Coconut Chocolate Truffles

Holiday cookie exchanges are just around the corner. Why not bring a treat that everyone can feel good about eating? These coconut chocolate truffles taste so yummy, no one will even suspect they are healthy. Trust me. I just tried them out on Daniel’s co-workers and everyone at the office was gobbling them up!

Coconut Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted dates (about 8-10)
• 1 cup walnuts
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• pinch sea salt
• 2 Tbsp shredded coconut for rolling

Preparation Instructions

1. Pour boiling water over dates and soak for 15 minutes.
2. Put dates and walnuts in food processor and pulse.
3. Add cocoa powder, cinnamon and sea salt to food processor and pulse.
4. Add vanilla and coconut oil to food processor and pulse.
5. Shape into 12 balls and roll in shredded coconut.
6. Place in the freezer for about 20 minutes before serving if possible. Store in the refrigerator.

Fuel Facts

Numbers: 120 calories, 2 g protein, 7 g fat, 17 g carbs, 3 g fiber

            **For 1 truffle

Ingredient Breakdown:

v Dates – One of nature's many gifts, dates are one of the best natural sweeteners. Not only are they sweet, but they contain high amounts of fiber, promoting good digestion & intestinal health.

v Walnuts – These are the only nuts that are a significant source of omega-3 fatty acids, containing 2.5 grams per ounce. Strong evidence exists to support the role of omega 3 fatty acids in lowering the risk for heart disease and preventing inflammation. A number of studies have also found benefits in relation to mood, brain function and healthy skin.

v Cocoa Powder – Flavanoids, epicatechin and catechin, are responsible for the heart healthy benefits of unsweetened cocoa powder. Epicatechin helps increase blood flow, and therefore blood pressure, by relaxing muscles in the blood vessels. Unsweetened cocoa powder are also contains significant amounts of iron, manganese, magnesium and zinc.

v Cinnamon – Many studies have shown the stabilizing effects of cinnamon on blood sugar. This is beneficial for anyone who wants to keep energy levels constant throughout the day, and especially helpful for diabetics or those who experience hypoglycemia. Cinnamon has also been shown to act as an anti-inflammatory by limiting the release of arachidonic acid from cell membranes, a fatty acid that typically causes inflammation.

v Vanilla – Using vanilla in baked goods enhances the flavor, decreasing the need for large amounts of sugar. Some believe it may have aphrodisiac effects and help with intestinal gas, but neither of these benefits have been confirmed through research.

v Coconut Oil – About 92 percent of the fat in coconut oil comes from saturated fats. You have probably heard that saturated fats are bad for you and to avoid them in your diet. In general, the rule is to limit saturated fats to less than 10 percent of your total intake. However, not all of these fats are created equal.

Unlike other oils, coconut oil has a high percent of medium chain fats which are smaller and easier for the body to break down. Instead of storing these shorter chain fats, the body is more likely to use them for energy. This may not lead to weight loss, but it will certainly boost your energy. A few studies have also shown those who consume coconut oil have an increase in HDL (good) cholesterol and a decrease in LDL (bad) cholesterol.