no-bake chai spiced 10-minute fat balls {nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, egg-free}

no-bake chai spiced 10-minute fat balls {nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, egg-free}

Fat balls, fat bombs, whatever you call them, they really are becoming all the rage.

I can see why when you can whip up this no-bake chai spiced, 10-minute fat ball recipes in literally 10 minutes.

The simple idea is to eat less sugar, less simple carbohydrates and up the fat and protein. There are a lot of benefits to this including better insulin sensitivity which means more energy, better metabolism, and less fat storage.

But also, a reduction in cravings!

This recipe brings a big game to all of this! It’s full of flavor with a cookie-like texture and the best part, it is loaded with nutrition.

I have to be honest, I thought this was just going to be my treat but it turns out the entire family is asking for them. I still haven’t wrapped my mind around sharing. Although I’m not sure why because you really couldn’t find an easier recipe to make.

• one bowl
• no bake
• mix and serve

It’s as simple as that. But take note, the game changer is all the fat and protein.

Speaking of the protein…

the protein

Unlike most fat balls {or bombs}, the protein tends to get overlooked. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, however, there is some real value to having a complete trifecta of goodness at once. What I mean by that is a little carbohydrate, some protein and a lot of fat to help digest and absorb it all into the body.

If you’ve been following my recipes then you know I have an obsession with collagen powder.

Which is needed more than just stopping cravings but in helping to support the immune system, build necessary hormones and enzymes and so much more!

In fact, collagen is the most abundant protein in our body. While there are different types of collagen, type 1 is the most abundant. Collagen is found in muscles, bones, skin, blood vessels, our digestive system, and tendons. It is also what helps keep our skin strong and elastic.

This is why some consider it the nutrient that is the fountain of youth.

the benefits of collagen

The list of benefits collagen provides in the body seems to be growing every day. These include

1. Help reduce wrinkles and improve skin conditions.
2. Supports the re-growth of joint tissue and help relieve joint pain.
3. Helps prevent bone loss.
4. Help reduce cellulite and prevent stretch marks.
5. Help you lose weight.
6. Repair your GI tract and regulate a healthy microbiome.
7. Enhance healthy hair growth.
8. Helps support healthy teeth and gums.
9. Balance your hormones.
10. Protects cardiovascular health.
11. Alleviate anxiety.
12. Improve liver health.

From this list, you can see the magnitude of what collagen does in the body. I’ll repeat, it is an essential nutrient and one almost all of us struggle to get on a daily basis without supplementation or {for lack of better words} trying. Collagen also helps to keep our necessary amino acids in balance.

the fat

We can’t forget to talk about the fat in fat balls because that really is the star, although the collagen is a close front-runner. But the fat, while it once got a bad wrap, actually has more functions in the body than the other two macronutrients combined. Of course, we’re talking about good fats like:

• Avocado
• Nuts/Seeds
• Olives
• Olive Oil
• Ground Flaxmeal
• Chia Seeds
• Coconut
• Coconut oil

Some of these functions as it relates to our health include:

• Immune health
• Joint health
• Hormone production
• Cell structure
• Enzyme production
• Nutrient absorption
• Lubrication
• Brain health

And the list continues and continues. We need fat and more of the good kind that we need to live a healthy life. Not to mention, you crave what you burn and the most adapted and well-functioning bodies burn fat for fuel, not sugar.

So to two big takeaways are to eat more fat and a healthy protein. Today we deliver on that with this recipe.

the ingredients

The line-up of ingredients really builds an A-team. Not to mention, this recipe is nut-free, dairy-free, wheat-free and egg-free to help beat all those inflammatory causing foods and common allergens.

Insert fist-bump.

The base is coconut flakes and gluten-free oats {but you could most definitely sub nuts for the oats if you’re paleo}. With that, you mix chia seeds, coconut oil, coconut butter, vanilla, milk alternative, and some spices with a potential dash of maple syrup and/or honey if you want.

Oh and don’t forget that protein punch with the added collagen!

It really does come together nicely.

Speaking of ingredients, I suggest that these ingredients become pantry staples because they really are multi-purpose and delicious. You can add the coconut butter in your matcha, mix the dry ingredients in muesli and just cook with the coconut oil.

Plus, that collagen can be added to most anything.

where to get the collagen

The brand I recommend, through many different trials, is Vital Protein. They are a company on a mission to provide the best sourced and highest-nutritional profile collagen on the market. I’ve tried and used a number of their products and honestly wouldn’t recommend another collagen supplement source.

I can assure you will notice a difference in your health, energy levels {<-YES PLEASE} and overall mood. They don’t call themselves Vital Proteins for nothing! These literally are vital to the health of our body and to our natural {and critical} detoxification pathways.

I use this daily in my beverages and started using their Beauty Waters, but they also have a marine collagen, veggie blend and powdered bone broth to make this all easy and convenient.

This is a keeper! I can assure you of that!

how to eat them

You can just pop them out of the freezer and grab and go for a quick addition to any meal. But I prefer to mix them in coconut milk yogurt {mixed with some additional collagen}, topped with fruit and some extra chia seeds for crunch. It is SO good!

You can even prep them ahead of time for a quick grab and go option using a mason jar. Fruit on the bottom, followed by the yogurt and topped with a fat ball.

I’m salivating thinking about it!

But how would you eat it?

Fat Balls

 

PREP TIME

10 MINS

TOTAL TIME

10 MINS

 

Author: Alexa Schirm

Serves: 12-20

INGREDIENTS

• 1½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 cup gluten-free oats
• ½ cup flax meal
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 2 scoops Vital Proteins collagen powder
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon cardamon
• ¼ teaspoon cloves
• 1 teaspoons sea salt
• ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
• ¾ cup coconut butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons milk alternative
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup {optional}

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place all ingredients in a food processor. Blend until a thick dough-like texture forms.
2. Use a cookie scooper or roll into balls the size of golf balls.
3. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Freezer for 1-2 hours, remove and place in airtight container and freeze until use.
5. Remove 5-10 minutes before eating or warm slightly

source:https://simplerootswellness.com/fat-balls/