All tagged Dates

Salted Margarita Energy Balls

Salted Margarita Energy Balls

Chelsea Gloeckner
Blog

These Salted Margarita Energy Balls will have you thinking “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere!” Perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast, afternoon energy boost to power you through that 3 PM slump, or an after-dinner treat, this recipe for Salted Margarita Energy Balls is the answer 😊 Meal prep once, enjoy all week!

Serves: 10 (22 energy balls)

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

What (your ingredients):

1 cup raw cashews

1 cup rolled oats

½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Zest and juice of 1 lime

Pinch of salt

8 medjool dates (softened in hot water for 5 minutes if not already soft)

To serve: Maldon sea salt

How (your directions):

To a food processor, add the cashews, oats, coconut flakes, zest and juice of 1 lime, a pinch of salt, and the dates.

Pulse 10-15 times, then blend on high until a dough ball forms or the mixture sticks together when pressed between your fingers.

Roll a heaped tablespoon of the mixture into a ball between the palms of your hands. Repeat with the remaining mixture.

Serve by topping the energy balls with Maldon sea salt (to mimic the salted rim of a margarita).

Why (the science): These energy balls are incredibly filling and satisfying due to the balance of healthy fats (coconut), fiber-rich starch (oats), and protein (cashews).

Superfood Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie

Superfood Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie

Chelsea Gloeckner

This Superfood Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory superfoods, from cacao and cacao nibs, to gut-healing cauliflower and iron-rich spinach. The frozen cauliflower adds creaminess without you needing to add a banana! And the coconut is a healthy fat that helps your body absorb all of the nutrients from the mint and spinach. The cacao nibs make you chew your smoothie, which slows down your consumption and creates mindful eating.

Banana Oatmeal Cookies (Vegan, GF)

Banana Oatmeal Cookies (Vegan, GF)

Chelsea Gloeckner
Blog

These Banana Oatmeal Cookies are the bomb!  They have no processed sugar, are gluten-free, and vegan, so you can feel good about eating them any time of day.  Made with wholesome ingredients, they can be meal prepped and enjoyed for one-the-go breakfasts, snacks, or as a yummy dessert with a piece of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate on the side.  Bonus: they’re made in the food processor!  Ahem, minimal clean up 😊

Serves: 6

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

What (your ingredients):

2 ripe bananas

6 dates, pitted (make sure they’re soft and sticky)

1 tablespoon coconut oil, not melted

Pinch of salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups rolled oats

How (your directions):

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Add bananas, dates, coconut oil, salt, baking powder, and vanilla to a blender.  Pulse 10 times, then blend on high until smooth, about 30 seconds.

Add rolled oats and pulse 5-8 times.  You want the rolled oats slightly broken down to form a dough, but not blended so much that you end up with a paste or completely smooth dough.  Leave a little oat texture.

Spoon six cookies onto lined baking sheet.  Smooth edges, and create a flat top to the cookies using the back of your spoon.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Enjoy warm! 

Store remaining cookies in an airtight container for a week.  Reheat and serve with a drizzle of peanut butter and a side of fruit for breakfast.

Why (the science):  Oats and bananas are prebiotics, which means that feed the healthy bacteria in our gut, which improves our mood and immune system.

** Recipe inspired by Nutrition Refined

Chewy Trail Mix Bars | Raw, Vegan |

Chewy Trail Mix Bars | Raw, Vegan |

Chelsea Gloeckner
Blog

Chewy Trail Mix Bars are so incredibly yummy and nutritious, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make them soon!  One of the simplest recipes, Chewy Trail Mix Bars come together in 10 minutes, and will give you a satisfyingly sweet (but not too sweet!) breakfast or snack to enjoy on the go and during your busy day.  And when you make your own bars at home, you can be sure there are no preservatives, artificial and “natural” flavors, and other weird ingredients.  Wholesome and oh so good, these Chewy Trail Mix Bars will please child and adult alike 😊

Serves: 12

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

What (your ingredients):

10 dates

½ cup creamy peanut butter (drippy, natural)

¼ cup maple syrup

¼ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon cinnamon

2 cup oats

¼ cup sunflower seeds

¼ cup pumpkin seeds

¼ cup goji berries

How (your directions):

Line a medium baking dish (7x11) with parchment paper and set aside. 

Add dates to a bowl and cover with water.  Microwave on high for 60 seconds.  Dates should be gooey and sticky.  Remove the pits and add dates to a food processor.

Blend dates on high until a sticky paste forms.  Add peanut butter, maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon.  Blend on high until a dough ball forms. 

In a large bowl, add oats, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and goji berries.  Stir to evenly distribute ingredients.

Using your hands, take the date and peanut butter dough ball and add it to the dry ingredients.  Knead dry ingredients into the date and peanut butter dough until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.

Press dough firmly into the parchment-lined backing dish.  Refrigerate for 15 minutes. 

