Mother's Day Sweet Treats

I made these scrumptious truffles, a melange of dates, nuts and cacao for one of my educational workshops. They were a HIT! They are packed with flavour and nutrition.

Raw Vegan - Raw Cacao Hemp Truffles

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup almonds or walnuts
• 1/2 cup gluten free oats
• 1/4 cup hemp hearts
• 2 tsp. chia seeds
• 1/3 cup raw cacao powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• optional unsweetened unsulphured coconut flakes
• 6 - 8 Medjool dates, pitted

Instructions:

1. Soak dates in warm water for 15 minutes to soften (optional step)

2. While dates are soaking, place nuts, oats, hemp hearts, chia seeds, raw 

cacao, and sea salt in a food processor. Blend until finely ground. Lastly, add a sprinkle of coconut flakes (optional) and blend well.

3. Add dates one at a time and process.

4. Mixture will resemble a crumbly texture. If mixture does not stick together    add a few drops of water.

5. Gently roll into bite size balls. Approximately one tablespoon.

6. Store in a sealed container in the fridge.

Facts About Raw Cacao:

• Cacao contains flavonoids, a of chemical found in naturally in plants. These phytochemicals are known to fight  a wide array of diseases.
• Cacao can increase the levels of serotonin your brain produces
• Cacao is packed with vitamins and antioxidants
• One of the main health benefits of cacao is high concentration of antioxidants.

Facts About Hemp Hearts:

• Contain the optimum ration of the polyunsaturated Omega 3 & 6
• One of nature's perfect super food
• Provides a broad spectrum of health benefits: increases  & sustains energy, reduces inflammation, improves circulation, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, reduces effects of chronic digestive problems.

Facts About Dates:

• Dates are high in iron
• Rich source of vitamins and minerals
• A rich source of protein, dietary fiber and rich in B1, B2, B3 & B5 along with vitamin A & C.
• Improves digestive system as they as it contains soluble and insoluble fibers.

Facts About Almonds:

• Almonds have long been revered as the epitome of health and wellness
• Rich in dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals
• Packed with numerous health promoting phyto-chemicals
• A complete source of energy
• Excellent source of vitamin E
• Packed with important B-complex