Raw Holiday Bliss Bites<dataavatar hidden data-avatar-url=https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9edcf8614fe64a5e7244b5bdbb82a041?s=96&d=mm&r=g></dataavatar>

Raw Holiday Bliss Bites 2 ways

As I have become more mindful of how I eat I find myself not very interested in the standard holiday treats.  Does this mean I am old?! Seriously, I am not even craving all the things I used to.  Don’t roll your eyes, I do have weaknesses!  But give me a satisfying, slightly sweet energy ball type treat, those are what I find hard to put down.  Luckily they are all things good, and they refuel you after a workout, through the holiday shopping frenzy or satisfy and comfort with a cozy afternoon tea.  Natural, raw, protein filled nourishing and filling.  And isn’t it nice to see such simple, natural ingredients?

So I decided to play around with ingredients and flavours.  This is what I came up with, two variations on my usual energy balls. This is what I am serving, gifting (and snacking on) over the holidays. 

I am usually a chocolate girl, but these Gingerbread bites are delightful.  Especially with the added optional crystalized ginger. 

Raw Gingerbread Bites

• 1 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 3/4 cup almond butter or sunflower butter for nut free
• 1/2 cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut (split in two ¼ batches)
• 1/4 cup hemp seeds
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/8 cup fine chopped crystallized ginger*(optional)

Put the oats, seeds, spices and half of the coconut in the food processor and mill them up a bit.  Add the seed or nut butter, the syrup and molasses and chopped ginger (if you are using) and process to form dough like ball.  Set aside 30-60 minutes for flavours to further amalgamate and enrich. Next role in bite sized balls, roll in coconut if desired. 

Note: When I am making energy balls and raw bites like these I find it isn’t a science.  Sometimes you just have to play with the dough a bit to get the right texture.  This time my dough was just slightly dry and I added 1-2 tbsp of warm water.  The opposite has occurred, sometimes it is too sticky and I add a little more oats.

*This is the one source of refined sugar in these treats.  If you want to eliminate refined sugar omit the candied ginger, or grate in a little fresh ginger instead.  Yum.

And now for the chocolate fix.  I’ve been using pure peppermint oil in our hot cocoa, so I decided it would work well in an energy style ball too.  Was I ever right!

Raw Chocolate Peppermint Bites

• 1 cup almonds
• ¼ cup hemp seeds
• 1 3/4 cups medjool dates (soaked in hot water, pitted and chopped)
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup cacao powder (depending how chocolatey you like it!)
• 3 tablespoons softened or melted coconut oil
• 5-6 drops pure Peppermint essential oil
• 1/3 c unsweetened coconut (optional)

Combine chopped dates, seeds  and almonds in a food processor.  Grind a minute or so.  Add cacao, coconut oil and peppermint essential oil.  Keep pulsing until a soft doughy texture or ball forms. About 2 or 3 minutes.  Roll dough into bite-size balls and if you want to make it look even more Christmassy roll in the shredded coconut.  I love them plain too.

Put both of these in an airtight container (but not together) and keep in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze.