Carrot cake energy balls

By Mercedes Kay Gold, CNP, CPT

Carrots are bunny’s besties, but this holistic health lover is also orange obsessed. My snack recipe is on-the-go and tasty. Conventional carrot cake is far from beneficial thanks to seed oils, processed grains and heaps of sugar. Thriving at any age is about lowering inflammation throughout the body. Eating a nutrient-dense diet centered around raw whole foods is a fast pass to feeling fabulous.

Your super satisfying snack ingredients should be 100 per cent natural. The energy ball is simple.

Carrots are eye-boosting, immune supporting and fiber filled. Between the sunflower seeds and walnuts plus coconut, these healthy fats support blood sugar regulation. Seeds and nuts are plant protein perfection, too. The magic of Medjool dates is undeniable. They are sweet yes, but due to the fiber, spiking insulin is not a concern. Ceylon cinnamon is Mother Nature’s true cinnamon, linked to lowering blood sugar.

My answer to carrot cake: let’s roll!

This recipe yields 12 super-sized balls of energy! Each contains 180 calories.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw unsalted sunflower seeds
• ½ cup raw walnuts
• ½ cup sulfite-free unsweetened shredded coconut, plus extra for rolling
• ½ tsp Ceylon cinnamon
• 14 soft medjool dates*
• 2/3 cup of carrots scrubbed and sliced (I never peel)
• ½ teaspoon Himalayan Sea salt

Directions:

• *Cut dates in half and remove pits. If the dates are dry, soak in boiling water to soften. Drain and proceed to the next step.
• All the ingredients go into the food processor. Pulse until well combined.
• Roll into balls.
• Roll through shredded coconut.

Store in the fridge or freeze in bulk. The snack is also an awesome add-in. Cut in half and throw into yogurt or cottage cheese for a satisfying small nutrient-dense meal. As a decadent dessert, melt dark chocolate and dip each ball then roll through the shredded coconut. Place in the freezer for the chocolate to harden. Take out 10 minutes before serving.

Mercedes Kay Gold is a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Holistic Nutritionist who loves helping others live their best life when not spending time with her children and grandchildren, Theodore and Aila. She can be reached at mercedeskaygoldfitness@gmail.com