The festive season is officially here, and it is just so tempting to overindulge during this time of year – but you don’t have to. These recipes will help you jumpstart that New Year’s resolution a little earlier this year without feeling like you’re missing out on all the good stuff. Want more healthy holiday treats? Check out this recipe for Pumpkin Spiced Baked Oats.
Chocolate-Orange Protein Balls
I am a big fan of homemade energy balls. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also packed full of nutrient-rich ingredients such as oats, dates, and cacao to help boost our energy levels and support good health in general. In this recipe, each ball is filled with protein, heart-healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, fibre, plus a whole host of minerals and antioxidants. Post-holidays, you can enjoy this snack as a quick pick-me-up in the afternoon or alongside your morning tea/coffee to get you going with your day! These chocolate-orange protein balls can be made in larger batches and placed in the freezer so you always have them on standby.
Ingredients
- 1.5 scoops chocolate-orange protein powder
- 50g oats
- 2.5 tbsp coconut oil
- 50g dates
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- pinch of salt
- water, as needed
- desiccated coconut for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Combine and blend all the ingredients together in a blender.
- Blend until everything is crumbly and broken down so it’s easy to form into balls.
- Add splashes of water to the blended mixture as needed to allow ingredients to combine with each other.
- Scoop a tablespoon of the mixture. Roll into a ball and place in a serving dish that can go into the fridge.
- Place the chocolate-orange balls in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Snickers Date Bites
These chocolate-covered peanut butter stuffed dates taste just like Snickers but are so much better for you as they’re naturally sweetened – perfect if the stress of this season prompts you to reach for those candy bars. Besides, once you have a chocolate-covered date, you will not want them any other way! And with only five ingredients, it’s so easy to make. These treats aren’t limited to the holiday season – if you love having something sweet in the middle of the day or after dinner, make a larger batch, store them in the freezer, and enjoy whenever the craving strikes.
Ingredients
- dates
- peanut butter
- peanuts
- dark chocolate
- Himalayan salt
Directions
- Cut open date and remove the seed.
- Spoon in some peanut butter.
- Add about two whole peanuts into the peanut butter center of each date.
- Melt the dark chocolate and drizzle (lavishly) on top.
- Sprinkle a little Himalayan salt on top of each date.
- Place dates in the freezer until set (about 15 minutes).
