Healthy pre-made treats on hand are essential for keeping my grazing in check.  Either in-between meals or for when I don’t have time to  prepare much and need some instant fuel in my belly.

Energy balls are a go to staple in my fridge on pretty much a weekly basis.  My traditional recipe is nut based with cacao nibs or mini chocolate chips and peanut butter as the main flavors.  I wanted to create a new recipe that provided that same instant gratification but that tasted like less of a dessert. I wanted a nutrient dense snack with a little more earthiness!  Plus nuts are not for everyone.   If you have any nut allergies,  you need to know that there are so many great seed butters out there that are perfect alternatives.

Here comes tahini, the secret ingredient in my new nut free energy ball recipe.  Tahini is ground sesame seeds.  Sesame seeds take on a smooth, rich and buttery texture with a much earthier flavor than traditional peanuts.   Tahini is considered a superfood due to it’s high nutritional value.

Why You Should Eat Tahini:

• It’s a great source of healthy fats and omega 3’s that lower cholesterol and fight inflammation.

• It’s a vegan source of protein, B vitamins, iron and vitamin E which gives us energy.

• It’s also full of copper and zinc, which are essential minerals.

• It’s packed with selenium with a powerful antioxidant that helps repair our cells.

• It’s a great non-dairy source of calcium for vegans or lactose intolerant people.