This Week's Cooking Projects

I am slightly obsessed with yummy food blogs. And especially ones that can teach me new tricks with healthy foods. And so when I came across these yummy recipes on two of my favorite blogs, I just had to put them on this week's to-do in the kitchen list!

First out is the awesome Table Tonic's yummy power balls. I just KNOW I will become addicted to these!




Table Tonic Sunday Night Power Balls(makes around 20 balls)


1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
1/2 cup walnuts
250g pitted medjool dates (the fresh, wrinkly ones)

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup shredded coconut
2 tablespoons chia seeds
Pinch of sea salt


1. Place all ingredients (except chia seeds and dates) in a food processor and blend on high until finely ground. 2. Add the dates one at a time through the feed tube of the food processor while it is running. What you should end up with is a mix that appears rather like cake crumbs, but that when pressed, will easily stick together (if the mixture does not hold together well, add more dates). 3. In a large bowl, combine the mix with the chia seeds. Roll into small golf balls - or you may prefer to press the mixture into a tray lined with baking paper (place in the fridge to set, then tip out and slice into squares/bars and freeze). 4. Store in an airtight container (ie tupperware or glass jar) in the freezer and eat them straight from the freezer - they'll be lovely and firm, but not rock hard as the good oils in the nuts and seeds won't freeze!

YUM! Perfect as a post-work pick-me-up!




Then, and I am SO excited about this one; My New Roots' Raw Brownie. That's right. Brownie. Raw. healthy. So so awesome!

The Raw Brownie


Organic medjool dates - A cornerstone ingredient in many raw desserts are dates, often of the Medjool persuasion, because they are incredibly sweet, tender, exceptionally large, and versatile. Medjool dates can replace sugar or honey, they taste like caramel, and unlike agave nectar, which is also popular in raw desserts, these have a deeper, more complex flavour.


Cacao – raw cacao is one of the best sources of magnesium found in nature, in addition to containing high amounts calcium, zinc, iron, copper, sulfur, and potassium. Cacao contains many chemicals that enhance physical and mental well-being, including alkaloids, proteins, magnesium, beta-carotene, leucine, linoleic acid, lipase, lysine, and some neurotransmitters such as dopamine and anandamide. Holy cow – superfood!

Walnuts – Walnuts are the most delicious, vegetarian way of getting Omega-3 essential fatty acids. Why are they essential? Because your body can’t make them, they must come from the food we eat. Omega-3s reduce cholesterol, lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, boost the immune system, control viral infections, improve brain function, and relieve symptoms of inflammatory condition such as arthritis. No biggie.

Almonds – High in essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, almonds also are a very good source of healthy, monounsaturated fats and vitamin E. Almonds also containt two important trace minerals, manganese and copper - essential cofactors of a key oxidative enzyme called superoxide dismutase. Superoxide dismutase disarms free radicals!

Because there are so few ingredients in this recipe, I would highly, highly recommend purchasing top-quality and organic if possible. The flavour of each element plays a strong role in the final outcome, so they all need to be the best you can find.

Ingredients:

2 cups whole walnuts
2 ½ cups Medjool dates, pitted
1 cup raw cacao
1 cup raw unsalted almonds, roughly chopped
¼ tsp. sea salt

Directions:
1. Place walnuts in food processor and blend on high until the nuts are finely ground.
2. Add the cacao and salt. Pulse to combine.
3. Add the dates one at a time through the feed tube of the food processor while it is running. What you should end up with is a mix that appears rather like cake crumbs, but that when pressed, will easily stick together (if the mixture does not hold together well, add more dates).
4. In a large bowl (or the pan you plan on putting the brownies in), combine the walnut-cacao mix with the chopped almonds. Press into a lined cake pan or mold. Place in freezer of fridge until ready to serve (it is also easier to cut these when they are cold). Store in an airtight container.

Seriously, I am so excited about making both of these yummy treats! Especially to introduce them to my little munchkin, I just love it when I get her to love love love healthy treats! Get erady, cook!