Monday 11 June 2012

It's been far too long... but I'm back with some balls..


BLISS BALLS that is!




I really didn't know what to post about after so long away from blogging. I chose a topic that was safe, easy and yummy: a recipe!

I recently attended a screening for an amazing documentary, "Forks over Knives". Folks, I highly, highly recommend watching this! Even for people who do eat plant-based, vegan diets, it still shines a lot of light on why we are eating this way. And, for those who do not intend to become vegan, watch it! Not that it will change your mind, but it may make you think twice about certain poisons we are feeding ourselves.








I will talk about this later on, I could go on for hours about "Forks over Knives".

Dr. Kerri Dow, my amazing Naturopathic Doctor, was showing the movie at her clinic one evening, and had prepared these delicious little treats for us: BLISS BALLS! They were to die for, despite she thought they had turned out a bit hard, they tasted amazing.









The recipe was so simple and comprised of only 5 very nutrient dense ingredients. I finally remembered to pick up some more coconut oil yesterday, and so I made them!

I do not know why I waited so long to incorporate coconut oil into my diet, and life! Not only is it awesome for cooking and baking (high-heating oil), it is great as a beauty product and medicine too!

Coconut oil has been extensively used in Ayurveda, traditional Indian medicinal system, for years! From hair to skin treatments, to an array of medicinal uses, it has been proven very effective in the maintenant of good health. The fatty acid composition of coconut oil is mainly saturated. Not to be alarmed, this plant based saturated fat is good for you! We need a certain percentage of saturated fat (plant-based) in our diet, and the saturated fatty acids in coconut like lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid combat against many ailments. From heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, bacterial and viral infections, coconut oil helps all. It is also known to increase immunity, digestion, bone health, liver function and act as a stress reliever.

Who wants to get their hands on some coconut oil now? :)



Not only are they delicious and healthy, but they made my apartment smells delicious for over 24 hours :)

Apart from being vegan (completely dairy, egg and animal bi-product free), they are also gluten-free and without refined sugar!

Now those are some treats with sharing!





Bliss Balls

2 cups of unsweetened coconut
2 cups of ground natural almonds
1/3 cup coconut oil
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 cup of maple syrup

1. Ground whole almonds in a food processor, Magic Bullet or blender.
2. In a large bowl, mix coconut, almonds, sea salt and coconut oil using fingers. Do not mix in syrup yet.
3. Once mixture is blended very well, add syrup.
4. Still using fingers mix together, and form into balls.
5. Place ball on a cooking sheet and into a 200F degree oven.
6. Bake for 4-5 hours.

For best results, after 4 or 5 hours, turn off oven and leave the balls in overnight.

Yield: 22 balls


Enjoy!

-Em :)