One of the comments I get from clients all the time is that they need help with snack ideas.
It’s so easy for us to go back to old habits when we are tired & stressed….that’s why our snacks (especially in the evenings) often look the same. We are too tired to think of something new or creative, so instead we reach for the same old thing that we always do, (and grind that habit just a little bit deeper into our brains while we are at it).
The solution? Plan ahead and have some snack options on hand, so when you are tired or stressed you have something already in the fridge (or cupboard) to easily reach for.
Give these coconut oatmeal balls a try. They take about 15 minutes to whip up, store well in the fridge or you can double (or triple!) the recipe and put some in the freezer so you are fully stocked.
To help with healthy snacking ideas I’m going to create a little recipe book with some of my favourite options, but for now….get started and give these a try.
Ingredients
- 3 Medjool dates (or 5-6 smaller dates)
- 4 dried apricots
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 3 Tbsp coconut flour (or 4 Tbsp regular flour)
- 2 Tbsp hemp hearts
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cardamom
- 1/8 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp ground clovves
- Pinch of ground black pepper
- 1 cup finely grated carrot
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut for coating
In the food processor bowl with the S blade, pulse together the dates, apricots, coconut oil, pumpkin puree and vanilla until well combined. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed.
Add oats, flour, hemp hearts, spices and carrot. Process until well combined and mixture sticks together when pinched between your fingers.
Roll mixture into small balls and roll in coconut to coat. Refrigerate for a few hours and eat.
The balls freeze well. Thaw at room temperature for about 20 minutes before eating.
If you want to add more protein to these balls add in some peanut or almond butter (if you do this, increase the quantity of oats a bit), or add nuts to the mixture (if you do this, add another date or two, to keep the mixture moist enough to roll into balls).
Marisa is BCRPA personal trainer and a fun-fitness-fanatic living the active dream in beautiful Vancouver, BC. She hikes, swims, runs, bikes, bootcamps & yoga's as much as possible, outdoors when possible, and believes everything is possible. Find her on the web at www.motivatedmovementpt.com and on Facebook and Instagram.