Food Can Balance Your Energy: The Joy of Sweets!

“Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food.”This famous quote is often attributed to Hippocrates, although there’s no actual proof he ever said it. But whoever did say it was brilliant! Everything we put in our bodies affects us, so not only can we nurture ourselves with food, we can heal and balance ourselves with it, too.This week, as we sit just five days away from the Summer Solstice, we are going to honor the energy of balance and transitions that sits with the Earth element. Earth holds the balance for us during the equinox times, and supports transitions as we move from the longest day of the year to the shortest day and back again. Always ready to nurture and support, Earth responds to the taste of sweetness. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to help balance your Earth energy with a wonderful batch of no-bake Gingerbread Energy Bites courtesy of Bakerits.com. Kind of like little balls of gingerbread! Gluten-free, vegan, and Paleo. Bon Appetit!

Gingerbread Energy Bites

Ingredients 

• 1 cup pitted dates (about 12)
• 1 cup toasted pecans
• 1 tablespoon of molasses
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 oz. dark chocolate, to drizzle (optional)

Directions Step 1: Roughly chop the pitted dates and add them to a high-powered blender or food processor (a Vitamix works well). Blend until they are broken down into small bits (or even a paste).Step 2: Add the toasted pecans, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, then pulse until combined. The pecans should be in small bits. Be careful not to over-process or the oils will start to separate. If this happens, just dab off the excess oil with a paper towel.Step 3: Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a cookie sheet.Step 4: Finely chop the dark chocolate and melt in the microwave. Place the melted chocolate into a zip bag or piping bag, snip the corner, and drizzle over the energy balls. Let chocolate harden in the refrigerator.Step 5: Keep these Energy Bites stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator or the freezer.Super easy and really yummy, this recipe from bakerita.com features the sweet taste of dates that helps balance Earth energy along with spicy flavors like cinnamon and ginger that can have a warming effect on the stomach and spleen (Earth element’s main organs). But be careful not to eat too much sugary food in high heat conditions as it can tax these organs.Enjoy!Vicki