Samoas Bites (Healthy Version of the Girl Scout Cookies)

These were a big hit at my nutrition class last night! Thanks ladies for being open-minded to open your mouths to so many new foods and combinations :) This is a healthy version of Samoas Girl Scout cookies so healthy that you could eat them for breakfast! I've enjoyed Samoas Girl Scouts Cookies long before I labeled myself as a person who likes coconut.  Here you go!

Samoas Bites (Healthy Version of the Girl Scout Cookies)

1-3/4 c walnuts
1 c raisins, unsweetened
1/2 c cocoa, unsweetened
1/2 c rolled oats, we use Old Fashioned
1/6 c chia seeds
1/3 c water
1/2 c coconut, shredded, unsweetened, plus extra for outer coating :)

Blend all but the coconut in a food processor for a minute, then add coconut. Process until mixture comes together as a dough. Transfer to plastic bag and form into balls. Roll in shredded coconut to add a bit of fanciness :)

HEALTH OF COCONUT 

As often as possible, I try to choose unprocessed, plant foods, so coconut is in the mix. Unsweetened, shredded coconut provides a unique FLAVOR and some FIBER. However, the jury is still out regarding the health benefits. While there are endless lists of all that coconut can do for you, they aren't always backed by scientific data. Due to saturated fat content, reliable sources even put coconut in the same category as animal fat. Since animal products have many other harmful components, I would definitely limit meat well before I would limit coconut. On the other hand, there is no need to try to learn to like coconut in an attempt to be healthy. If you enjoy the taste, choose UNSWEETENED, and appreciate it!

There are plenty of awesome fats that are especially HEALTHY, which include nuts, seeds (especially chia and ground flaxseeds), and avocados!  WHY EAT HEALTHY FATS!

Unfortunately, when choosing which "butter-type" fats to consume, there doesn't seem to be a magic bullet, a best option. While all are saturated, options include COCONUT butter, EARTH BALANCE BUTTERY SPREAD, and EARTH BALANCE VEGAN BUTTERY STICKS. Always use as little as possible, treat as a treat.

Here is an interesting Huffington Post article by Dr Katz, director or Yale Prevention Research Center: Is All Saturated Fat the Same? which provides a sort of "history of macronutrient trends".