The Omega!

America has taken supplementing just a bit far as of late. Constantly being bombarded by televison ads and peer pressure has caused some to lose focus of the purpose of supplementation. The original purpose of dietary supplementation was to incorporate or encourage healthly levels of specific nutrients that were not readily available while eating an otherwise, healthy diet. As a health coach I see more and more clients supplementing a diet full of fatty, processed, and nutrient poor foods. The truth is, simply taking a supplement will not guarantee great health, and the absence of disease does not mean we are healthy. We should seek first, to eat a nutritious diet by incorporating lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts , seeds, and whole grains, as a diet of this composition can supply our bodies with just about every nutrient it needs; including protein.

I believe food should not only look good; it should also taste good, and be good for you. Remember those Flinstones vitamins we would take as a child (yes, I'm dating myself here)? We looked forward to taking them because they didn't taste half bad. Well, I had the same idea in mind when I came up with this recipe. Icall this ball of heaven The Omega, because it's packed with the monounsaturated fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6. In fact, just one cookie can supply up to 9,000mg and 2,600mg of omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids. Along with the fatty acids, these cookies have a surplus of other vitamins and minerals including manganese, folate, magnesium, and phosphorus.

Visit your primary care physician and have a complete work up done. The results of your work up will identify which vitamins and minerals are lacking in your diet and begin to include foods in your diet that are rich in the indicated deficiencies.

The following recipe is simple, easy, and absolutely delicious. I hope you and your family enjoy them as much as mine does. Get your omega fatty acids today!

The Omega

2 cups walnut halves

20 medjool dates, pitted

1/3 cup plus 2 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut

1 tbsp organic coconut oil

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

3 tbsp chia seeds

1/4 tsp freshly grated cinnamon (I used Indonesian cinnamon)

1/3 cup cacao nibs

Set two tablespoons of shredded coconut in a plastic sandwich bag. Place walnuts, dates, coconut, coconut oil, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and chia seeds in a food processor and blend for 2 minutes until the oils release from the walnuts. Mixture should be a bit crumbly, but stick together when pressed with a spoon.

Add cacao nibs and pulse until they are evenly dispersed throughout the mixture. Use a teaspoon to scoop out mixture and form balls. Place balls in bag with the coconut and gently squeeze so that the coconut flakes will adhere to its sides. Enjoy cookies right away or store in an airtight container in refrigerator.