Remove from pan by lifting the parchment paper out of the baking dish.

Slice into 10 bars.  Enjoy immediately, or store in an airtight container for 5-7 days.

Why (the science):  The oats, nuts, seeds, and dates make these bars the ultimate energy boosting snack or breakfast on the go!  Keeping your blood sugar stable throughout the day is the key to improved mood, focus, and productivity. 

Mexican Hot Chocolate Superfood Raw Brownies | Vegan, GF |

Mexican Hot Chocolate Superfood Raw Brownies | Vegan, GF |

Chelsea Gloeckner
Blog

Serves: 6-12 people (makes 12 brownies)

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

What (your ingredients):

1 cup pecans

1 cup sliced almonds

12 dates, pits removed (Tip: if your dates are not sticky, soak them in boiling water for 5-10 minutes)

¼ cup cacao powder

½ teaspoon cinnamon

Pinch of Himalayan pink salt

Pinch of cayenne pepper

Toppings: pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, goji berries

How (your directions):

Add all ingredients (except toppings) to a food processor.

Blend for 1-2 minutes, until a dough forms.  Hint: if you can pinch the dough together between your fingers, the dough is ready.  If the dough does not stick together, add 1 teaspoon warm water and blend for 30 seconds. 

Pinch off 2-3 tablespoons of dough at a time, and press dough into each muffin cup in a silicone muffin mold (or into a lined muffin tin).  Repeat with remaining dough.

Press toppings onto each brownie.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm. 

Store in an airtight container for 5-7 days.

Why (the science):  The protein and fiber from the nuts, seeds, and dates will keep your blood sugar levels stable, meaning it’s the perfect pick-me-up snack for steady energy.  Stable blood sugar means better mood and reduced levels of anxiety!

Lemon Blueberry Muffin Energy Balls

Lemon Blueberry Muffin Energy Balls

Chelsea Gloeckner
Blog

Lemon Blueberry Muffin Energy Balls are the perfect snack to meal prep for the week ahead- they take 10 minutes to make, require zero cooking, lasts 5-7 days, and can be breakfast on the go, a snack, or preworkout fuel.  Does it get any better!? Plus, you know you’re reaching for something healthy when you crave something sweet and grab two of these.  Wholesome and delicious, these Lemon Blueberry Muffin Energy Balls will make your meal prep list every week.

Serves: 5 (makes 12-13 energy balls)

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

What (your ingredients):

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup raw whole cashews

Pinch of Himalayan pink salt

6 dates, pits removed

¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes

¼ cup dried blueberries

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

How (your directions):

Add all ingredients to a food processor.

Blend for 1-2 minutes, until one large dough ball forms.

Pinch off 2 tablespoons of dough at a time, and roll into an energy ball.

Store in an airtight container for 5-7 days.

Why (the science):  The protein and fiber from oats and cashews will keep your blood sugar levels stable, meaning it’s the perfect pick-me-up snack for steady energy.

Energy Boosting Smoothie (Banana-Free and Avocado-Free)

Energy Boosting Smoothie (Banana-Free and Avocado-Free)

Chelsea Gloeckner
Blog

This Energy Boosting Smoothie is the perfect start to a busy day, providing you with steady, even energy without the crash!  The Swiss chard and spinach are packed with iron to deliver oxygen throughout your body, and the matcha contains ECGC, an anticancer nutrient.  This Energy Boosting Smoothie is also banana and avocado free, making it a fresh way to drink your greens.  Dates provide sweetness, but are low glycemic, meaning they won’t give you a sugar high.  Cheers!

Serves: 1

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

What (your ingredients):

2 cups cold water

5 Swiss Chard leaves

1 handful spinach

1 teaspoon fresh ginger

½ teaspoon matcha

2 dates, pits removed

2 handfuls ice

How (your directions):

Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend on high for 45-60 seconds.

Enjoy immediately!

Why (the science):  Dates are loaded with potassium, an important electrolyte for regulating blood pressure.

Raw Vegan Pad Thai

Raw Vegan Pad Thai

Chelsea Gloeckner
Blog

This might be one of my absolute favorite ways to eat vegetables!  The Miso Pad Thai sauce alone is worth making- drizzle over greens or roasted vegetables- yum! Perfect for hot weather, this Raw Vegan Pad Thai will satisfy you for lunch or dinner while making you feel light and energized. 

Serves: 2

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

What (your ingredients):

Miso Pad Thai Sauce:

1 tsp ginger

1 tsp coconut aminos or soy sauce

1 tsp miso paste

¼ cup almond butter

3 medjool dates

Juice of ½ lemon

1 clove garlic

¼ cup warm water

Pad Thai:

2 large carrots

1 red bell pepper

2 medium zucchini, julienned

2 small English cucumbers, julienned

1 spring onion, sliced thinly

Toppings: sesame seeds, alfalfa sprouts, pinch of salt

How (your directions):

For the Miso Pad Thai Sauce, add all ingredients to a high-speed blender.  Blend on high for 1 minute until smooth.  Set aside while you prepare the Pad Thai ingredients.

