Last year taught us a lesson or two in the art of letting go and awakening the light within us during some very dark times. It’s no wonder your energetic bandwidth might be feeling a little low.
If you need a snack to gently reignite your inner ember and find more zen, these balls will deliver. With coconut, cashews and moringa leaf, we’re talking about a ‘matcha’ made in heaven.
Originating from Japan, matcha green tea is very rich in antioxidants, L-theanine and the polyphenol EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which has been shown to protect our cells and offset the inflammatory response.
When choosing your matcha, opt for a certified organic and ceremonial grade when you can. You can also find summer harvest and culinary grade matcha on the market, which means the tea leaves have aged a bit longer (with more bitterness in taste and less “bright” green).
Often referred to as the “miracle tree,” the moringa plant has been used for centuries in medicinal tonics. Moringa also contains all of the essential amino acids, rendering it a complete plant protein!
Both matcha and moringa coalesce in this recipe to create a nutrient-dense emerald green treat.
The colour green is also associated with the heart chakra. In Sanskrit, the Anahata chakra influences our capacity to share and receive love (with others and ourselves).
Whether shared or enjoyed solo, these zen balls are full of love 💚
Ingredients
For the zen balls
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup raw cashews
- ½ cup coconut flour
- ¼ cup coconut butter, melted
- 4-5 Medjool pitted dates (soak in warm water for 10 mins)
- 1 tsp Matcha powder
- 1 tsp Moringa powder
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- Optional: vanilla plant protein, hemp hearts, maple syrup
For the coconut icing
- ¼ cup coconut butter, melted
- 1-2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2-3 Tbsp non-dairy milk of choice (coconut and cashew work well here)
Method
- Add all ingredients into a food processor or high-speed blender, and pulse until well combined and texture resembles a sticky dough.
- Roll your mixture into balls and place them in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.
- To make your coconut icing, melt coconut butter until soft, then add maple syrup. Stirring vigorously, slowly add 1 Tbsp of non-dairy milk (keep adding until desired texture is achieved).
- Drizzle your icing over the zen balls, or dip each ball individually. Be creative!
- Enjoy right away, or pop into the fridge for snacking throughout the week.
