Last time I talked about different foods that are worth including in your diet when ascending, living, and/or training at altitude. This week, I have a fantastic, portable, and tasty recipe that you can prep ahead of time and store in the freezer so you have some available to you at any time. These Strawberry Shortcake Energy Bites can be formed into golf ball sized portions or bars. Wrap them up and take them with you on your next altitude adventure instead of store-bought highly processed packaged bars and snacks.

The dates provide iron, while the vitamin C in the strawberries helps increase absorption. Both of these ingredients along with oats provide good quality carbohydrates that are balanced with heart healthy monounsaturated fats found in cashews.

Strawberry Shortcake Energy Bites

Makes 22 bites

• 1 1/2 cups (34 grams) freeze dried strawberries
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup raw cashew pieces
• 14 cup vanilla or plain protein powder
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup fresh Medjool dates, pitted and packed
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• water (as needed)

• 1. Add freeze dried strawberries and oats to a food processor and process into a fine powder.
• 2. Add nuts and process until nuts are finely chopped but not ground to a meal.
• 3. Add protein powder and salt. Pulse to combine.
• 4. Add dates and vanilla extract. Process mixture until it starts to come together into one large ball. If it is not coming together, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time until mixture forms a large ball.
• 5. Shape into golf sball sized bites and/or press into a parchment lined baking dish, refrigerate for at least 2 hours, and cut into bars.
• 6. Store bites or bars in the freezer to help maintain shape and stay fresh. Allow at least 5-10 minutes to defrost.