16 Aug Creative Food: Afternoon Snacks & Meeting Breaks

Posted at 08:30h in Creative Food by

With the summer winding down, it is time to gear up for fall – and this means back to the routine of school, work and meetings. Take this opportunity to upgrade your afternoon snacks with some dreamy break bites. Perfect for curbing cravings between meals they give you a guaranteed burst of energy to get through the rest of your day (and go great with your afternoon cup of coffee!). Plus! They also make a great addition to a box lunch: think of these Vanilla Shortbread Balls as the perfect complement to your favorite sandwich.

Here are the recipes for two our favorite bites because breaks are just as important at home as they are at work.

 

Almost­ Raw Carrot Cake Bliss Balls

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup raw hulled sunflower seeds
  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut + 1⁄3 cup for rolling
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 12 soft Medjool dates, pitted and soaked if they’re very dry
  • 2⁄3 cup chopped carrots
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup, more to taste

 

Instructions

In a food processor, combine the sunflower seeds, 1 cup shredded coconut, cinnamon and salt and pulse until it becomes a fine meal. Add the dates and carrots and pulse until the mixture combines and sticks together. Taste and add more maple syrup if you would like your bites sweeter. If the mixture is too dry, add more maple syrup; if it’s too moist, add more coconut and/or let the mix chill in the fridge for 20 minutes to firm up. Use a tablespoon to scoop the mixture, then use your hands to roll it into approximately 1­inch balls. Roll in the remaining coconut to coat the outside, if desired. Store in the fridge in an air­tight container for up to 5 days.

 

Vanilla Shortbread Energy Balls

 

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups almond flour
  • 8 pitted dates
  • 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder (I used the vanilla collagen peptides from Vital Proteins)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 tablespoons of water

 

Coating

  • 1/4 cup almond flour
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla protein powder

 

Instructions

Combine all ingredients (except for coating ingredients) in a food processor and blend on high until it forms into a ball and is smooth throughout. In a small bowl combine 1/4 cup almond flour & 2 tablespoons vanilla protein powder. Scoop dough into balls about 2 tablespoons big (or however large or small you like them). Roll them in the coating mixture and shake off excess. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet or plate and place in the refrigerator or freezer to harden. Enjoy!

 

 

Ready for a more delicious menu for your Nashville meetings? Contact the Dream Team to get started, [email protected].

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