Cacao and Hemp Energy Balls -- delicious whole food fuel for vegans

My son calls these snowballs. The coconut on the outside is mostly so they won't be sticky. Crushed pecans or almonds would work too, but we were keeping it all nut free. One of my son's friend's has an allergy to nuts, and we like to have snacks he can enjoy too. These are delicious, balanced, snackable, satisfying, and perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert. I hope you like 'em as much as we do!

ingredients:

1 cup hemp hearts
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
2  cups shredded coconut

1/4 cup ground chia

3/4  cup raw cacao
1/2 tsp sea salt
1  tsp ground vanilla bean

1 1/2 cups pitted honey dates -- picked through

1 or 2 tbsp vanilla extract or water

directions:

For this recipe you will need a food processor or something that can also function like a food processor.

1. process hemp hearts, sunflower seeds, shredded coconut, ground chia, raw cacao, sea salt, and ground vanilla until perfectly reduced to dust.
2. add dates and pulse until combined well. Or until you lose your mind.
3. add vanilla and as little water as possible whilst running the processor until a thick dough forms. (Do not add too much water. If it isn't stuck together in a blob and is crumbly or sandy  looking, you need more water. If it's like a paste, you've added to much, and you won't be able to make it into balls. Press it into a silicone pan and chill, then cut into small squares if you end up adding too much water. It will still be delicious.)
4. let sit for a while
5. roll into balls, and roll the balls in shredded coconut. 

Simple Royal Gala apple sauce

We love apple sauce. I like to make a delicate, light tasting apple sauce from sweet apples such as gala or piñata, depending on what is available and what is affordable. You can throw in some pear as well if you like.  The lemon juice will balance the sweetness, and also keep the fruit from browning, giving the applesauce a more pleasing colour. This is delicious, and really easy to eat.

3 lbs organic gala apples, washed, cored, and cut into large chunks
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup lemon juice
pinch of sea salt
dash of vanilla extract


directed:

1. prepare the apples by washing and cutting into chunks. I never peel them. Use organic!!
2. stir well in a large pot so the apples all get coated in the lemon water
3. simmer for around 60 minutes until the apples are translucent and falling apart
4. puree lightly with an immersion blender -- don't puree to smoothness, though, leave it with some chunks.
5. put into jars, label, and freeze


This will make approximately 1 1/2 L of apple sauce. Jar it and store in the freezer if you won't eat it within a week.

Oatmeal Cookies (vegan and nut free)

School Starts Tomorrow.

Here are cookies. School safe cookies. They taste great, and have very few ingredients. Vegan, nut-free, healthy ... You know. Anyway, if you know someone who needs a little treat in their lunchbox ... We make them with raisins or with krisda chocolate chips. Easy peasy to make, and incredibly yummy.

1 cup oatmeal (I used large flake)
2 cups ground raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup tapioca starch
1 cup coconut sugar

1/2 tsp ground vanilla bean (optional. OPTIONAL. DON'T HATE ME. You can use a tsp of extract if you want)
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar

1/2 cup water

1 cup raisins or chocolate chips



1. combine ingredients excluding water and chocolate chips
2. stir well, then add water and mix into dough
3. add in chips, and stir well
4. scoop small balls of cookie dough onto a lined baking sheet (I use silicone liners, but parchment works)
5. flatten with a wet fork into rounds

preheat oven and bake at 345 for 20 minutes

They stuck to the silicone mat a little bit, so it was best to let them cool before removing them with a stainless steel spatula.

makes approx 3 doz depending on size