We’ve all been there: You’re at the office, attempting to get some work done… but it’s 3pm on a Thursday and you. are. Hangry-with-a-capital-H. Between your stomach rumbling and the siren song of that box of donuts sitting pretty on the conference room table, you’re barely able to concentrate. You’re in need of something small that will boost your energy and tide you over until dinner — but not fill you up or give you a sugar rush. No time to go out and grab something… what to do?
Well, though the recipe below may not be able to help you in the here and now, make plans to whip it up this weekend (or even tonight) and your afternoon snack situation will be sorted for the week to come. Made with only good-for-you ingredients, these simple energizers are the perfect quick bite to snag between meetings, or use them as your pre- or post-workout bite.
Beauty & Substance
What makes these energy balls so virtuous? Packed with filling fibre, thanks to chia and/or flax seeds; protein, thanks to nuts and collagen peptides; healthy fats, from coconut butter or nut butter; and beauty-boosting tocotrienols, they feature everything you might need in a snack, all rolled up into one convenient, skin-loving package. Even better, they’re completely customizable. Choose your favorite nut, your favorite butter and your favorite adaptogens to support your specific needs or goals — then stick it all in the food processor and blend.
See, beauty is more than skin deep. Yes, what we put on our skin matters, along with how we wash those products off, but to truly support glowing skin, you’ll want to take an internal approach. The truth is, what we eat everyday matters, the vital nutrients and vitamins present (or not so present) in the food we choose can either make or break your complexion.
Things like processed white sugar and corn syrup, trans fats and processed ingredients can prematurely age skin, while nutrient-dense foods like fruits, fresh vegetables, nuts and seeds quite literally feed you skin what it craves. By choosing whole-food options over those pretty-looking but sugar-laden donuts, you’re not only filling up on only the good stuff, you’re also cutting down on packaging and processing, the effects of which can have some damaging effects on the planet. Good for you, your skin, the planet, and your wallet — it’s an equation that’s too good to pass up.
If you’ve been wanting to make your own snacks and energy bars and balls, the recipe below is the perfect jumping off point to begin experimenting. Try adding different nuts and seeds, dried fruit, coconut flake, and anything else your heart desires, they’re the perfect way to stay fueled, whether you’re at the office or halfway up a mountain.
Beautifying Superfood Energy Balls
Ingredients:
½ cup raw nuts (Cashews, Hazelnuts, Almonds)
½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut or ½ cup rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
1 Tbsp tocotrienols (rice bran solubles)
1 Tbsp raw cacao powder
2 Tbsp coconut butter or nut butter of choice
1 Tbsp goji berries
2-3 tsp (total) of adaptogens (A few favorites: Reishi, Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Astragalus)
1 tsp chia seeds or flax meal
1-2 raw medjool dates, pitted
Optional: 1 scoop collagen peptides
Optional: 1 tbsp low sugar dark chocolate chips (Lily’s or Enjoy Life brands recommended)
Directions
Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips (if using) in a food processor and pulse until well combined but not liquefied (you should be able to pinch it together and have it hold). Add the chocolate chips, if using, and pulse a few times to mix in.
Rub a dab of coconut oil between your palms to keep the mixture from sticking, then roll the mixture between your palms into balls, about 2 tablespoons at a time.
Refrigerate until ready to eat! Enjoy
Do you have a go-to recipe to beat the 3pm slump? Share with us by tagging @AvocadoMattress or #AvocadoGreenMagazine
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