Chocolate Covered Cookie Dough Balls Switch Up

Do remember a couple of weeks ago when I posted a recipe for these Cashew Cookie Dough Bars?

They turned out to be such a hit that I decided to do a spin off on them, all the while still keeping them nice and healthy. A word of warning though: they are so good you might just end up eating a few too many. 

Are you ready for the switch up?

If you could take your favourite Larabar, roll it into a little ball and coat it in a thick layer of dark chocolate, this is what it would look like.

Ligthly dusted with 100% pure cocoa powder, they are so soft and silky it's like biting into a rich truffle. Except you can eat these without the guilt. I still can't believe these are made with only 3 ingredients: dates, cashews, and chocolate.

I've also hidden a little surprise in the middle of each one.

Pure decadence!

It's just in time for the holidays too. Nothing says Merry Christmas like a tin of homemade cookies, and these would be a great addition for those who are vegan or gluten intolerant. But even those who aren't will love them just as much.

Chocolate Covered Cookie Dough Balls {Gluten-Free & Vegan}(makes 12-15)

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Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw unsalted cashews
• 1 cup fresh pitted dates
• 3/4 cup 72% dark chocolate chunks or baking wafers + extra for the chocolate middles
• Sifted cocoa powder for dusting (optional)

 Directions:

1. Place cashews in food processor and grind until finely chopped. Be careful not to turn them into flour.
2. Next add the dates to the chopped nuts and grind until combined and mixture holds together. You should be able to form it together in your hands. Add 2 Tbsp of filtered water if and pulse a bit if the mix isn't holding well. It should be sticky.
3. Using a spoon, scoop a bit of the mix out and roll into 1" balls. Arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Take a knife or use your fingers to pry a hole in the middle of each one, then put a chunk of chocolate in and roll it up again in your hands.
5. Melt the chocolate using the double boiler method. Using spoons, dip and roll cookie dough balls into melted chocolate to cover. Lift and let excess chocolate drip off back into the bowl and return to parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill in the refrigerator until set. Using a sieve, dust with cocoa powder.
6. Store in an air-tight container and keep in the refrigerator. (If you can keep your hands off them that is). 

*If you are allergic to nuts you can use sunflower seeds instead of cashews and still get the same results. 

Stress Buster Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie

Mint+Chocolate = quite possibly the best combination ever.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Healthy Eating doesn't have to be boring.

So when your under stress there should be no excuses to reach for the junk food right?

Stress and anxiety increase levels of cortisol (the number one chemical released during stressful times) in your body and overtime can contribute to weight gain. So when the going gets tough what do you do?

Here's a few tips that I find helpful:

• Always make sure you get a good breakfast. Skipping meals will cause your blood sugar to drop along with your metabolism and will only make you more irritable.
• Get some exercise and make sure its something you like to do. It's really amazing how even just a little exercise can help you blow off steam. Walking is one of the easiest forms of exercise you can do. Personally I love to lift weights, golf, bike and I can't even tell you how excited I am to hit the hills this winter and get back to snowboarding.
• Keep a food journal so you can account for everything you've eaten. At the same time you can plan your meals ahead of time. This way you're less likely to go rummaging through the cupboards.
• Get some shut eye. Face it. You can't accomplish anything as a zombie. Listen to your body's signals and you'll do just fine. A 10 or 20 minute nap can improve muscle memory and clear the brain of useless built-up information.
• Eat your greens. Spinach in particular is high in magnesium which improves your body's response to stress and stops your blood pressure from rising.

This smoothie is made up of healthy foods that will actually tame your feelings of anxiety and can be whizzed up in no time. It contains raspberries which are highly potent with antioxidants that actually counteract the production of cortisol.

Magnesium rich spinach also helps to regulate cortisol levels and promote a feeling of well being by producing serotonin. You know, that feel good brain chemical that maintains your emotional balance. Just a cup has 40% of your RDA.

Pure 100% alkalized Cocoa powder; yes chocolate! And the darker the chocolate the better. That's because it contains flavonoids and phenethylamine, an organic compound found in plants that enhances your mood. The addition of mint in this smoothie will also promote healthy digestion and a calm tummy.

So take a step back from your day, take a deep breath, and the make this replenishing smoothie. Go ahead, it tastes like dessert! And my favourite part about it; you can enjoy it anytime of day.

Stress Buster Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie  (serves 1)

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Ingredients:

• 1 frozen banana
• 1/3 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
• 1 tbsp 100% pure cocoa powder
• 1 generous handful of spinach
• 3 large leaves of fresh mint
• 1/2 scoop of vanilla SUNWARRIOR protein powder or protein powder of your choice
• 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend away until well combined, thick and creamy.
2. Serve immediately and top with a sprinkle of unsweetened shredded coconut.

There's snow in the forcast next week!

Wishful thinking? ;)