Eating well would be a breeze if we always had the time to prepare healthy meals. Unfortunately, the real world doesn’t always work that way, and more often than we’d like, our meals become an afterthought – even footnotes – in our busy days, rather than the focus we’d like them to be.
As we know all too well, when our meals become rushed or spontaneous, our choices often become less than ideal—more about instant gratification and less about long-term health. But forewarned is forearmed, and if we can identify the times when we are most likely to make a poor food choice, we can also provide the solution that allows us to eat well even on the most demanding and hectic days.
Planning ahead is essential. What you want is a snack that’s nutrient-dense, easy to carry, and indulgent enough to compete with the less savory options that might tempt you when hunger strikes and stress is high.
Enter the energy ball!
Made from a mix of nuts, seeds, dried fruit and herbs, energy balls (or snacks) are the perfect afternoon or post-workout pick-me-up. Packed with protein, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats, they’re indulgent enough to satisfy sugar cravings without wreaking havoc on your blood sugar or causing an afternoon slump. At the weekend you can prepare a large portion in just twenty minutes, providing you with healthy snacks all week long. The best part is that you can also throw in your daily dose of adaptogenic herbs such as Maca, Ashwagandha or reishi, which over time will actually improve your body’s innate ability to deal with stress.
While there’s certainly no substitute for sitting down and enjoying a carefully prepared meal full of fresh, nutrient-packed ingredients, it’s nice to know you have a Plan B for days when your schedule is full and time is scarce. Why not set yourself up for success? You deserve it.
Adaptogenic energy balls
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almonds (135 g)
- 1 cup grated coconut (70 g)
- 1 cup pitted Medjoul dates (130 g)
- 2 tablespoons nut butter
- 2 tablespoons raw cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon adaptogen powder of choice (Maca, reishi, Ashwagandha, he shou wu), optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt
Optional toppings: freeze-dried raspberry powder, cocoa powder, toasted coconut, dark chocolate, pistachios
Instructions:
- Place the almonds and coconut in a food processor and pulse until a flour forms, about 2 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients (except optional toppings) and pulse again until mixture begins to clump, about 5 minutes.
- Scoop out equal portions of the mixture and roll the mixture into small balls with your hands.
- Once you’ve formed the mixture into balls, you can roll them in your desired toppings to cover the outside, or enjoy them plain.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Writer Danielle Charles Davies has a BSc in Herbal Sciences from Bastyr University and completed the two-year clinical training program at the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism in Montpelier, VT. Her articles have appeared in Taproot, The Journal of the American Herbalist Guild, and Kindred Magazine, among others. She lives in Northern Michigan with her husband, two dogs and eight ducks. She blogs at www.bluemoonkitchen.com.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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