In an effort to properly fuel myself on long runs, I’ve stopped buying GUs and sports beans and have started making real food to carry with me in my SPI belt. (Hey, if it works for Scott Jurek, it’s worth trying.)

My pinole biscuits (I really need to post that recipe) travel well and taste great, but sometimes I need a sweeter incentive to keep going – a chocolatey kick in the pleasure center to keep the dopamine flowing when my energy is flagging. This is basically a healthier version of a no-bake cookie recipe: full of energy-sustaining ingredients and in portable, adorable ball form (Anyone who knows me knows how much I love balls).

Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked steel cut oats (you can use rolled oats if you don’t like the nutty texture of raw steel cut)

1 scoop chocolate protein powder (I use 365 brand from Whole Foods)

1 tbsp cocoa powder

½ cup coconut flakes

½ cup nut butter (I use peanut butter but sunflower, cashew or almond would be great too)

1/3 cup honey

1 tbsp hemp hearts

1 tbsp chia seeds

1 tbsp cacao nibs

(Those last three are optional but sooooo worth the addition.)

Stir all ingredients ‘til thoroughly combined. Cover and chill for 15-30 minutes ’til it’s firm enough to handle (that’s what she said). Once chilled, roll into 1” balls and return to fridge to set. I ended up with 25 lovely little balls.

Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to a week, or freeze for up to a month. It’s nice to have a batch of these in the freezer for really long runs on hot days – wrap a few in plastic or waxed paper and tuck them into your fuel belt or pack.