Oh yum!  I am so in love with this recipe.  With my date ball kick I’ve been going on lately, I’ve been trying out a few different flavor ideas.  This is definitely a show stopper, and I think I have it perfected!  When chilled, these balls are smooth and creamy and taste a whole lot like truffles.  I also just adore the combination of spicy and chocolate.  There are two really good things going on there.  Here’s the recipe:

1 cup raw cashews

1 cup shredded coconut

2 cups pitted dates

3-4 chili peppers

2 tbsp coconut oil

2 tbsp chia seeds

2 tbsp water

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp vanilla

pinch of salt

Add the water to the chia seeds, stir and set aside.  Process the cashews and coconut until they are a coarse grainy meal.  Set aside.  Process dates, peppers, oil, chia seeds and water, vanilla and salt.  Add cocoa powder and cashew mixture and process until smooth.  Roll the balls in shredded coconut mixed with a tiny bit of cocoa powder and chill until they firm up.

Don’t these just look scrumptious?  It’s hard to go wrong with such healthy ingredients, too.  I can’t wait to take these up on the mountains for a hike.

If you saw my post from yesterday, you may have noticed that my lettuce is looking quite ready to eat.  Well, I’m pleased to announce that I have made my first harvest out of my little backyard garden!  Isn’t my baby lettuce beatiful?

My mom brought me a delicious quinoa cucumber salad that she made, so I put some of that on top with a bit of olive oil and balsamic drizzled on top.  So incredibly tasty!

I have to say it feels very good to be eating food that I grew myself.  Now I’m having fantasies of being a small scale urban hobby farmer.  I would love to grow year round greens and veggies for markets, restaurants and co-ops.  Wouldn’t that be cool?  Well, it might not be too far out of reality.    Happy a great Wednesday, everyone!