Bonbons, Basil, & New Year's Promises!

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Oh, my lovelies, we have all entered into another 365 mystical days here on middle earth. In the realm of men, this usually involves some promises to ourselves. Many call these promises resolutions. They are often naughty habits we are certainly not going to do anymore or enchanting actions we will begin to take for the betterment of ourselves and maybe even the ones we love.

I have quite a few of these resolutions. Some are quite serious. For example, I have promised myself that I will no longer underestimate myself and, for that matter, others. You know, I'm just not going to allow myself to act like a naughty witch and be disappointed in myself later. I think you all know what I'm talking about here:-)

Most of my promises are culinary and health related though. I'll spare you all of them, but, as you may know, I have a little issue with sweets. I love them-any kind, anywhere. So I really need to make sure that we concentrate on having mostly wholesome sweets around the house and ready for work lunches. Hence regularly making healthful, wholesome sweets is one of my culinary resolutions for 2011.

One sweet that has really helped me are these bonbons I found on one of my favorite blogs. I'm reposting them due to how much they have aided me in controlling myself and also because I tweaked the recipe to include a less expensive, super healthful protein as well as high fiber, starchy oatmeal. The flavors have also been adjusted a bit to include chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, and orange juice. They are just delicious, and I can't eat anything for at least 3-4 hours when I've had about two of them. They are just satisfying and really amazing!

Here's the recipe:

1 Packed Cup of Dates (Deglet Nour)

3/4 Cup Raw Sunflower Seeds (Toasted)

1/4 Cup Rolled Oats

2 Tbsp. Cocoa

1 Tbsp. Raw Agave Nectar or Maple Syrup*

1 Tbsp. Orange Juice

1/4 Tsp. Cinnamon

1/4 Tsp. Real Vanilla Extract

For Rolling: Cocoa, Coconut, Sesame Seeds, Powdered Sugar, Crushed Pistachio, Etc...

*Honey substituted for either of the sweeteners above will cause for a somewhat greasy ball, so beware...

Place sunflower seeds in a dry pan and toast on medium heat for about 5 minutes. Allow to cool.

In a food processor, place the oatmeal and whirl for about 8-10 seconds. Add cooled sunflower seeds and whirl till the seeds and oatmeal become a fine meal. Then add the dates, cocoa, cinnamon, agave, and vanilla. Whirl till the dates are broken down and everything is very well mixed-this was about 20 seconds for me. You will notice the mixture is dry and not quite coming together. Measure out 1 Tbsp. of orange juice and whirl about half of it into the mix. See if the mixture comes together. If not, add the other half tbsp.

Wet your hands slightly with water before rolling (orange blossom or rose water are really nice, but regular water is fine too). Take a piece of the sticky dough and roll into balls that are about the size of a quarter or a bit larger if you like. After being rolled, immediately toss each ball in cocoa or your desired coating.

p.s. If you are tossing in cocoa or powdered sugar, be sure to tap off the excess powder! One can inhale it...

On a gardening note, Dearies, I want to show off that I am successfully achieving one of my goals, which is to eat more local and out of my own yard. Which brings me to the Cluckfrey's Vegan Chicken sandwich we ate today. It was delicious. Most importantly though was that the lettuce, basil, and even the avocado came out of my own front yard. Aren't you proud of me, my lovelies?!

I hope so, and I hope that all of my best elves and even trolls are able to achieve their goals/resolutions for this year of 2011!