The most common question I get asked when I mention that I tend to avoid red meat is, “but how do you get enough iron?” Well, there are lots of ways, but nuts and seeds are a great start. Did you know that 2 tablespoons of pumpkin seeds contain 4.4 mg of iron, which is 3/4 of a woman’s RDI? I’ve rounded up a bunch of super-hero ingredients which provide a  treasure trove of essential minerals, and created a delicious snack. Brazil nuts famously contain selenium, and almonds and pumpkin seeds provide high levels of magnesium, iron and zinc, or S.M.I.Z (see what I did there?)

These little balls make a wonderfully filling snack, especially if you are craving chocolate (around 3 o’clock in the afternoon maybe?)

1/3 cup each Brazil nuts, Cashew nuts, Pumpkin seeds and Almonds

1/3 cup desiccated coconut plus extra for coating

7-8 dates

1 tablespoon cacao (or good quality cocoa) powder

1 teaspoon vanilla paste

2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted

Blitz all the nuts and seeds in a high-speed blender until they have the consistency of fine breadcrumbs. Add the coconut, dates, cacao and vanilla and blend again until the mixture forms a paste. Add the coconut oil and blend until smooth and creamy, but stop before the oils begin to separate.

Roll teaspoon sized amounts into balls and coat in the extra coconut. My batch made 12, but I’m greedy; you might get more if you make the balls a little smaller! Refrigerate until set, then keep in the fridge for up to a week.