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Praise the Balls!

Updated version

These sweet red protein balls are pure goodness – besides being raw, gluten-free, and sugar-free, they are also juicy, sweet, and full of nutrients. They stabilize your blood sugar level, provide energy, strengthen the nerves, and increase muscle endurance.

I almost always have a small stockpile of shredded coconut, dates, coconut oil, and cocoa powder in the kitchen so I can roll me a healthy snack if a craving comes up.

My new fix is to put beetroot in my truffles to make them juicier and as a great natural sweetener.

The health benefits of the ingredients in these beauties are excellent.

I've previously written about coconut, so here's a bit about the three other key ingredients.

1. Beetroots

These colorful root vegetables contain potent nutrient compounds that help the body to:

Protect it against heart disease, congenital disabilities, and certain cancers, especially colon cancer.
Improve muscle oxygenation during exercise and enhancing endurance.
Better sleep, muscle movement, learning, and memory.
Reduce chronic inflammation.
Aid in the elimination of toxins and assists in the absorption of fat.
Prevent constipation and promote regularity for a healthy digestive tract.
Lower blood pressure
Protect it against heart disease and certain cancers, especially colon cancer.

Furthermore, beets contain an antioxidant known as alpha-lipoic acid, which has been shown to lower glucose levels and increase insulin sensitivity.

2. Dates

These delicious dark fruits from the date palms offer several nutritional benefits when eaten fresh and pitted:

They are sweet but won't raise blood sugar much. Studies have shown that while dates contain high amounts of natural sugars, they are actually low-glycemic index food and do not increase blood sugar levels significantly. (source: The May 28, 2011, issue of "Nutrition Journal")
Dates are rich in fiber, so they also help your digestion. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, just one pitted date contains 1.6 g of fiber or 6 percent of the recommended daily intake.
Heart health. Fiber is also known for its ability to help lower cholesterol and fight and prevent obesity, heart disease, and colorectal cancer. The fiber in dates is primarily insoluble fiber, which binds to fat and cholesterol and carries it out of the body. Furthermore, this potassium-rich food helps in maintaining a steady heart rhythm too.
The primary vitamins in dates are the B vitamins, with vitamin B6 topping the list. The B vitamins help with the metabolism of food and the formation of new blood cells. Other vitamins include K and A.
Dates are an excellent source of minerals, with potassium in the No. 1 spot. Copper, manganese, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, iron, and zinc complete the mineral profile.

3. Almonds

Almonds are rich in monounsaturated fats; much research now links this type of fat with a reduced risk of heart disease. These nuts are one of the richest sources of vitamin E, which seems to protect against UV light damage and Alzheimer'sAlzheimer's disease. By munching away on almonds, you can top up on essential minerals: manganese, which helps the body form strong bones and regulates blood sugar; and magnesium, which is vital for organ, muscle, and nerve function, blood glucose control, and regulating blood pressure.

Moreover, the amount of calcium in a cup of whole almonds, 378 milligrams, is slightly more than in a cup of milk, about 300 milligrams.

So treat yourself to these juicy delicacies with a clear conscience.

Recipe Blissful Beet Protein Balls

Cooking time: 50 min.

Ingredients (prefer organic when possible):

2 medium sizes raw beetroots – peeled and roughly graded
1/2 cup raw almonds – skin removed (preferably soaked overnight if you happen be a step ahead of)
4 tbsp. coconut oil
2 cups dates
4 tbsp. cocoa powder
4 scoops collagen creamer, protein powder (these are my favourite protein powders: chocolate or vanilla) or almond meal for at vegan option.
2 cups unsweetened desiccated coconut (divided)

Instructions:

Place the graded beet into a medium size bowl.
Blend the almonds in a mini chopper or blender and put in the bowl.
Blend the dates and the coconut oil in a mini chopper or blender then place in bowl.
Add remaining ingredients, except the shredded coconut, to the bowl and blend with an immersion blender until smooth.
Mix in 1.5 cup of the desiccated coconut with a spoon.
Spoon out and roll into approx. 15 balls rolling each ball in the rest of the shredded coconut.

If you want to spice them up with some extra super powers, then add one more beetroot with some or all of the these ingredients - the balls will still taste marvelous (that's what she said).

Sweet Raw Beetroot Energy Balls