Zen Girl Raw Energy Balls

These are my new favorite treat! I take them on-the-go when I need a healthy mid-day snack or eat them fresh and cold straight out of the fridge at home. Delicious, easy to make, 100% RAW and so so so good for you.....Enjoy!

BENEFITS 

- DATES: cholesterol-free, low-fat, high in protein, fiber, iron; great for digestion and natural energy

- CASHEWS: rich in magnesium for bone health; contain high levels of proanthocyanidins 

which starve tumors and stop cancer cells from dividing

- FLAX: contains cancer-preventing lignans; prevents inflammation and constipation

- CHIA: high in omega-3s, fiber, minerals, antioxidants; reduces inflammation; natural energy boost

The story behind Zen Girl Raw Balls

Last Sunday, I was woken up by the best text message ever: "Making green juice - come over!" This text from my best friend Kristy started our Sunday off to a very healthy start, which led to a full day of healthy, fun adventures. Post-green juice, we decided to visit the La Jolla Farmer's Market and stock up on something yummy for lunch. Dates are in abundance here in San Diego and Kristy was lured to a market stand selling giant, locally grown Medjool dates. She purchased a large bag of them and we started to brainstorm what we could do with them. "Raw Balls!" I exclaimed in the middle of the crowed market. We got a few strange glances and skipped home to experiment. Most recipes for Raw Balls (including this one I picked up on my honeymoon in Thailand) call for cocoa powder, but since we didn't have access to any, we decided to improv with what we did have on hand. Most recipes also called for a food processor, which we also did not have access to, but I was confident my new baby, the NutriBullet could do the trick!

INGREDIENTS

• 20 medjool dates
• handful of cashews
• chia powder
• flax meal
• shredded unsweetened coconut
• splash of almond milk

*Note: you can swap cashews for any other nut: pecans, walnuts, almonds, etc. 

Here are some other fun toppings:

• dried cranberries
• rolled oats
• almond butter

DIRECTIONS

Mix all the dry ingredients except coconut in NutriBullet (dates, cashews, chia and flax). Add in almond milk - just a splash to start. Check moisture level. Should have a somewhat solid consistency, not gooey or soft. Scoop out and shape into a circular ball. Roll around in coconut. Place in refrigerator to eat later or in freezer for 15 minutes then consume.

*Note: We made one batch rolled in coconut (100% gluten free) and another batch adding in cranberries and rolling them in oats (not gluten-free). Both were delcious and passed the taste tests from our boys! :) The chia can be a lot for your stomach to handle if it's not already a part of your diet, so enjoy just one or two balls at first, then pack them into some tupperware and enjoy throughout the rest of the week.