Chocolate Jewelled Bliss Balls

Bliss balls are a brilliant invention.  A quick  gluten-free, Paleo,  healthy, delicious and easy to make snack that is also very portable.  They are a god send, no baking no brainer.

These bliss balls are a yummy combination of dark 70% coco chocolate, jewels (pomegranate seeds), brazil nuts, cashew nuts, peanut butter, almond butter, honey and chia seeds…. what a divine list of ingredients.

Every now and again I like to have a little snack to pick me up when I crash a little mid afternoon.  But sometimes finding something when your out and about that will sustain me that isn’t full of unpronounceable ingredients, processed sugar and lets face it crap is difficult. This is when these little balls are perfect.  .

This week is Celiac awareness Week in the UK, and May is Celiac Awareness Month globally, both  fantastic initiatives to raise awareness about Celiac disease and non gut related celiac disease, gluten sensitivity.

I will never know if I am Celiac, I’m not prepared to take the risk of re-introducing gluten in to my diet even for a month or so.  I do however know that I had quite a few symptoms (all be it mildly) and without going all TMI on you I had some mild gut issues and had a sigmoidoscopy a few years ago, but never got to the bottom of it…no pun intended 🙂 until I went gluten-free.

My neurologist didn’t run any celiac blood screening, although I was re-assured at the time they were looking at everything.  I have since written to her and asked she consider such tests for future patients as the connection with neurological illness and celiac disease and gluten sensitivity is well documented.

I am happy not to have a final diagnosis, either way and I am pretty ecstatic to live without gluten and not eat certain foods anymore.  I don’t feel I miss out on anything.

My life is so enriched since changing my diet I feel so much more alive. I no longer struggle with fatigue, tremors, cramps, and rashes that have dominated my life until now.  Not having that chocolate bar, bread or choux pastry is a small price to pay.

I don’t think of it as a price, although I do sometimes grieve (a little!!) for choux pastry,  I can’t think of one food I can’t eat that would actually nutritionally benefit me if I did.  In fact most of what I don’t eat is man made processed and likely to be saving me from digesting additional ingredients that would also be detrimental to my health.  So for me its WIN WIN.  And of course there are always gluten-free alternatives to pretty much every gluten containing food stuff you can find available in most grocery stores or on-line.

I appreciate I am lucky, for some people not eating gluten is not an easy decision its an immediate necessity as consumption of even crumb of gluten can result in sever pain and sickness.

Weather you enjoy a gluten-free or paleo diet or not these Chocolate Jewelled Bliss Balls are a great healthy alternative to a regular chocolate biscuit bar, full of healthy fat and sweetness, see the Good Stuff below for more info.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

The only surviving balls that weren’t instantly demolished!!

Chocolate Jewelled Bliss Balls 

Makes approx. 12 bliss balls.

Ingredients

• 1 x cup, 100g, of jewels, aka fresh pomegranate seeds
• 45g,1.580z, of plain dark, 70% or more cocoa chocolate, gluten-free and ideally organic
• 1/2 cup, 68g, of Brazil nuts
• 1/4 cup, 34g, of cashew nuts
• 1 x tablespoon of organic, gluten-free peanut butter with no added sugar
• 1 x tablespoon of organic runny honey can be subbed with organic maple syrup
• 1/2 x tablespoon of almond butter
• Optional additions:
• 1 x tablespoon of organic Chia seeds
• 1 x pinch of Maldon or alternative sea salt

To Construct 

1. Blitz the nuts and chocolate in a food processor or if you don’t have a food processor bash with a rolling pin a bowl or plastic bag.
2. In a large bowl with a spatula mix the nuts and chocolate with the butters, honey (or maple syrup), seeds and salt (if using) .
3. Roll into small balls, approx. 5cm in height. Cover and place in a fridge for 25 mins and Enjoy!

Note: These balls will keep for up to 3 days and should be stored in a fridge.

The Good Stuff 

Pomegranate Seeds

Full of B vitamins, potassium, folic acid and a great source of Iron. They are also a great source of polyphenol compounds and antioxidants. They are known to provide protection against viral infection, protect the heart and joints and reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Brazil Nuts

High in vitamins and antioxidants (nuts are one of highest food sources of antioxidants that help fight inflammation) including:  vitamin E and B complex vitamins, they also contain magnesium, manganese, calcium, zinc, iron, super oxide dismutase. They are also a great source of mono-unsaturated fatty acids that help prevent heart disease and selenium that also helps prevent liver disease and cancer.

Cashew Nuts

Again a great source of inflammation busting antioxidants, vitamins an nutrients including vitamins E, K and B complex, omega3, iron, zinc, folate calcium, magnesium, helping to prevent heart disease, cancer and healthy bones, skin and body tissues.

DARK CHOCOLATE WITH 70% OR MORE COCOA

Is one of the best antioxidant ingredients on the planet woohoo! It also contains soluble fibre, manganese, magnesium, potassium, selenium, and zinc. It is known to help lower blood pressure and can also reduce insulin resistance but due to its sugar content should only be eaten in moderation.

Chia Seeds

High in omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, calcium, iron, folate and soluble fibre. Chia seeds help promote a healthy heart, strong bones and teeth and a healthy gut.

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