I always have days where I’m rushing around with no time to spare and in need of some quick nourishment. I normally grab a few pieces of fruit, nuts or seeds and try to munch them down in the car spilling things everywhere 😉 This week, I started experimenting with different variations of protein balls and came up these yummy Spirulina Power Balls to take on my car rides. They take around 10 minutes to make and end up being much healthier and more cost effective then buying them. I love spirulina so I added it in to give them an extra boost of goodness for my thyroid.
A spoonful of Spirulina is rich in iodine, which is needed for healthy thyroid for metabolism. Spirulina is a member of the single-cell blue algae family and is about 70 percent protein to support a healthy immune system. Raw nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cashew and brazil are full of good fats, protein, antioxidants and fiber. Studies by the American journal of clinical nutrition found that eating a small handful of raw nuts per day can help control weight and reduce hunger, food cravings as well as help lower cholesterol. For an omega 3 boost you can swap all the nuts in this recipe for walnuts. I also love adding cinnamon to a lot of the food I cook because it has the power to help your body metabolize sugar and reduce insulin levels. Eating as little as 1/4 to 1 teaspoons of cinnamon a day is all you need to see the effects as well as cut cholesterol from 10 – 25 percent.
This batch of power balls should last up to 4 weeks in the fridge and make a delicious healthy snack or meal any time of day. Enjoy.
Makes 20 protein balls
2 cups whole raw sprouted/soaked almonds
2 cups whole raw sprouted/soaked cashew nuts
1/2 cup sprouted pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup hemp seeds
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 T. @Beaming Superfood Pure Vanilla Bean and Cinnamon Protein powder
1 tsp. spirulina powder
16 whole fresh pitted organic dates
1 tsp. of vanilla extract
squeeze lemon juice
coconut to roll
For additional omega 3’s us 2 cups of walnuts instead of cashews
Combine all the dry ingredients into a food processor. (almond, cashew, protein powder, pumpkin seed and sea salt) process until you get a crumb like consistency. Add dates and vanilla and process again. Squeeze the mixture and it should start to combine, if now add 2 more dates. Squeeze over a little lemon juice and process for the last time. The mix should come together when squished with the hands. Using a small ice cream scoop or teaspoon divide mix into 20 balls. Roll in coconut and store covered in the fridge until needed.
