Today I'm sharing these crunchy chocolatey rolly-bally's (I heard this from a kid last week) with you, my dear readers. Bliss balls or raw truffles are the quickest, easiest, yummiest, healthiest snack or dessert for those who can't or don't want to spend hours in the kitchen. Be warned though, you will not be able to stop at just one. Or two.
Interestingly, I've recently found out from a blood test that my B12 and iron levels have dropped below the normal range. These are generally quite low for me and I've worked hard to include both B12 and iron in my diet both from plant-based sources and from supplements. Regardless, these levels are currently the lowest they've ever been in my body, which explains my "relapse" this year from my long recovery from ME/CFS or
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Basically, fatigue on top of fatigue!
The most interesting thing about it all though is the cravings I've been having for iron-rich sources of plant-based foods including cacao, prunes and tahini - all three of which are in my raw chocolate cake truffles below!
Our bodies know what we need and communicate to us through our cravings; if we are willing to listen then we can facilitate healing in our bodies.
The richest plant-based sources of iron include:
- pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- sesame seeds (or tahini)
- wheat germ
- soya beans
- mung beans
- lima beans
- pistachio nuts
- lentils
- broad beans
- sunflower seeds
- chickpeas
- haricot beans
- millet
- parsley
- peaches
- pinenuts
- linseeds
- almonds
- rolled oats
- prunes
It's particularly important for women to make sure there is an abundance of these foods in the diet (if you don't have any allergies). Otherwise you can't go wrong with dark green leafy vegetables and green smoothies!
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raw chocolate cake truffles
1 cup almond meal
1/2 cup prunes, pitted
1/4 cup raw cacao powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
handful of goji berries
1 Tbsp black tahini
1 Tbsp pure maple syrup
handful of raw cacao nibs
desiccated coconut, to roll
hemp seeds, to roll
Combine the almond meal, prunes (dried plums), raw cacao powder, ground cinnamon and goji berries in a food processor (or in small batches in a high powered blender) until the mixture sticks together. Scoop out the mixture into a medium bowl and add the black tahini, maple syrup and cacao nibs. Mix together well with clean hands. Roll the mixture into bite-sized balls and if desired, roll in either the desiccated coconut or the hemp seeds. Store the truffles in a covered container in the fridge or the freezer. Devour! Makes approximately 12 truffles.
Quote for the Road…
Beets are a plant-based source of iron which means this fresh juice is great if you suffer from anaemia and fatigue. Beets are also high in the antioxidant betacyanin. Antioxidants help to protect the body from cancer, heart disease and stroke by preventing free radical damage (cells damaged by oxidation).
