Vata-Balancing Recipe: Date Rolls

Now that autumn has arrived, we want to start thinking of foods that will help ground and warm us. Vata is the predominant dosha this time of year, and it will be manifesting in our external and internal environments, so it's important to make sure that we are taking care of the vata within us as well.

In order to balance the cold and light qualities of vata, we want to favor foods and spices that are warming and nourishing. It's also important to include oily and sweet foods, which help to balance and moisten vata. Now, I'm not saying that it's ok to eat the sweetest candy bar, covered in caramel. Vata can't handle extremes, and highly processed candies and sugar fall in that category. There are much better ways to get those tastes, such as warm rice or natural sources of sugar, like dates and maple syrup.

Here's a SUPER simple and yummy recipe. It's filled with warming spices that are rolled into dates, making the perfect afternoon snack. Bon appetite!

Ingredients:

• 40 dates
• 1 tablespoon melted ghee
• 1/3 cup crushed walnuts
• 3 teaspoons cardamom powder
• 2 teaspoons ginger powder
• Unsweetened coconut flakes for dusting

Directions:

In a food processor, grind all of the dates. Depending on your processor's capacity, you'll want to do this in small batches, or all at once if it can handle it. Place all of the dates into a mixing bowl and drizzle the ghee on top. Add the walnuts, cardamom, and ginger.

With clean hands, mix all of the ingredients together. Next, roll the date mixture into little spheres; not too big, not too small—but a size that works for you. Finally, pour the coconut flakes into a separate bowl and roll your dates in the coconut flakes until they are covered. Voila, you are done!

These date rolls will last for a good amount of time. Keep them in a sealed container in a dry, cool place. Enjoy!