Cranberry Oat Pistachio Balls

These cranberry oat pistachio balls provide protein and energy! And as a bonus, here’s the buzz on honey!

Most healthy-living experts will tell you to keep your sugar consumption in check. They suggest that when you do whip up a dessert-style dish, to use unrefined, whole food products, such as dates or other dried fruits.

Another sweetener worth a look for our vegetarian friends is honey. Easier to store and use than dried fruits, honey can simply be stirred or mixed into drinks and recipes. It requires no refrigeration, has an indefinite shelf life, and it comes in as many varieties as there are combinations of climates and plants. The flavor of a particular honey will vary based on the types of flower from which the nectar was harvested by the bees. Although it’s high in fructose, when used in moderation, honey has many health benefits. It contains vitamins and minerals, as well as nutraceuticals, which are effective for the removal of free radicals from the body. Easy to digest, honey is a good source of energy, especially for athletes. (Please note that health experts recommend waiting until after 12 months of age to give infants honey.)

Not all honey is created equal. In fact, a large percentage of the supermarket honey available has been extremely processed. When purchasing, select raw, unfiltered, and 100% pure, and buy from a source you trust, such as a local apiary. Honey is graded by color; light golden honey often comes at a higher retail price than darker varieties.

While pasteurized honey is widely available—pasteurized honey has been heated and processed to remove impurities—raw honey is preferable to many health enthusiasts. Because it is removed from the hive and bottled directly, raw honey contains trace amounts wax and pollen. Consuming local raw honey is believed to help with seasonal allergies.

Now that we have the buzz on honey, let’s test it out in this raw and simple-to-make recipe.