Looking for a way to increase your magnesium levels? This recipe is my answer – they are designed to be a rich source of magnesium, as well as the co-factors for magnesium (zinc, b vitamins and calcium). Fun and easy to make, they help to satisfy chocolate cravings, they balance blood sugar levels (good source of protein, good fats and complex carbohydrates and fibre), so why not give them a go? Make a big batch and freeze some, or a small batch and keep them in the fridge. If you can resist eating them all within the first few days, they will last about 4-5 days in the fridge.

Makes approximately 12

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw/fermented nuts and seeds (I used about 3/4 cup of a mixed nuts pack and added a few handfuls of seeds such as pepitas, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds.)
• 2-3 tbsp wheat bran (you can alternatively use oat bran)
• 5 dates
• 2 tbsp unhulled tahini
• 2 tbsp blackstrap molasses
• 2 tbsp raw cocoa powder
• Optional – freshly ground flax seeds, chia seeds or wheat germ

Method

In a food processor blend the nuts and seeds until the become a coarse powder.  Finely chop the dates or blend as well (if they’re too dried you’ll have trouble blending them).

Mix the nuts, dates, tahini and blackstrap molasses and stir well.

Roll them into balls with your hands,  then roll in the cocoa powder.  Lightly tap to get rid of the excess powder.  From here you can mould them into different shapes (I made a heart because I love magnesium, haha).  You can refridgerate them or freeze them (let them defrost for about half an hour before eating).

Tips

These are very rich in magnesium and calcium so are great for people who need some extra of these minerals. They also contain a nice amount of zinc, protein and good fats. Have 1-2 a day.

While the molasses is high in sugar, it is a great source of vitamins and minerals. Having it combined with the nuts and seeds helps to reduce the GI.

Each ball would roughly contain about 100mg magnesium, 37mg of calcium and 1mg of zinc (I know it doesn’t sound like much zinc but remember that minerals are needed in different amounts.)

Click here for more information about magnesium.

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