Grate 2 large carrots and add to a large bowl.  Thinly slice 1 red bell pepper and add to the carrots. 

Using a vegetable peeler, julienne 2 zucchini.  When it becomes difficult to julienne the zucchini, dice the remaining zucchini into small pieces.   Add zucchini to the bowl.  

Repeat the julienne process with 2 English cucumbers.  Add cucumbers to the bowl.

Thinly slice 1 spring onion and add to the bowl. 

Pour the Miso Pad Thai Sauce over the prepared vegetables.  Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated in the sauce.

Serve immediately by diving the Pad Thai salad onto two plates.  Top with sesame seeds, alfalfa sprouts, and a pinch of salt. 

Tip: if preparing the Raw Vegan Pad Thai in advance, do not add the dressing, as the salt will pull out the water from the vegetables and make the salad soupy and watery.  Dress salad with the Miso Pad Thai Sauce when ready to serve.

Enjoy!

Why (the science):  Every vegetable has a different combination of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, so you’ll benefit from the array of colors in this salad!

Lemon Lavender Energy Balls |+ Video|

Lemon Lavender Energy Balls |+ Video|

Chelsea Gloeckner
Blog

Many treats with lavender are often in form of shortbread cookies or pound cakes, but these Lemon Lavender Energy Balls have zero added sugar (or butter or flour)!  Bring 2-3 energy balls for an easy on-the-go snack.  Perfect for that afternoon energy slump 😊

Serves: 4-5 (Makes 14 balls)

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

What (your ingredients):

1 cup raw cashews

1 cup dates

1 teaspoon culinary lavender

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

Coconut oil for hands

Desiccated coconut for rolling

How (your directions):

Blend cashews, dates, lavender, lemon zest, and lemon juice in food processor until it forms a ball.

Rub a small amount of coconut oil between your hands.  Pinch a tablespoon of dough into your hands, and roll into a ball.

Roll the ball into desiccated coconut.  Repeat with rest of dough.

Store in an airtight container for one week!

Why (the science):  Lavender has relaxing properties, found not only in breathing the aroma but also in its edible form!  These Lemon Lavender Energy Balls can help naturally relieve anxiety and stress.

Red Velvet Overnight Oats | + Video |

Red Velvet Overnight Oats | + Video |

Chelsea Gloeckner
Blog

You can indulge in dessert for breakfast with these overnight oats, which just happen to be vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, added sugar-free! The secret to that beautiful vibrant color is not food coloring, but rather a simple red beet.  Red Velvet Overnight Oats are meant to be the easiest grab-an-go breakfast for busy people, but they could easily be enjoyed between 2 people at the end of a long day for dessert 😉

Serves: 1

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 4 hours or overnight

What (your ingredients):

1 medium beet, raw

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 heaping tablespoon cacao powder (or unsweetened cocoa powder)

1 heaping tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut

2 dates, pits removed

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup oats

1 tablespoon chia seeds

How (your directions):

Wash and peel the raw beet, then roughly cut into cubes.

To a high-speed blender, add the beet, almond milk, cacao powder, coconut, dates, and vanilla.

Blend on high for 30-60 seconds until smooth.

In a glass container, combine oats and chia seeds.  Pour the red velvet beet mixture over the oats and chia seeds and stir until well combined.

Refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4 hours to allow the oats to soften and the mixture to firm up into a pudding-like consistency.

Top with walnut pieces, more shredded coconut, or even cacao nibs for added crunch,

Enjoy your dessert for breakfast!

Why (the science):  Beets are high in nitric oxide, which helps optimize performance for athletes!  This recipe gets you one step closer to improving your exercise game with the assist from beets 😊

 

Lemon Amaretto Cookies

Lemon Amaretto Cookies

Chelsea Gloeckner

If you love the Italian amaretto cookies, you’ll adore my new spin on the classic.  Amaretto is brightened with lemon zest and juice, and given a depth of sweetness from dried apricots and dates.  Made with oats, these cookies make a great breakfast, too!  Cookies for breakfast?  I won’t tell ;)

Why (the science):  Cookies that are incredibly sweet without any additional sugar?  Fiber from oats?  On the go energy?  That’s an incredible cookie!

 

Matcha and Cacao Truffles

Matcha and Cacao Truffles

Chelsea Gloeckner
Blog

Yes, truffles can be nutritious!  Made with nuts, seeds, fruit, and citrus zest, these truffles are gilded with superfood powders to give you long-lasting energy…truffles for breakfast anyone?

Why (the science):  Matcha powder provides an “alert calm” to get you through an afternoon slump, while cacao powder is a great source of fiber and iron.  Who knew?!