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Healthy & Tasty Protein Ball Recipe: Vegan and Gluten Free

You only need 6 ingredients for these energizing treats and making them will only take you 5 min! I love making these because they are a really easy way to get a quick energy boost, they're filling, full of protein, and easy to pack to bring on the go. I usually bring two to work every day to have as a snack because I know they will fill me up and give me energy, they are also so quick to grab in the morning when I am rushing out the door. Every ingredient has a nutritional purpose and is beneficial to your health, so you know when you eat these you're not only having a tasty snack but you are also benefiting your body. Each of the ingredients in these Protein Balls are extremely high in vitamins, nutrients, fiber, and in protein of course! Protein is essential to your health, for functioning to your fullest potential, and to the health of your skin. It is broken down into amino acids that are used to build and repair cells, if this cannot happen due to lack of protein it can lead to premature ageing. Each ingredient is also high in antioxidants meaning they are great for your skin and protecting it against free radicals which can also lead to premature aging. These bite sized vitamin and nutrient packed treats nurture your body with what it needs while giving you energy and keeping you full in between meals. There are no unnecessary ingredients or added processed sugars (only the natural sugar in the dates). They are so quick and easy to make and taste amazing. Here is how you make these Gluten free, Vegan Protein Balls, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

You will need:

• Organic Almond Butter (The one I love is by the brand Justins and is the original flavor)- Almond butter is filled with protein and there are also many other added nutritional benefits to almonds such as healthier hair. Organic Almond butter is an easy way to get a dose of almonds which have numerous health benefits and it is packs with vitamins and nutrients. It contains Calcium, Vitamin E, Magnesium, Vitamin E, Zinc, Iron, healthy fat which your body needs, Fiber, and Omega 3. It has also been shown to improve your Metabolism and assist in weight loss due to he fact that it is high in protein and low in calories so it will boost your energy levels. Almond butter is soso healthy for you and like Cacao it is something that should be included in everyone’s diet due to all the health benefits. Something you should be aware of however, is that a normal serving size is two table spoons, so this is why a protein ball is the perfect size. When buying Almond Butter, make it only has one ingredient which is Organic Almonds.
• Organic Cacao Nibs (Not Cocoa)- Cacao is one of the most nutritious foods you can eat, it truly is a superfood! Not many people are aware of all of the benefits of Cacao, I know I wasn’t until I started researching nutrition. It is different than Cocoa, although they sound very similar they are not the same. Cacao has not been processed (and Cocoa has) meaning it retains its antioxidants and nutrients and has no additives. You also must buy organic to ensure it has not been treated with any toxic pesticides or GMOs. You should look for “Raw Organic Fairly Traded Cacao”. It has 40x time amount of antioxidants found in blueberries, is the highest plant based source of iron (something many people are deficient in when they first go plant based), more calcium than milk, and naturally boost serotonin which boosts your mood and makes you happy. It is also naturally sugar free! I love this little super food because it helps me to load up on the vitamins and nutrients I need while remaining completely plant based. It is a misconception that you cannot get what you need from a plant based diet, and Cacao proves that by being such a vitamin and nutrient packed little superfood!
• Chia Seeds- In the Mayan language Chia means strength. This is very fitting because Chia seeds give you natural plant based energy that can be sustained for hours. There are also tons of health benefits to Chia seeds along with the skin and digestion benefits. They are very rich in Fiber, Omega 3, high in protein, and contain vitamins A, B, E and D, Zinc, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Antioxidants, and more.
• Gluten Free Oats- Gluten free whole grain oats are high in Antioxidants, Fiber, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, and Vitamin B. Oats are also a good source of carbs which provide your body with energy and help your body to metabolize protein. Oats are also very filling which helps to make these bites a sustainable snack and help you to not feel hungry in between meals.
• Organic Dates- Dates can be used to treat so many different health disorders such as Anemia and Intestinal Disorders amongst others. They are very rich in vitamins and nutrients like the other previous ingredients and are also high in Fiber and vitamins, promoting digestion, and are good for your skin. They are full of natural sugar making them a sweet addition to the treat, and they give you a quick boost in energy. However, they should be eaten in moderation if you are not looking to gain weight due to how high in sugar they are which is why they are a great in these nutrient packed energy bites, each containing only half a date per protein ball.
• Ceylon Cinnamon- Ceylon Cinnamon taste wonderful and has many health benefits. This is the most unprocessed natural cinnamon and it is much better and safer for you than traditional Cinnamon. It is useful for preventing against disease and benefiting your immune system. It is anti-inflammatory and contains antioxidants, both which benefit your skin. Many people don’t realize that there are different types of Cinnamon but it is important to make sure you get Ceylon Cinnamon which is more rare but it is the true natural cinnamon which contains the health benefits you are seeking while traditional Cassia Cinnamon can actually be toxic to the liver. If it does not say Ceylon Cinnamon it is most likely Cassia Cinnamon. And per usual make sure to get organic!

You can change the measurements to make more or less protein balls depending on your needs and what you are prepping for. The good thing about this recipe is you really don't need to be precise you can add more or less of each ingredient depending on your personal preferences.

Chop the dates, and remove the pits if there are any, into smaller pieces. If you want to save time you can buy them already pitted.

Next, add everything but the almond butter into a mixing bowl and then mix the ingredients together with your hands. It is a bit messy but doing it by hand is the easiest.

Now add the almond butter and continue to mix everything with your hands.

Once everything is fully mixed and the ingredients are equally distributed throughout the mixture grab a small about of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Once again you don't need to be precise with the sizing, but create a ball small enough so that you can pop it in your mouth.

Continue to roll the protein balls by hand and place them into a BPA free Tupperware and place it into the refrigerator. This will help the ingredients to stick together and harden but they do not need to stay refrigerated since none of the ingredients are perishable.

And that's it, super quick and easy and now you have an on the go healthy snack prepped for the next few days!