of the others I have on here.
These look amazing!
Those look incredible! I do love BodyRock and got into it a lot in the fall – I haven’t done one in a long time though!