"Coconut Macaroon" Energy Balls

Oh man these are good!!  Here's a warning: if you have problems with self-control, it is not advised that you use this recipe!  This is my healthy version of a coconut macaroon, designed because I'm pregnant and I was craving one...however...with pregnancy, you gain weight for just looking at something like that, so I decided to come up with a healthy alternative!

1 T. coconut oil
1/2 c. agave nectar

Put in a pan and bring to a boil.  Boil for a minute or 2, but be careful not to burn!  Set aside to cool somewhat.

1/4 c. walnuts
1/4 c. sunflower seeds
1/4 c. rye flakes (looks like oatmeal, but made from rye)
1/2 c. raw, shredded coconut, unsweetened

Use a little food processor or a spice grinder (coffee grinder) to grind these ingredients into a "powder".  (It won't be completely smooth like flour, but it will no longer resemble whole bits of food either.)

Place in a bowl along with:

1/4 c. raw, shredded coconut
4 T. cocoa powder
4 T. ground flax seeds
2 T. whole wheat flour

Mix together with the "sauce" you boiled above, and mix into a stiff dough. 

Add:

2 T. vegan chocolate chips (I use the "Enjoy Life" brand, because they're amazing and tiny...perfect for this)

Mix and let rest for a minute or so, while you grab some aluminum foil to put them on.

Take a teaspoon of the dough and roll into a ball, and repeat with the remaining amount of dough.

I got 15 teaspoon-sized balls. 

If you don't want to wait until the balls set up at room temp, put them in the fridge...and if you're REALLY impatient (like I was), put them in the freezer for a few minutes!!

I also flattened some of them into "cookies" and baked them at 350 for 7 minutes.  Once cooled, they were great little cookies!

Note:  Agave doesn't spike your blood glucose levels like most other sweeteners, and I've paired them with the protein of nuts to stabilize it even more, as well as keep you fuller longer!  Rye is known to give energy, and the benefits of coconut are becoming extremely popular as well!  Chocolate is a known mood enhancer...and the combination of all these ingredients is something you can "trick" your kids into eating as something healthy, veiled as a dessert or treat!