Raw Pistachio Orange Bites

Another quick, easy alternative to store-bought energy bars. These Raw Pistachio Orange Bites are made in minutes and with minimal ingredients. They are a great lunch box or on-the-go snack.

That is if your child’s school hasn’t banned nuts like my daughter’s school did this year. I have mixed feelings about this. In a way I am thankful that schools are acknowledging and addressing food sensitivities but I am amazed that they are not addressing gluten and dairy intolerances as well. It’s true that nut allergies are potentially more life threatening than other food intolerances, but gluten and dairy sensitivities are far more prevalent.

According to this article, only 1.1 percent of children and 0.5 percent of adults have a tree nut allergy versus 2.5 percent of children have a cow’s milk allergy, but if between 6% and 7% of the population is affected with gluten sensitivity, why aren’t schools addressing that? And what about banning foods that cause other health concerns like food dyes and HFCS? What if they banned processed foods all together and forced parents to buy and prepare real food? I will dream on!

For other energy bar ideas try my apple cinnamon or apricot chia bar

Ingredients:

1/2 cup or raw shelled pistachio nuts
1/2 cup of raw almonds
1/4 cup of fruit sweetened dried cranberries
2-3 tsp of orange zest
10 – 12 pitted dates (about 1/2 cup)
1-2 tbsp of orange juice
Finely chopped pistachios to garnish

Preparation:

• In a food processor blend the pistachios, dates, almonds, orange zest and orange juice until a paste is formed. Start by adding only 1 tsp of orange juice and increase the amount only if the paste isn’t sticking together or is too dry.
• Pulse in the cranberries for a few seconds until they are mixed in and coarsely chopped.
• Make small balls with this paste and roll them over the chopped pistachios.
• Store in the refrigerator