Amazing Energy Balls

This is one of my favorite go-to snacks.  My family loves these, they taste somewhat like cookie dough and are PACKED with nutrients and natural energy. I always make sure I take a jar of these to  work each week, because they are perfect for when I need a little "pick-me-up" throughout my day! They give you natural energy all day long, and taste great!  Unlike artificial energy snacks and drinks; where you often feel wired and jittery (and then you crash, not to mention all the negatives impacts it can have on your health!) these energy balls simply give your body the nutrients it needs to feel ready to go! (Not to mention these little delights are gluten, sugar, and nut free!)

With all my recipes I try to use organic products whenever possible, however I am aware that depending on where you live this is not always an option! And that's ok! Simply do the best you can with what you have!

Ingredients

1 ½ - 2 cups pitted Dates

½ cup  Chia seeds

2 ½ TBSP Extra Virgin Coconut oil

½ TSP vanilla extract

Unsweetened Shredded Coconut ( however much you desire!)

½-1 small block of unsweetened chocolate, shredded. ( because the dates are so sweet, I sometime like to add even more chocolate- gives it more of a cookie dough flavor!)

Raw honey ( I drizzled about a TBSP over mixture, also optional)

1 TSP stevia/xylitol mixture ( instead of honey, also optional)

You can also add dried fruit, vitamin mix, etc to this recipe if you so desire, just be aware of the taste!

Directions

1)    Pulse dates in a food processor or blender to form a finely chopped paste like mixture.

2)    In a medium sized bowl, mix the Date pulp with the Chia seeds and Coconut oil to form a thick dough ( clean hands works best for mixing all the ingredients, but it can get quite messy! Can use an electric mixer as well).

3)    Add in the vanilla, shredded coconut, shredded chocolate, raw honey, and sweeteners and mix well.

4)    Roll dough into bite sized balls, place in glass container and freeze for about 30min ( this gives the bites a chewy texture).  Store in fridge, makes about 20 bite size balls. 

  Because of the coconut oil, these energy balls need to stay refrigerated  or they will melt!  

The dates themselves are quite sweet,  so all the sweetners I list are optional. You can simply add the dates and leave it at that if you like!
Do NOT eat these before bed! ( unless you want energy all night long!)
Also, be sure and check those pearly whites of yours! Chia seeds are notorious for hiding in those nooks and cranies!

Some Neat Facts

Dates-  rich in dietary fiber & antioxidants, contains anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hemorrhagic properties, moderate source of vitamin A, excellent source of iron and potassium, rich in minerals: calcium, manganese, copper, and magnesium, and a good source B-complex vitamins and vitamin K.

Chia Seeds- Not only are they gluten/grain free naturally, but one tablespoon of Chia Seeds has more calcium than a glass of milk, more Omega-3s than Salmon, and more antioxidants than blueberries! Their texture can be sorta strange, but they give you energy all day long.
  
Questions? Leave a comment below!