Energy Balls Two Recipes: Vanilla Coconut and Coconut Cacao

You all can probably tell by now from my recipes that I'm pretty obsessed with Collagen! In addition to drinking bone broth daily,  I find ways to  add collagen to my diet such as adding some to my morning matcha green tea latte, coffee, and smoothies. This recipe below is quick to put together and an easy on-the-go snack. I try to keep some sucked in my freezer at all times!

My personal favorite brand of collagen is Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides because the company sources from grass fed cattle and it is tasteless and can be mixed in both hot and cold liquids.  I try to get in 2-3 scoops each day.  Ipersonally would even put it into the category of superfoods because of all the potential health benefits that come from it including. Here are 5 reasons why you should be consuming collagen:

1. Collagen is largely present in our ligaments, joints and tendons.  A whopping 90% of our bone mass is made up of collagen. Adding collagen to your diet supports the function and health of your your musculoskeletal system. 
2. Consumption of collagen can help you maintain that youthful look and glow! 70 % of our skin is made up of collagen. Collagen contributes to skin elasticity as well as regeneration of skin, hair, and nails. Consumption of collagen has been attributed to thicker hair and nails. Once we hit the age of 40 our natural production of collagen in our bodies begins to decrease which is even more reason to supplement with collagen. 
3. Improves Gut Health: Collagen helps repair our gut lining of our intestines. Collagen also aides in digestion by increasing our stomachs' ability to produce hydrochloric acid.
4. Glycine which is a non essential amino acid present in collagen has been shown in studies to improve sleep quality. In normal non-stressful environments our bodies should be able to make enough glycine. However, in todays fast paced world most people face stressful situations every day both physical (lack of sleep, over exercise, poor eating), and emotional (marriage, children, work, death in the family). Because of all the stress we face our gut function in most of us is not optimal which means the majority of us are not producing enough glycine. 
5.  Workout Recovery: Collagen is highly digestible making it a great addition to a post workout shake or meal. It can help build lean muscle mass, increase performance, and maintain a healthy body weight

Since I am always finding ways to also get collagen into my kids diet I came up with this energy ball recipe which is full of healthy fats from the coconut which means these are filling and will provide lasting energy and I added in some collagen peptides for some protein.  I have 2 recipes here for you to try. 

Vanilla Coconut (AIP Friendly)

Ingredients:

•   3 cups Coconut Flakes
•    1/2 cup Coconut Oil  
•  6 Medjool Dates pits removed
•  2 scoops Collagen Peptides
•   1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
•   3/4 tsp sea Salt

Directions:

1. In a food processor add in all the ingredients except for your coconut oil and collagen. Pulse until the dates and coconut are shredded into tiny pieces. 
2. Add this mixture to a large mixing bowl and add in your coconut oil along with your collagen. Mix well.
3. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and begin rolling your mixture into balls. Place each ball onto your lined cookie sheet. You mixture will be very oily at this point and may be hard to form at the end. You can always stick in your fridge for 5 minute to harden the mixture slightly to make it more manageable. 
4. When all of your balls are made stick your cookie sheet in your freezer until they are completely solid  and not mushy anymore. Enjoy!!! 

Coconut Cocao:

Ingredients:

•   3 cups Coconut Flakes
•    1/2 cup Coconut Oil
• 1/3 cup Raw Cacao Nibs
•  6 Medjool Dates pits removed
•  2 scoops Collagen Peptides
• 1 TBSP Bee Pollen (I like to use local which can help with allergies but this is a great brand if you can't find local) 
• 2 tsp Cinnamon 
•   1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
•   3/4 tsp Sea Salt

** These will taste just fine without the bee pollen. I just like to add this for one added nutrition and local bee pollen can help with allergies. if you are allergic to bee stings than DO NOT eat bee pollen!!**

Directions:

1. Add your coconut and dates to a food processor and pulse until dates and flakes are completely mooted together and very tiny pieces. Now add your raw cocoa nibs to the food processor after you have processed the coconut flakes and date.
2. Pulse several times until the cocao nibs have been broken into tiny pieces and are mixed with the rest of the mixture. 
3. Again add this mixture into a large mixing bowl and add in the remaining ingredients like before but for this recipe you will also add some bee pollen and cinnamon. 
4. Line a cookie sheet with bleach free parchment paper and roll mixture into approximately 1 inch sized balls. Then put these in your freezer or fridge to cool and solidify.
5. Store in freezer. When ready to eat you can take the amount out and let sit at room temperature for 5-10 min to soften.