Chocolate Cherry Torte Energy Balls ~ Laraballs (Revised)

4 Checkmarks from Dr Greger's Daily Dozen!

Note: Kirkland cherries have added sugar...but I still like the pic :)

(I LOVE BERRIES AND CHOCOLATE)

Chocolate Cherry Torte Energy Bites ~ Laraballs
(Original Post)

1 c walnuts

1/2 c dried cherries, unsweetened
1/2 c dates, pitted
1/2 c cocoa, unsweetened
1/4 c flaxseed, ground
1/2 Tbsp water

Blend well with a food processor (set a 90 sec timer) and shape how ever you like! Larabars are a favorite treat in my house and super-healthy (read more here).

Transfer the mix in a resealable sandwich bag and shape into balls from outside bag. They can be stored at room temp or in the frig. Easy as that!

Check out this Google Image Search to get the idea of the flavor I was going for - healthy style ;)

Use a quart sized bag for this recipe since I doubled the original,
...or you could follow the photo and use two sandwich bags.

Good for the Naughty (I'll take this coal any day!)

Good for the Nice (give as a gift, even send in the mail!)

Black Forest Smoothie

A simple and refreshing smoothie from a friend!

Thank you Melissa for the lovely combination!  I've never actually had Black Forest cake, though I'm sure I would love it, and this drink sure hit the spot!

Black Forest Smoothie

1 cup water (so everything will blend)
2 cups fresh spinach (2 hearty handfuls)
1/4 c unsweetened cocoa (or less if you don't want a super strong chocolate flavor)
1 1/2 cups frozen, unsweetened cherries (I used a variety of 3 cherries in bag from Costco)

Blend and enjoy!

Makes 4 cups.

It was perfect right away -- chocolate-cherry yumminess with a milk shake consistency!

Check out: All Things Chocolate and Cherry

and

Chocolate Cherry Torte Mousse

COMMENTS: How is 2014 treating you?  I am very excited about this new year -- I like the look and sound and feel of it, 2014 :)  However, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed.  So many wonderful things going on, ... it's challenging to keep track!

Peace be with you :)

3-Ingredient Super-Shake!

3-Ingredient Super-Shake

1 c almond milk (substitute non-dairy kefir* or other non-dairy milk)
¼ c chia seeds (read about healthy fat!)
1 c berries
Optional: 1/4 c unsweetened cocoa (click here for more chocolate and berry treats!)
Blend and enjoy! *I haven't ever made my own non-dairy kefir, but here is a link if you want to try!

KEFIR is awesome! It has lots of vitamins, minerals, and protein! The best part-- it's loaded with HEALTHY BACTERIA! Have you heard of the health benefits of yogurt? Immunity, digestive, vaginal, and bladder health, and much more -- read here! Well, kefir can provide “yogurt benefits” much more POTENTLY, since it contains many different cultures, while some yogurts only offer one!

CHIA seeds are awesome! Jam-packed with nutrients and used for 1000s of years as a sports and energy staple! The coolest nutrition it provides is omega-3 fat: the thing that is so great about FISH, AND a nutrient in which 98% of the American population is deficient!   The seeds are teeny tiny, super cute, and you can add them to just about any food! This of course could be a whole other post too, but for now, just read this great article if you want to know more about chia! And/or read this book: Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Ever Seen by Christopher McGougall.

BERRIES are awesome! Full of ANTIOXIDANTS (a bit more here under #3), vitamins, sweetness, and flavor! You’ve probably heard all about them. They help your brain keep working well, and keep the cancer away! You can get them frozen and organic at Costco, for a fraction of the cost at another grocer, and frozen makes this drink really like a dessert! You can even eat it with a spoon if you eat quickly!
 

 

 

The finished product!

A very happy and satisfied taster!

 

TELL ME IN A COMMENT! Do you make smoothies? Do you add sugar/honey/juice? Have you tried skipping those sweeteners? What is your favorite flavor? What about adding veggies? Other powders, flax, wheat bran, powdered milk? Nuts/nut butters?