Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Energy!!

Here are two super snacks that I encourage my clients to keep on hand – they are decadent, filling, delicious and best of all super-healthy, good for you and all natural too!

They’re packed with protein, fibre and heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fats. This combination promotes optimum satiety and blood sugar level stability (no infamous “crash” that we inevitably experience after eating sugar-filled, processed, “quick-fix” snacks or junk!)

They’re suitable for vegans and also kosher for Passover (for anyone celebrating over the next 8 days)! These are the perfect treat or snack to have on hand to satisfy those mid-afternoon munchies or those late night sweet cravings!

All Healthy Raw Chocolate Truffle Balls

Note: See updated version of this recipe in my All Healthy Raw Chocolate Truffle Balls post HERE.

Makes 15-18 balls

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups dates (pitted) (soak in hot water for 10-20 minutes if dates not soft)
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup almonds
½ cup walnuts or peanuts (I used dry roasted)
¼ tsp. salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Optional: 1 cup shredded coconut (for rolling) and/ or goji berries to decorate

Directions

Put all ingredients into food processor, blend for a few minutes until a thick “dough” is formed (but still keeps some fine texture from the nuts).  Keep scraping down the sides of processor to get all the dry ingredients incorporated.  Transfer dough mixture to a bowl.  Scoop into 1 heaping Tablespoon size portions and roll into smooth balls using your hands.  If using, place coconut (or any desired topping!) in a shallow bowl and roll the moist dough balls to fully cover.  Set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

All Healthy Date & Walnut Energy Balls

Makes 20-30 balls

Ingredients

• 30 large, soft Medjool dates (pitted)
• 1 cup walnuts
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1 cup shredded coconut (for rolling)

Directions

1. Make sure your dates are soft. You can soak them in warm water (and drain after) for 15 minutes OR chop them finely into very small pieces so they blend easily.
2. Put the dates, walnuts & salt in a food processor & pulse until you have a smooth, uniform mixture (but not TOO fine) that resembles a dough.
3. Transfer the dough mixture to a bowl. (If very sticky, refrigerate dough for an hour). Scoop into 1 heaping Tablespoon size portions and roll into smooth balls using your hands.
4. Place the coconut flakes in a shallow bowl and roll the moist dough balls to fully cover.

Both these recipes keep well in the fridge for around a week (& freeze well too for a constant stock at hand). So you can indulge in some guilt-free goodness & deliciousness ANY time! 🙂