Sczebel - Energy Balls

First published in the United States of America in 2017
by Chronicle Books LLC.

Copyright 2017 by Toucan Books Ltd.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

ISBN 9781452159355 (epub, mobi)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Names: Sczebel, Christal, author.
Title: Energy balls / by Christal Sczebel.
Description: San Francisco : Chronicle Books, [2016] | Includes index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016026958 | ISBN 9781452158884 (pb : alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Cooking (Nuts) | Snack foods. | Gluten-free dietRecipes. |
LCGFT: Cookbooks.
Classification: LCC TX814 .S435 2016 | DDC 641.6/45dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016026958

Editorial Director: Ellen Dupont
Associate Publisher: Sarah Bloxham
Project Editor: Julie Booke
Proofreader: Marion Dent
Designer: Leah Germann
Food styling and photography: Christal Sczebel

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www.chroniclebooks.com

What happens when you take wonderful whole-food, energy-boosting ingredients, whirl them together in a food processor, and then roll them together lovingly with your hands? Youll have made a simple, convenient, pop-in-your-mouth, flavorful energy ball to enhance your stamina and put a little pep in your step.

When it comes to snacks, there are plenty of options, but they may not be as healthy as they appear. Granola bars can be chock-full of refined sugars, crackers are sometimes filled with hydrogenated oils, and some fruit snacks have barely a hint of real fruit in them! With so many options, it can be confusing to know what to choose to fuel your body.

As a nutritionist, people often ask me to recommend convenient snacks that will ward off cravings, hunger pangs, and energy slumps. Energy balls are the answer. These snacks are quick and fun to make and easy to store and carry; plus, they taste amazing.

We all have busy lives and need the right fuel to give our brains and bodies a steady stream of energy throughout the day. Energy balls fit the bill at any time. Whether its a couple of breakfast balls in the morning, a lunch-box ball at midday, a brain-boosting ball when you need extra mental stamina, a performance-enhancing ball for sports, or a bedtime ball to increase libido or promote calming energy in the evening, theres one to suit your needs.

The ingredients you use to make the energy balls in this book are superior to any packaged or processed snack. They contain raw nuts, seeds, dried fruits, superfoods, nut flours, nutritional powders, whole grains, and more. All of these are unrefined, natural, and provide ample amounts of vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, proteins, and slow-release carbohydrates for sustained energy.

By eating these foods, you can cut out the refined sugars, artificial colors and flavors, and sweeteners found in other snacks that will decrease your energy. Refined and artificial ingredients place a toxic load on the body, forcing it to work even harder to rid them from our system. This in turn essentially robs our bodies of energy, leaving us with that sluggish feeling and those dreaded crashes.

While making homemade snacks might not sound like the most efficient route, once you have made your first batch of energy balls, youll realize just how easy they areand after one bite, youll be hooked! So what are you waiting for? Its time to learn how to boost your energy naturally with 100 delicious energy balls.

The following ingredients are the building blocks for creating energy balls that are nutrient-rich, hold together well, and have a nice chewy texture.

Almonds are rich in magnesium, calcium, and iron, and are a source of healthy unsaturated fats. They create texture, add bulk, and, thanks to the healthy fats they contain, make you feel full.

Almonds

This rich, velvety paste has all the benefits of almonds and adds moisture and richness. Choose a natural butter that contains only almonds to avoid the sugars and oils added to some butters.

Use almond flour in energy balls for a softer, chewier consistency. It adds bulk and healthy fats, and blends well with dried fruit.

Almond milk adds moisture to energy balls and helps to bind the ingredients together. Always buy unsweetened almond milk. If you do not like almond milk, or need to avoid it, substitute another nondairy milk, such as oat, soy, rice, flax, hemp, or coconut milk.

This unrefined sweetener is a great alternative to regular sugars. A great vegan alternative to honey, it is a source of manganese, iron, potassium, and magnesium.

Raw cacao powder is made from cacao beans. The fat is removed through a process that keeps the nutrients intact. Cocoa powder is produced from roasted cacao beans and may have lost some nutrients. You can substitute cocoa powder for raw cacao powder. Both contain magnesium, iron, calcium, and vitamin B6.

Raw cashews contain healthy unsaturated fats, protein, and carbohydrates and are a source of magnesium, iron, and vitamin B6. In energy balls, they create a crunchy texture and add bulk.

Cashews

Shredded unsweetened coconut is rich in fats and fiber, and adds bulk and flavor. Unlike dried or desiccated coconut, it increases the moisture content of energy balls. It contains vitamins C and E, B vitamins, iron, selenium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.