Cranberry Almond Bliss Balls/Truffles

Happy New Year, everyone! I guess I’m well late with the well wishes. 2024 is off to a flying start! It’s kicking off for me with two whopping years of braces, a filling, and possibly even a veneer thanks to a mega face plant at the end of an easy run with a friend…but that’s another story for another day, and all is A-OK. I hope this fresh new page is finding you happy, healthy, refreshed, and inspired.

Everyone knows I’m not the biggest fan of New Year, although I stick with a few rituals nonetheless. We toasted the "Noon Year" with some gut-friendly, bubbly kombucha alongside some sweet treats in a fun bid for good fortune. I'm both a sucker for and a skeptic when it comes to superstitions, but with fun and fairly nourishing foods, I figure, why not?

Last year I went the southern route with black-eyed peas and cornbread. This year it was round sweets (apparently they bring a full circle of sweet joy into your life) and good luck grapes. For these cranberry almond bliss ball/truffles, I incorporated a little leftover homemade apple-juice and pineapple sweetened cranberry sauce, and the results were subtle yet distinct and lovely! Enough that I wanted to share. Typically, I approach bliss balls in a more or less haphazard fashion, throwing things in according to whimsy. Sometimes, though, you just strike a special flavor, like golden milk, chai…or these. Then, you have the option to elevate them to heavenly rich indulgence simply by dipping in melted chocolate. You don’t even need to bother tempering. Bliss!

I only readin the last month that 12 grapes at midnight--one for each month of the year--is auspicious. Apparently this heralds from Spain? Honestly, the main reason I'm not that big on New Year's Eve—aside from the abrupt shift from holiday warmth and generosity back to get-up-and-go ego mode is because I just really like good sleep. It's much more important to me symbolically to wake up feeling fresh and energized for January 1, but I hope all of you get to ring in 2024 as late as you like!

Omens aside, there's a lot we're not in control of, but what we make of whatever comes our way matters. I'm committing to greeting this year with the most resonant approach shared here recently (@jena.pomeroy, I think it very likely will have been from you?): Open every door, and the ones that close, let them! I just love that, with the letting go being so often understated. I've given too much energy to knocking on doors I don't even necessarily want to go through, just to appease the persistent inner voice pleading for validation. So much better to reflect meaningfully, and move forward with wonder and curiosity. Wishing you all abundant health, joy, and possibilities! xo

Happy, healthy January!

Cranberry Almond Bliss Ball-Truffles
Yield: 12-15 truffles

10-12 plump Medjool dates, soaked in warm water
⅓ Cup cacao powder
⅓ Cup almond butter (nuts only)
⅓ Cup oats
1-2 Tablespoons cranberry sauce (or swap in dried cranberries)
¼ Cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Melted dark chocolate, extra cacao powder, or unsweetened shredded coconut for dipping/rolling

Blend all ingredients through cranberry sauce in a food processor until forming a sticky dough. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the coconut. If the mixture is too wet, add in additional oats, coconut, or cacao powder.

With damp hands, roll the mixture into balls of approximately ¾-inch. Dip in melted dark chocolate or roll in coconut or cacao powder, as desired.