Tahini Coconut Superfood Balls

What The Fork Wednesday!

Friends, WHY did I wait so long to try tahini??? How has no one told me about this delicious stuff?? My guess is because sesame seeds grounded and transformed into a creamy paste doesn't sound too appealing. Forget how it sounds, you must try it. It almost tastes like peanut butter...or any light nut butter. How can you say no?

I've been dipping and drizzling my way through the tahini jar for the past couple of weeks, dreaming of all the combos to create, which foods taste delish when paired, etc. I really couldn't find anything it didn't taste good with....ha! Okay maybe pickles. I do believe tahini can be used in countless ways, both savory and sweet. Drizzled over meat, in your daily protein shakes or smoothies, a dip for roasted veggies, in parfaits, and my personal favorite -- making healthy sweet treats!

Tahini Coconut Superfood Balls. 

Need I say more?

This recipe beholds some of my most essential ingredients for a healthy, shiny, energetic, feelin' GOOD self. FULL of omega 3's and 6's, maca, chia, flax, and hemp hearts bring loads of nutrients to the table. Coconut flakes and coconut oil add more healthy fats, fiber, is a metabolic stimulator, and helps to lower cholesterol. Brazil nuts are basically magic. They provide the body with selenium - a powerful anti inflammatory (thyroid says yes please), magnesium, thiamine, and protein. Cinnamon to regulate blood sugar levels, banana for creaminess & sweetness without added sugar, and you have to have the pinch of salt to bring out alllllll the flavors.

If you're thinking that you'll never use these ingredients again after this recipe (I used to do this/be overwhelmed by just glancing at long ingredient list), I encourage you to rethink that thought....because self experimentation with foreign food is how you realllllly get to know food. You can snack on any of the nuts raw, oil for cooking, throw hemp/chia/flax/maca/coconut into smoothies, yogurt toppings, salad toppings, granola additions, shoot just go ahead and make a double batch of these! Perfect for on the go, snacking, and a great replacement for the nightly sweet treat.

Ingredients:
2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
1 cup blanched almond flour
1/2 cup tahini
1 small ripe banana
1/4 cup walnuts
1/4 cup Brazil nuts
2 T coconut oil
2 T hemp hearts
2 T chia seeds
1 T flaxseed meal
1 T maca powder
1/2 t vanilla extract
1/4 - 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of Himalayan salt
30g of stevia sweetened chocolate or dark chocolate, melted & drizzled

Recipe:
Put everything into your food processor. Blend, ball up, drizzle, put in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, then into a tupperware. I keep mine in in the fridge up to 10 days.

Notes:
You can easily replace most of these ingredients with something else of your likings! Allergic to any of the nuts? Just replace with your favorite. (I don't recommend using cashews. They will make the mixture TOO creamy and turn it into a butter.) Sub coconut flour for almond, or let's say you just don't like the flavor of tahini -- replace the tahini with any nut butter. That sort of thing. Add cacao powder for a chocolatey punch, or dates for a little added sweetness. Macros will vary.

Enjoy!