Damn good balls!

These delicious, simple Coconut Date Balls are adapted from a recipe my dear friend and colleague Kristina Perry, NTP, made for us at our graduation celebration this past June.

1 1/2 C Medjool Dates, pitted and soaked in warm water 5min

2 C plus 2 T  unsweetened coconut flakes

1/4 C Almond meal

3 T Hemp hearts

1/4 t vanilla

1/4 t sea salt

1/2 t cinnamon

Preheat oven 325

Place 2 cups coconut flakes, dates, almond meal, hemp hearts, vanilla, sea salt and cinnamon in food processor and process until thick and sticky.

Place the remaining coconut flakes on a small plate.  Form the date mixture into little 1inch balls and roll in coconut.

Place on greased cookie sheet and bake 12-15min or until barely golden.

Storage- keep in refrigerator for about a week.

Add in ideas – chia seeds, nuts, nutmeg, dried fruit

These damn good balls are filled with healthy fats, protein and fiber.  The unsweetened coconut flakes provide a great healthy fat and good sustaining calories to keep you full.  The medjool dates provide natural sweetness, and the added benefits of increasing your insoluble and soluble fiber intake, which in turn can lower cholesterol.  Dates can help with constipation and provide a great source of energy pre or post workout.   Adding the hemp hearts provides the essential fatty acids omega 3 and 6 in the optimal ratios.  This provides anti-inflammatory benefits, which is great for heart health too.  Cinnamon is a great anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and has wonderful immune boosting elements.

These are simple to make and just have around for a quick snack, pre-post workout snack or a treat in your school lunches.  They were a hit at our party too.

Enjoy the goodness,

Rachel