Kitchen Adventures || Happy Halloween {Treats}!

 

What do you call a pumpkin that has had too many Halloween treats??? 

(read the post to find the punch line…)

Happy Halloween! Today is the date that it’s acceptable to eat massive amounts of candy that’s been given to you by strangers! Don’t get me wrong, I love Halloween! I think growing up as a dancer elevated my love for costumes and dressing up. I still have a huge tub full of costumes… I think there is something really fun about getting to be someone or something else for a day and just live it up! In fact, a gal I knew when I lived in Kansas has the pleasure of doing it on a daily basis! If you want to be seriously amazed, check out her instagram.

Anyhoo… this post is about food, not expressing our other “selves” 😉 so let’s talk about sweets! Treats come in all forms! Halloween is a day for candy, cookies, baked goods, sweets of all kinds… I believe that there is nothing wrong with indulging from time to time, but I also believe that if you’re going to indulge it should be fully worth it. If you are trying to stay on track with your eating, days like today can be difficult, but I have a few recipes for some healthier alternatives to help satisfy that sweet tooth without binging on that overpriced store bought candy.

I have one recipe that I did and then I’m linking a few other choices so you have some variety. Check it out!

 

So this first one is the one I made. I love chocolate and peanut butter… who doesn’t? But, especially on the Whole Life Challenge, most of the good stuff that contains that combo is non-compliant. I actually made this recipe as a little energy bite that we could pop before or after a workout to give us a little boost, but it tasted so good that I have to share it as a treat.

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Coconut Energy Balls

INGREDIENTS

2 cups medjool dates pitted (roughly 20 dates)
1 TBSP Coconut Oil
3 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder
2 TBSP Peanut (or Almond) butter
3 TBSP Chia Seeds
1 1/2 cup rolled oats divided
3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large bowl, cover the dates with 2 cups of boiling water and allow to sit for 10 minutes. This softens them and allows for a smoother mixture
Drain and pat them dry and add them to in a food processor with a steel blade.  Add 2 tablespoons of the water, your coconut oil, cocoa powder, chia seeds, peanut butter, and 1 cup of rolled oats.

Blend until smooth, scraping down sides. If you are having trouble with consistency, add a little bit of water (1 TBSP at a time) until the mixture blends smoothly. Then, add the remaining ½ cup of rolled oats and about 1/2 a cup of shredded coconut and pulse until it’s mixed in. You want to leave these roughly chopped for texture, but you do want them well mixed in.

Taste your mixture and make adjustments to the flavor if you want to.

Put the food processor in the fridge for at least 10 minutes before rolling into 1 tablespoon sized balls.

Coat your hands in coconut oil to prevent the mixture from sticking to you. Roll into 1 tablespoon sized balls, and toss to coat in remaining ¼ cup of shredded coconut. I actually added a few more oats in for the coating as well.

Let them chill in the refrigerator for another 10 minutes before enjoying. Keep them (if you have any left over) stored in the refrigerator.

If these don’t spark your interest, here is a list of recipes that look pretty dang enticing as well! I’m sticking with my energy balls for now because they are Whole Life Challenge compliant, but as far as cleaner alternatives go, these are some great options.

Ba dum tss!

And remember…. if you allow yourself to indulge in treats (store bought OR home made!) … do it in moderation 🙂 Don’t let yourself turn into a PLUMPKIN!