Bliss balls are an easy to make, tasty, natural and healthy treat the whole family will enjoy. Kids need some help sometimes to assist with school and learning. Aside from water, nothing beats brain health better than nuts! Nuts and dates have high protein content too which is also important for good brain health. So really, these could also be called “Brainy Protein Balls”.

Ingredients

1 cup Almonds

1 cup Brazil Nuts

1/2 cup Walnuts

1 tablespoon Cacao Powder

3-5 Medjool Dates

1/2 cup dedicated coconut or sesame seeds

Method/Steps

1. ‘Activate’ the nuts! -Soak the nuts for 2 to 3 hours to activate them. This helps for better digestion of these important nutrients and ignite potent nutrients (much like sprouting)

2. Place activated nuts into a strainer, shaking out the water for a few minutes then place all the nuts in a blender or food processor and grind.

3. Take out the nuts and place in a bowl and add the Cacoa and mix.

4. Blend the dates for a minute or two to turn to mush (add about 4 tablespoons of water).

5. Combine the dates to the nut mix. Stir all in together.

6. Roll into balls about and refrigerate.

7. Roll them in dedicated coconut, or sesame seeds. Add a few peptios (pumpkin seeds) or sunflower seeds if desired.

Benefits

Almonds – Chokers full of brain nutrients like omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids helps to increase intellectual levels, and is a good source of magnesium which helps to strengthen brain nerves.

Brazil Nuts – Are very high in selenium and a good all round brain food. A study found that consuming one Brazil Nut a day may help safely treat selenium deficiency, reduce oxidative stress and benefit brain health. Rita Cardoso B, Apolinário D, da Silva Bandeira V, et al. Effects of Brazil nut consumption on selenium status and cognitive performance in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled pilot trial. Eur J Nutr. 2016 Feb;55(1):107-16.

Walnuts – looks like the brain. High in omega 3, iron, magnesium, potassium – all essential for brain health.

Dates – contain high levels of potassium, B6, and magnesium – all calming properties

Cacoa – High in magnesium and good source of iron – a ‘feel good’ food

Optional Extras

Cover in dedicated coconut, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.