It's true... you can have your chocolate and be healthy too!
Recently I've been finding it hard to grab a quick snack that kills the cravings!
No need to search further as we've found SUPER ORBS.
They are so quick and convenient and you can twist the ingredients to suit your taste buds.
YOU WILL NEED:
Dark Chocolate Powder (***NOT sweetened)
I like this organic powder, it is pretty expensive (AU$15), but you can rest assured that there are no hidden nasties.
Two types of seeds/nuts. I used sunflower/pumpkin/sesame seeds and some extra pepita's (the green ones)
1 cup dates (or any fruit)
1 cup apricots
(I substituted dates and apricots for Gogi berries, unsweetened organic desiccated coconut and a teaspoon of ground chili, which was delicious with the dark chocolate.)
A Food Processor is a must for finely ground ingredients.
2 Scoops of Protein Powder.
I use this Evolve one in vanilla flavour. It is whey based, and is great for people wanting to decrease their body fat but maintain their lean muscle. Plus... it's pretty delicious.
I didn't use the peanut butter in the balls, but you can add it in if you like.
The coconut oil butter is a great alternative for butters/oils... (coconut oil is fantastic for your hair/skin/nails plus it's cane sugar, gluten and dairy free.)
Spices! These three staples are perfect.
YOU WILL ALSO NEED:
Maple syrup. In the pure form and not the maple flavoured syrup.. be careful!
THE STEPS
- CHOP THOSE DATES and APRICOTS. Don't stress too much about getting them nice and small... the food processor will take care of the finer details.
2. ADD about 2/3 cup of each of your seeds.
You can add as much of as little as you like.. however, if you choose not to use oats, these will be the majority of your balls and you might like to add a little more.
3. ADD 2/3 cup maple syrup.
4. ADD 2 scoops protein powder (the scooper comes with your protein powder.)
5. ADD a heaped dessert spoon of your coconut oil/butter.
6. Give it a quick stir.
7. Transfer to blender. Whiz it until your ingredients are as fine as possible.
8. Take them out of the blender ADD 1/4 cup of dark chocolate/Maca powder.
9.ADD Spices.
1 tsp cloves.
1 tsp nutmeg.
about 2 tsp ground cinnamon.
10. MIX with hands and ROLL them into small balls.
You can add your chocolate powder gradually so you get the right amount of chocolate for your liking.
It is your choice of sizing.. I like to make mine quite small so I can have 2.. you feel like you're having more... but you're not.
11. Sometimes I like to roll my orbs in some almond meal.
TIP: If your orbs are too dry... add a little maple syrup (be careful not to add too much though)
12. Put in the fridge to firm up.
They don't need to be perfect... but they are DELICIOUS!
RECAP: For those who don't like to follow a picture recipe.
INGREDIENTS:
2/3 cup of maple syrup.
2/3 cup of two sorts of nuts/seeds.
1 cup dates.
1 cup apricots.
2 scoops of a whey dominant protein powder.
1/4 cup dark chocolate powder. Make sure it is unsweetened and preferably organic.
1 tsp cloves, 1tsp nutmeg and about 2 tsp ground cinnamon.
A dessert spoon of coconut oil butter.
METHOD:
1. CHOP THOSE DATES and APRICOTS.
Don't stress too much about getting them nice and small... the food processor will take care of the finer details.
2. ADD about 2/3 cup of each of your seeds.
You can add as much of as little as you like.. however, if you choose not to use oats, these will be the majority of your balls and you might like to add a little more.
3. ADD 2/3 cup maple syrup.
4. ADD 2 scoops protein powder (the scooper comes with your protein powder.)
5. ADD a heaped dessert spoon of your coconut butter.
6. Give it a quick stir.
7. Transfer to blender. Whiz it until your ingredients are as fine as possible.
8. Take them out of the blender then
ADD 1/4 cup of dark chocolate/Maca powder.
9. ADD Spices.
1 tsp cloves.
1 tsp nutmeg.
about 2 tsp ground cinnamon.
10. MIX with hands and ROLL them into small balls.
11. PLACE in the fridge to firm up.
12. ENJOY.
This recipe makes about 24 balls. Depending on what size you make them :)
**MAKE SURE YOU TRY THE SUBSTITUTED VERSION OF THIS RECIPE*
Substitute apricots and dates for Gogi Berries and Unsweetened, Desiccated Coconut.
Also for good taste and an extra kick for the metabolism add in 1/2 a teaspoon- 1 teaspoon of ground chili.
I got my recipe inspiration from a fellow blogger The Yummy Vegan
I didn't add salt... because I don't think there is any need for extra salt in our lives. There is way too much hidden sodium in everything we eat anyway!
I didn't add oats... I wanted my orb balls to be something I could eat at any time in the day and not only after exercise.
I ended up not adding the Peanut Butter for the same reason.
I only eat High Energy carbs (breads, pasta, rice, oats and potatoes) within 3 hours after I exercise.
