I'm wrapping up the final recipes for The Belly Burn RESET that kicks off in a couple of weeks. Making these Choco-Coco bites wasn't exactly on the agenda, but I was running out of the homemade cookies I made for my kids and needed something else (made quickly) that they'd like. So this fit the bill and then some) for a healthy chocolate snack.
Glancing at the paragraph that I wrote above, it really sounds like I must have cupboards stocked full of healthy baked treats. I don't. I mean, I love creating new recipes, but I think of myself as more of a "cooker" and less of a "baker." Bless all of you out there who bake frequently. I have a notebook in my kitchen that I keep next to my oven to write my recipes in. After I perfect a recipe for something baked (like these homemade thin mints), I take a few cute pictures, send the recipe to you and move on to the next fun recipe. I'm a serial baker.
I don't know why I'm rambling on so much about baking as these little bites of yum require zero oven time. They are bake-free and done in just a few minutes. Like I said, I was in a pinch for time. I'm really busy finalizing the recipes for The Belly Burn RESET (the next phase of The Belly Burn Plan) at the moment. But it all went down like this (unnecessary drama added) I was knee deep in Sweet Potato Kale Soup when I accidentally grabbed the container of chia seeds instead of sea salt. I looked over at my blender and decided to make it happen right then and there.
I make a conscious effort to make very few exceptions in the quality of the ingredients I buy when I make just about anything. I can't stress the importance of eating as clean as possible, and how much of an impact it can make on your overall energy and health. If you've ever shifted from a refined diet to a whole foods diet, you know what I'm talking about. Unfortunately, most people never know how good they could feel if they ate better - primarily because feeling less-than-great has become the norm.
I used dark chocolate chips in this recipe. Lily's is a brand I like. I also used an abundance of shredded coconut and chia seeds. I opted to add dates to help bind the balls together. All-in-all, every ball has about one date in it.
From start to finish, it took about 10 minutes to finish the balls. I put them in the fridge for about 30 minutes, then dusted them with cocoa. This is definitely something you can make while preparing dinner. These little bites will be ready to serve before you finish your meal.
Choco-chia Bites
Makes 12 to 14
1 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
12 dates
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup chia seeds
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Preparation
1. Add all ingredients to a food processor or a high powered blender (like a Vitamix)
2. Initially begin by pulsing a few times, then blend at medium for about a minute, or until ingredients are blended. Ingredients should be finely milled, about the size of a grain of sand.
3. Transfer mixture to a medium-size bowl.
4. Taking a small amount, roll into 1 inch balls and lay on a flat transferable surface (such as a plate or baking sheet).
5. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
6. Dust with cocoa (optional) and serve. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container.
