Christmas Snacks or Desserts: Raw Energy Balls

Do your friends and family a favor this Christmas and bring in a healthy, tasty bite of energy for your holiday get-togethers: RAW energy balls!

This week, I was trying to be creative and think of what new healthy snack or dessert I could bring to a Christmas party. I wanted to make something different, tasty, and healthy!

Most Americans gain some weight during the holidays. It's to be expected with all the Christmas parties: tons of food and desserts! What is it about holiday lights, the smell of gingerbread cookies, and Christmas music that packs on those pounds? It's not necessarily one thing, but rather a combination of many factors: stress, sweets, alcohol, big meals, and a reduction in exercise. One tip to stay healthy during this season is keeping your portions in control, exercise, and eat healthy foods. These energy balls will satisfy any sweet craving without relying on refined sugars.

I made three different energy balls: Superfood Energy Balls, Matcha Energy Balls, & Christmas Gingerbread Balls.

Superfood Energy Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cup pitted dates, packed
• ¼ cup almond meal
• ¼ cup buckwheat groats
• ¾ cup Purely Elizabeth Muesli oats
• ¼ cup raisins
• ¼ cup Goji berries
• 1 tablespoon bee pollen
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:

Blend all ingredients until you have a dough that sticks together. Scoop dough out of the blender or food processor, take about 1 tablespoon in size, roll into balls or flatten with a rolling pin, and use a cookie cutter to make desired shapes. Roll them into coconut sugar or sprinkle on top. Enjoy right away, or place into refrigerator for up to a week.

Matcha Energy Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cup pitted dates, packed
• ¼ cup almond meal
• ¼ cup buckwheat groats
• ¾ cup rolled oats
• 1 tablespoon Teaologists Matcha Green Tea powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon almond milk
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Blend all ingredients until you have a dough that sticks together. Scoop dough out of the blender or food processor, take about 1 tablespoon in size, roll into balls or flatten with a rolling pin, and use a cookie cutter to make desired shapes. Roll them into coconut sugar or sprinkle on top. Enjoy right away, or place into refrigerator for up to a week.

Gingerbread Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cup pitted dates, packed
• ¼ cup almond meal
• ¼ cup buckwheat groats
• ¾ cup rolled oats
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Blend all ingredients, except for dates, in blender or food processor until you get a fine flour-like consistency. Add in half of the dates and process until well combined, then add the remaining dates until you have a dough that sticks together. Scoop dough out of the blender or food processor, take about 1 tablespoon in size, roll into balls or flatten with a rolling pin, and use a cookie cutter to make desired shapes. Roll them into coconut sugar or sprinkle on top. Enjoy right away, or place into refrigerator for up to a week.