Chocolate covered coconut mint thingies

I originally got the idea for these from a teacher friend, Tasha, who made them with her students.  Yesterday, on Christmas, I decided to give this a go...

I apologize in advance that I measured nothing.  I will make again with proper measurements and add them to this post, but if you are adventurous, give it a try.  Perfectionism be gone!

Using unsweetened coconut gives you the option to sweeten it the way you want to and the texture is quite different.  It will really change the way you think about using shredded coconut.  I usually claim to not like coconut, but I realize now, that it is the sweetened stuff that I don't like.

Recipe

Ingredients
1 bag unsweetened coconut (I got organic at Down to Earth)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Peppermint oil (not mint flavoring)
Honey
Semi-sweet chocolate
Umm.... leftover vanilla frosting from package of organic cinnamon buns (optional) with green food coloring and some peppermint.

Start with about half a bag (2 Cups-ish) of coconut.  Mix in about 1/3 of the can of milk and 2 T of honey.  Stir.  You want a consistency that will form a ball.  If too loose or dry, add more honey and milk.  Too wet does not seem to matter.  Add 4-6 drops of peppermint oil to taste.  Mine is Young Living Brand and is very strong.

Form balls and put on parchment.  I used a small cookie baller to form them and place on sheet.  Place in freezer while you make more coconut balls or start melting chocolate.  I froze them for about 15 minutes.

Melt semi-sweet chocolate in double boiler.  I used Trader Joes brand baking chocolate that comes in the giant bars.  I used about 20 squares to make 24 balls.

Roll the bars in the melted chocolate and place back on parchment sheet.  Drizzle green topping.  If you are going to make a green topping - you could melt white chocolate, add 2 drops peppermint and color it green.  Or, you could make a mix of confectioners sugar and water, color green and add peppermint.

I'm not very experienced with making candies so mine were not that pretty, but everyone raved about them.

Healing

I have always struggled with getting sick around the holidays.  Like most people, I tend to overdo it before the holidays and am susceptible to whatever suspicious little germ that walks by.  I started getting sick on the 22nd quite predictably.  This year, I slowed myself way down.  I conserved my energy.  I rested.  I slept.  I meditated.  I talked to my inner child.  I healed without major intervention.  I'm quite proud of myself.