Nut and Seed Balls

These nut and seed balls are a great vehicle to pack in nutrients. They are full of protein and essential nutrients, such as vitamin E, zinc (good for the immune system), and magnesium. They are also full of essential fatty acids, particularly omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3's are great for nourishing your child's developing brain and preventing chronic disease.

And they are of course easy and delicious! We eat them for snacks and desert. I pack 1-2 in Cece's lunch as a nutrient-dense treat! And Cece has fun making them with me. Bonus!
Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup nut or seed butter (almond butter, pumpkin seed butter, sunflower seed butter, peanut butter, tahini etc)
• 1 cup dried fruit (dates, cranberries, cherries, raisins, goji berries)
• 1/4 cup chopped raw nuts or seeds (almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds)
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 3-4 tbsps ground flax (grind the flax seeds in coffee grinder or buy pre-ground seeds)
  
• Optional: 1-2 tbsps greens powder, or maca powder (see previous post)
  

• Topping to roll the balls in, set aside in a bowl: dried unsweetened coconut, puffed millet cereal, brown rice krispie cereal, sesame seeds

Directions:
Blend the dried fruit in a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients (excluding the topping such as coconut or sesame seeds) and process until a dough forms. If the dough is too dry, add a touch of water. If it is too sticky, add more chopped nuts or seeds. roll the dough into 1 inch balls and then coat them with the topping of your choice. Refrigerate in an air-tight container (tupper-ware) and enjoy!