Cacao energy balls:
Being a parent for me often feels like I’m a circus performer. Spinning plates for the family, whilst juggling what’s important to me. It’s easy to get drawn into things and be in the feeling of being busy and the need to keep pushing on.
I’ve found myself in this place recently. And whereas I realise that having a list of goals to achieve is a great way to focus the mind; Feeling too tied to the list can be counterproductive and unexpected events can tip the balance.
Feeling maxed out, pot overflowing doesn’t feel like a healthy place to be. Tiredness, twitching eyes and being irritable all point to one obvious thing: It’s time to take a step back. We all know it. Yet it doesn’t come naturally. Not to me anyway.
Maintaining a presence on social media, being creative, running the house along with family life is the ultimate act, but I think it’s time to make a few changes to this performance. But I guess years of ‘being’ a certain way will not change overnight, and it starts with a realisation of a need for change. I have made those realisations before but have ignored it. But this week I noticed a real difference.
I’d say I live a pretty low key life. I rarely drink anymore, feel like I have retired my social life for the winter and eat home cooked food most days. But in my Fuss Free Foodie efforts and the rise in work I’ve noticed one thing has slipped off the radar.
Regular exercise.
Up until recently, I could really push myself physically. Ran (I’ve done 3 half marathons), 10K assault courses and high impact gym classes; And enjoyed it. But my body was increasingly feeling unhappy with the push and more extreme exercise. So as the work came in I rationalised my exercise and started only doing 1 yoga class a week.
I hadn’t associated that by doing more yoga, I could achieve that same sense of mental freedom that I used to get from the high energy workouts. Having done 2-3 yoga classes this week I’ve noticed a huge difference in my mental state.
By stepping away and not pushing on, I felt like I was observing again and not getting caught up in my feelings and emotions. By doing less work and not being in that ‘busy’ place we all seem to find ourselves, I was still productive and got the important things done. I did something I enjoy, which in turn creates more space to be effective in the following days.
I’ve known this of myself in the past, but I guess I hadn’t figured that any regular exercise can help you lean into that feeling of inner calm. I guess anything in excess whether it’s work, food or exercise can do more harm than good, and the idea of balance is a good thing to strive for across all areas of life!
So in the interest of being balanced, as we about to embark on the eating season, I thought I would share this recipe as an antidote to all of the chocolate! These cacao energy balls are super tasty and hit that sweet spot.
They are perfect for making with the children, as they can help with the rolling and you won’t mind them eating them at snack time as well! I like to add a nutrient powder from a health food shop to boost my energy balls, but they are equally as delicious without!
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Cacao Energy Balls
- 1/3 cup of almonds
- 1 and a half cups pitted dates or mixed dried fruits
- 1 tbsp. almond butter
- 2 tbsp. cacao powder
- Optional. 1 tbsp. nutrient dense powder like One Earth
- Optional coating: Sesame, chia seeds or extra cacao for coating
- Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and blitz for 1-2 mins
- Roll a teaspoon (or more if you want them bigger!) into a ball and then roll in a coating if you choose to
- Keep in the fridge
Drop a comment on your preferred platform and let us know if you try them and what you think! Lisax