My kids are always wanting to snack on something when they get home from school or as a treat and they love chocolate and sweet foods. To satisfy their cravings and know I am feeding then something that isn't filled with unwanted added sugar and bad ingredients, I like to make these Healthy Raw Cocoa Coconut Nut Energy Balls for them and they love them too.
These energy balls are the perfect answer for kids needing an energy boost while getting in great nutrients and taste! It's important to get kids involved and having them help in the kitchen, they really enjoy adding in all the ingredients into the food processor and in charge of mixing the ingredients together. This helps create excitement and enjoyment of the foods they have made themselves. We always look forward to when they are all done.
With the added Seeds and Oil, you are getting in a great source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids which are brain and heart supportive while gaining energy from natural plant based proteins from the nuts, seeds and nut butters. Using Pure Raw Honey or Maple Syrup are great options instead of using white sugar which can lead to added calories and negative blood sugar spikes. Pure Cocoa and Cinnamon are natural antioxidants which support anti-aging, protect cells and are health promoting. Coconut Oil and shredded Coconut provide Healthy Fats and Lauric Acid which is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-microbial and anti-fungal that can helps combat viral infections as well as acne!
INGREDIENTS:
15 whole organic dates, pitted and roughly chopped
¼ cup or three tablespoons almond butter, cashew butter or sunflower seed oil ( or raw nuts finely ground)
1 tablespoon Chia Seeds
1 tablespoon Ground Flax Seeds
1 tablespoon Hemp seeds
1 tablespoon Cocao Nibs
1 tsp Cinnamon
2 tablespoon coconut oil
1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1-2 tablespoons Raw Pure Honey or Pure Maple Syrup
1/3 cup shredded unsweetened coconut (plus 1/4 cup for rolling)
½ tsp of Himalayan salt
1-2 tablespoon Coconut water
STEPS:
Turn on some happy music, set a positive tone in the kitchen to put that love and energy into this great snack.
Soak any nuts ahead of time to maximize the nutrient content availability and it makes it easier to digest and absorb.
Put all the dry ingredients into a food processor and blend till fairly smooth, then add wet ingredients and blend.
Once blended, place parchment paper over a plate or tray and make balls out of the mixture, roll the balls on a separate plate of coconut shreds ( you can also roll half of the balls rolled in cocao powder). Place on the parchment paper.
Refrigerate about 1-2 hours till firm and enjoy.
You should feel a bit of an energy boost from the Energy Balls shortly after eating one and it's nice knowing that the sweetness they have from the coconut oil, maple syrup or honey, cocoa and cocoa nibs are healthy and natural and not full of additives.
You can taste the cocoa and it's not too sweet as well as the coconut oil, they compliment each other quite nicely. The cocoa is beneficial for bowel regularity. The seeds and nuts give it an earthy nutty taste and it is surprisingly filling just having one ball. They are chewy and tender and satisfying. They were light and easy to digest not feeling of fullness or heaviness. The Energy balls were sweet stimulating my taste buds and saliva promoting the Earth Element (the Spleen and Pancreas).