Mocha Pecan Energy Balls and Oriya Organics Giveaway
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Oriya Organics Protein

Two years ago, the folks at Oriya Organics, a company focused on whole foods, high quality supplements, reached out to me and offered me the chance to test their green powder. I’m not a big on green powders–unless I’ve been traveling for days and have had no other means of getting greens in, I’d rather focus on whole vegetables–but I did appreciate the integrity of their product, and I created a groovy spirulina salad dressing with it.

Recently, Oriya reached out to ask if I’d also be interested in sampling their protein powder blend. It’s a vegan, organic protein source that consists of sprouted brown rice protein, hemp protein, sprouted chia seeds, chlorella, and spirulina. I jumped on the chance to sample it because

1. It’s stevia-free
2. I like the combination of sprouted brown rice and hemp — just enough of each ingredientwithout getting too chalky (which is my problem with most brown rice blends) or too gritty (the problem with plain hem protein.

Oriya Organics superfood protein medley is also:

Certified Organic by the USDA
Certified Non-GMO by the Non-GMO Project
Certified Vegan by Vegan Action
Gluten-Free
Raw
Artificial flavoring free
Sweetener free
Preservative free

It’s probably the most unadulterated protein I’ve tried recently. And I do so love the absence of a stevia-ish, sweet aftertaste. What’s more, in spite of the fact that the Oriya blend is rich in hemp, it’s really and truly not gritty. The texture is very refined, the taste totally neutral.

Mocha Pecan Energy Balls -- Vegan and Gluten Free // Choosing Raw

Because the flavor of this medley is so neutral, you can use it in a lot of different ways; you don’t have to pile it into a smoothie. The folks at Oriya suggest using it in smoothies, shakes, baking, or snacks. I took them at their word, and I decided to use some of their protein in a delicious new energy ball recipe. These mocha pecan balls are sweet, sustaining, and the coffee flavor gives them irresistible snack appeal!

Mocha Pecan Energy Balls -- Vegan and Gluten Free // Choosing Raw

Mocha Pecan Energy Balls -- Vegan and Gluten Free // Choosing Raw
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Mocha Pecan Energy Balls (gluten free, soy free)

Author - Gena Hamshaw
Yields: 14 energy balls

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pitted tightly packed medjool dates
  • 1 1/2 cups raw pecans
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa or cacao powder
  • 1 tablespoon instant espresso optional
  • 2 tablespoons Oriya Organics Superfood Protein Medley or a hemp/rice protein of your choosing
  • 1 tablespoon almond butter

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients in a food processor fitted with the S blade. Pulse a few times to break everything down.
  • Process until the ingredients are sticking together and hold their shape well when you squeeze a small handful in the palm of your hand. Shape the mixture into 14 1-inch balls. Store in the fridge for up to two weeks.

If you love the coffee + chocolate combination as much as I do, you’ll find it tough to resist these. They’re a perfectly uplifting, anytime snack, and they can double easily as dessert (provided the caffeine won’t keep you awake!).

Mocha Pecan Energy Balls -- Vegan and Gluten Free // Choosing Raw

Oriya Organics protein can be purchased online, through the Oriya website. The cost is $41.99 per tub, which comes to about $1.75 per serving. Here’s a quick peek at the nutritional information:

Screen Shot 2015-04-24 at 9.33.00 AM

Protein powders can be pricey and tough to locate, so whenever I review them, I love to give my readers a chance to win a sampling of the product. The folks at Oriya have generously agreed to share one large tub of the Superfood Protein Medley and one tub of the SuperGreen Medley, which is great for mixing with water and getting greens on-the-go–especially if you travel a lot. The contest is open to US and Canadian residents only, and it will be up on the blog for the next two weeks. Enter to win today!

Oriya Organics

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

I can’t wait to pick a lucky winner!

And that’s my weekend send off to you all. I’ll see you on Sunday for weekend reading.

xo

This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. Visit my privacy policy to learn more.

Categories: Recipes, Snacks
Dietary Preferences: Gluten Free, No Oil, Raw, Soy Free, Vegan

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    106 Comments
  1. Oooh i share your aversion to most protein powders, but this looks like one i could enjoy! Not sweer, real ingredients, not much more i could ask for. I don’t think these balls would last long in my kitchen!

  2. I would love to try those energy balls! I would probably also incorporate the powder(s) in a smoothie, a salad dressing, morning oatmeal, or something of the like. Maybe try a cookie recipe or homemade protein bar recipe with them and see how it goes! 🙂

    Peace to all.

  3. i use protein powder in a variety of recipes. I like it especially into banana soft serve! I like the fact it contains greens

  4. i use protein powder in a variety of recipes. I like it especially into banana soft serve!

