IMMUNE BOOSTING ENERGY BALLS

Wanted to share with you all one of

my all time favorite snack for our entire family. Not only are they super easy to make they taste amazing!

Best part is they do not need to be refrigerated so I keep a bag of them in my purse at all times. We take them on hiking trips since they are so easy to pack.

When my husband travels for work he packs some in his suitcase.

My daughter can't get enough of them....she ate 4 balls before I could even have a chance to take pictures for the blog.

RECIPE:

15 pitted organic dates

2 Tbsp organic raw pumpkin seeds

1 Tbsp local bee pollen

3 Tbsp organic goji berries

2 Tbsp organic mulberries

Shredded coconut

Place all ingredients into food processor. Process for approx 30 seconds, you want the mix to start forming into a ball on its own.

Roll into balls and place on a parchment paper.

Poor out some shredded coconut on cutting board or parchment paper and roll each ball.

DATES: Dates are a great source of dietary fiber (1/4 cup provides 12% of the daily value for fiber). Dates are also one of the best natural sources of potassium and provide 8% of your daily potassium recommendation and 6% of your daily manganese recommendation in a ¼ cup. Eating dates will enrich your body with minerals like phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron. Date also is a rich source of a variety of B-complex vitamins – thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6 and pantothenic acid as well as folic acid, vitamins A and K.

PUMPKIN SEEDS: Pumpkin seeds are a good source of healthful oils, magnesium, and other nutrients that enhance the health of the heart, bones, and other functions. The fatty acids in pumpkin seeds contain a range of beneficial nutrients, such as sterols, squalene, and tocopherols.

The fiber in pumpkin seeds helps lower the total amount of cholesterol in the blood and decrease the risk of heart disease.

BEE POLLEN: One study found that bee pollen has anti-inflammatory properties comparable to over-the-counter meds. Additional studies have shown that bee pollen may help soothe burn wounds, relieve menopause symptoms, and even decrease multiple sclerosis symptoms in patients. More research needs to be done, but clinical improvement was seen in 100% of multiple sclerosis patients, and almost 73 percent of disabled patients were able to return to work.

“A single teaspoon [of bee pollen] contains over 2.5 billion nutrient-packed flower pollen granules,” Susan Curtis, natural health director at Neal’s Yard Remedies, told the Huffington Post. "Bee Pollen is the richest source of vitamins in a single food," explains Curtis. "A nutrient powerhouse of eighteen vitamins including a B complex, all essential amino acids, fatty acids, RNA/DNA nucleic acids, enzymes, and is at least 25% protein.”

GOJI BERRIES: As a surprisingly high-protein snack, dried goji berry benefits also offer a good dose of fiber, over 20 different vitamins and minerals, and, of course, a wealth of antioxidants.

Like most other superfoods, goji berries are an excellent source of antioxidants that help boost the immune system and protect the body from high levels of oxidative stress and inflammation, since they fight free radical damage.

Goji berries are similar to other berries — like blueberries and raspberries — in that they supply high levels of antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin A. These are two nutrients key to building immunity and preventing common illnesses like a cold, plus more serious chronic diseases like cancer or neurodegenerative decline.

MULBERRIES: The health benefits of mulberries include their ability to improve digestion, lower cholesterol, aid in weight loss, increase circulation, build bone tissues, and boost the immune system. It also helps slow down the aging process, lower blood pressure, protect eyes and improve the overall metabolism of the body. Mulberries may also have anti-cancer benefits.

The high levels of iron content in mulberries can significantly boost the production of red blood cells. This means that the body will increase its distribution of oxygen to important tissues and organs, thereby helping to boost metabolism and optimize the functionality of those systems.

COCONUT: A single serving of coconut meat provides 34% of the daily value for manganese, a mineral that helps your body maintain a healthy brain, nervous system, and immune function.

Research published in the July 2018 issue of the Journal of Food Science suggests that the fatty acids in coconut contain powerful antioxidants that help boost immune function and reduce systemic inflammation in the body. Study authors note that these antioxidants may help protect the body from infections.