A sweet treat you can feel good about

Looking for a healthy snack option that also tastes delicious? These raspberry and coconut bliss balls are just the ticket. Packed with goodness from oats, nut and berries, they’ll keep your heart healthy, while satisfying all your cravings. The ideal 3pm pick-me-up, these bliss balls feel like a decadent sweet treat, without the nasty highs and lows of refined sugar. Kids will love finding one of these in their lunchbox.

Each ingredient in these bliss balls delivers specific heart-health benefits. Oats are packed with soluble fibre to help lower harmful LDL cholesterol levels, promote healthy gut bacteria and balance blood sugar levels. Almonds are a great source of monounsaturated fat to help manage inflammation and promote healthy cholesterol levels. Raspberries are loaded with antioxidants which help keep blood vessels healthy and protect LDL cholesterol from harmful oxidation. Dates are high in fibre and potassium to promote healthy cholesterol and blood pressure.

The high fat, protein and fibre content of these bliss balls makes them a satisfying snack – one of these for afternoon tea should see you right through until dinner. Plus they’re super simple to make, so you can whip up a batch in less than ten minutes.

Looking for more healthy snack options? Here are a few ideas:

• Two to four pieces of sushi
• Vegetable sticks with hummus (carrot, celery and capsicum are great)
• Fresh fruit and organic, sugar-free, natural yoghurt
• Wholegrain crackers or rice crackers with cottage cheese or avocado
• Berry smoothie (combine fresh or frozen berries with organic, sugar-free natural yoghurt, one to two tablespoons of oats and a splash of milk)
• Wholegrain or gluten free toast with nut butter (Almond, cashew or brazil nut butters are delicious)

Raspberry and coconut bliss balls
Raw, vegan and gluten free

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (100 g) raspberries, fresh or frozen
• ¾ cup (80 g) oats
• ¼ cup (35 g) ground almonds*
• ⅓ cup (20g) shredded coconut
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil
• Pinch of salt
• 4 pitted fresh dates
• Unsweetened cocoa powder or extra shredded coconut, optional

Method

1. Place all ingredients in a food processor and process until you get a sticky dough. If mixture is very dry and doesn’t bind together, add a few drops of water.
2. Take large teaspoons of the mixture and roll into balls.  Coat with shredded coconut or roll in unsweetened cocoa powder if you like.
3. Place the finished balls on a tray lined with wax paper and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. Store in an airtight container in the fridge, or freeze for up to a month.

*Or grind fresh raw almonds into almond flour.

Recipe taken from Del’s Cooking Twist and modified slightly. http://www.delscookingtwist.com/2017/10/17/berry-bliss-balls-raw-vegan-gluten-free/