  5. I love smoothies! I would make a smoothie with the powder. I have a smoothie everyday after my workout.

  6. Definitely this recipe!, pecans are my favorite! plus chocolate, you can’t go wrong with that combo 🙂

  7. I would definitely make a smoothie! Probably with mint added. I love that combination of flavors!

  8. I’d put it in a smoothie for my mom. She doesn’t eat much, and it’s hard to find a protein powder she’ll eat!

  9. I would totally mix this deliciousness up in post-workout power shake with banana, berries, and nut butter. YUM.

  10. I make energy balls all the time and would love to use this in my recipes, especially in my pumpkin spice energy balls.

  11. I’d most likely bake with it, protein cookies! Or use it as a frosting 🙂 I”ve been testing out different vegan protein powders to see what I like best so this seems perfect!

  12. I’d like to try Oriya Organics’ recipes for the almond joy smoothie and the protein pancakes!

  13. Green smoothies for sure! It would be good to have a more neutral protein powder.

  14. This protein powder looks amazing! I usually just put protein powder in smoothies, but this energy ball recipe looks so delicious! And I would also like to try baking something with the powder! Yum!

  15. Will be making the energy balls for sure & those powders would be a very welcome addition to the pantry!

  16. It would probably be a green smoothie, but those mocha energy balls are definitely on the short list! Thanks for a great giveaway!

  17. I would love to try this recipe. I generally avoid protein powders for the same reasons as you, but the ingredient list is impressively short!

  18. I would add it to my morning oatmeal and bring the greens mix when i’m traveling and can’t get fresh green juices

  19. I would love to try this powder in the snack ball recipe or maybe baked into some muffins or quickbreads!

  20. I saw a recipe for both a maple- and a blackstrap molasses- smoothie that would be good to try. Otherwise, the iced coffee shake looks great!

  21. I love energy balls! I often have to take a late lunch, so try to keep some with me at work just in case.

  22. Energy balls for after a workout. I still haven’t found a protein powder I like

  23. I love just making quick shakes after working out, water + fruit + powder since I feel better afterwards and I am usually not in a mood to mix different ingredients together to make a shake.

  24. My go-to smoothie of pineapple, mango, orange with spinach. I’m out of protein powder right now, so I’m in the market!

  25. Although I use a little stevia in my own creations, I do dislike the flavor of it in protein powders. And, I like to control the sweetness factor myself, any way you slice it. This sounds pretty great if it is as neutral as you say! And omg, these energy balls are right up my alley. Making them pronto!

  26. I would like to make their Mint Chocolate Chip Shake that I found on their website.

  27. I would throw it in a protein smoothie or make balls like these! I love pecans!

  28. superfood powders scream to be used in a smoothie! i’d make a giant smoothie bowl 🙂

  29. Obviously the first recipe I want to make is these mocha pecan energy balls! Otherwise I might like using the protein powder in crusts for raw desserts.

  30. I would add these to my morning smoothie, and also make these mocha balls too! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
    Erin

  31. I have yet to try using a protein powder in a snack recipe, and these mocha pecan balls sound like a great place to start!

  32. I would make a smoothie with beets, coconut water, ginger, blueberries, blackberries, and this beautiful protein!

  33. I love baking, so I would absolutely use this as a substitute for flour to make healthy muffins for an easy and tasty breakfast before school.

  34. I’m always on the hunt for a good plant based protein powder and this sounds perfect! I’d throw it in some protein pancakes.

  35. I’d love to shake it with some almond milk and enjoy it with a cup of mini shredded wheats!

  36. I would probably make a smoothie since it’s been a while since I’ve had one!

  37. I usually only use protein powders in smoothies, but this recipe sounds great- can’t wait to try it!

  38. I would try this recipe, or a similar one for chocolate peanut butter snack balls.

  39. I’ve been looking for a new protein powder! I’m so impressed with this product, hope I get to try it soon!!!

  40. Both products sounds great! No Stevia after taste is definitely appealing. Love protein balls and would try those, but my new favorite breakfast right now is smoothie bowls! Either product would be so perfect to add in.

  41. Those mocha pecan balls look amazing! Though I might have to leave the coffee out because I’m trying to drastically scale back my caffeine consumption. But I would definitely use the protein powder in my morning smoothies!

  42. HI Gena–I’m not really a fan of protein powders either, but this one has an impressive profile and a relatively low fat content. I’d be willing to try it out in a lower fat snack ball i like to make with millet and carob. Your mocha pecan balls look great though. 🙂 Thanks for the info and chance to win some to try out.