These days, healthy eating has become a top trend across the country – and it’s no surprise why. Incorporating high-protein foods into your diet has so many health benefits.
It can help you maintain weight loss, boost your energy levels, and support strong muscles and bones.
And lucky for us – there are tons of protein packed, d’lish options that not only taste great, but are easy to make and totally portable.
My go-to snack are Energy Nut Balls – chock full of dates, sesame seeds, cacao nibs, and nuts. No baking required! It’s the perfect grab-and-go bite that keeps you feeling full and energized. You can even customize it with your favorite ingredients – nut butter, a drizzle of honey, goji berries or oats. Get creative with it! I love to roll mine in coconut flakes for an added crunch.
Or how about roasted chickpeas – tossed in olive oil, seasonings, and baked until crunchy perfection. These healthy legumes are packed with fiber.
So get snacking! Happy cooking everyone.
-Kathy
Coconut Lime Cashew Energy Balls
These are also delicious when made with lemon – or try a combo of both lemon and lime!
Makes: 24 balls
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
3/4 cup dried apricots
1/4 cup freshly squeezed Sunkist® Lime juice
2 tablespoons hot water
1 tablespoon Sunkist® Lime zest
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1 cup gluten free rolled oats
2 tablespoons ground flax seed
3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
1 1/2 cups unsweetened flake coconut
1 cup raw cashews
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
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1/4 cup desiccated coconut, for rolling
Directions:
Tear the apricots and put in a small bowl and toss with the lime juice and hot water, press the apricots into the liquid with a fork. Let soak for 10 minutes.
Place the apricot mixture and liquid, zest, turmeric, ginger, oats, flax seed, and coconut oil in a food processor and process until mixture just comes together.
Add the flake coconut, cashews and pumpkin seeds and pulse until seeds are broken down and chopped into the mixture.
Portion the mixture into heaping tablespoons and roll into balls, then roll in desiccated coconut to coat.
Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Bring to room temperature before enjoying.
Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® for Sunkist®
