It’s okay to give yourself a break.
This is something I’ve been reminded of over and over again since the beginning of the year. In a recent newsletter, I shared my struggles with injury and overtraining and opened up about why I decided to take a big old exercise break starting in January 2018. It felt so wrong to do that at the start of a brand new year, let me tell you! I was so nervous to send that newsletter issue out, but the response was fantastic, and many of you said you’d been going through something similar. It never ceases to amaze me how supportive this community is!
The themes of my year have been self-care, healing, and gentle movement while I work through some ongoing health issues, and so far I’ve been sticking with them. Sometimes I feel guilty that I’m not doing “enough”, as it’s easy to get caught up in fitspo or the latest workout fads on Instagram. It seems like others are always working harder or in better shape. Same goes for career stuff. It’s just too easy to get sucked into that mindset of feeling like there are always 10 things I could fix, or that I’m always 10 steps behind where I “should” be. Hello, rat race! And I’ve realized that buying into that means that I’ll never be happy with where I am. It’s awesome to have goals, but feeling like I’m always behind (especially when I’m trying to make positive changes in other areas in my life) isn’t a relaxing way to live.
A lovely reader named Amanda commented recently, saying, “…part of the reason I’ve always loved your blog is because you’re not a robot who just pumps out recipes…you tell us a bit about what’s going on in your life.” I could’ve cried reading Amanda’s note, as it was just what I needed to hear that day after feeling so much guilt about how the year had gone so far. Sometimes we just need the reminder that we’re allowed to have weeks, months, or years that just feel off, but the bright side is that they make us hungrier for those weeks, months, and years that feel GOOD. It’s the best kind of motivation once you get that wake-up call.
I’ve always been an all-or-nothing type of gal, and it’s something I have to be mindful of all the time…it’s in my nature to go big or go home. It’s not in my nature to approach things in a gentle (sane) manner! I am a Taurean bull, afterall—charging, stubborn, determined to accomplish my goals at almost any cost. But often that cost tends to be my emotional or physical health. I charge ahead with my eyes set on the goal and I’m usually okay with the collateral damage if it’s “just me” that takes a hit. I’m strong and can handle a lot, so for most of my life that’s how things have worked.
Eventually something has to give though…it always does! My health issues this past year (see this post and comments) have been a huge red flag. And for once, I’m listening closely even though I don’t quite understand the root of it yet. I’m taking time for me. I’m trying to heal myself. I’m going to doctors appointments. I’m on a temporary allergy elimination diet (hence the lack of recipes lately!) and I’m getting long overdue tests done. I’m not burning myself out.
The silver lining is that setbacks, whether health or otherwise, do eventually force us to stop and examine everything. I know the other side will hold a deeper appreciation for feeling like myself again. And when I get back into my beloved sweaty workouts (which I actually do love), I’ll strive for more balance and patience rather than seeing how many classes I can cram into one week. I will continue to follow social media accounts that build me up with positive inspiration and avoid the others like the plague. I’ll be okay with where I am and respect the journey rather than feeling like I’m failing.
So yes, it’s okay to give yourself a break.
You don’t always have to be in go-go-go mode.
You don’t have to feel behind everyone else.
Where you are right now is exactly where you are supposed to be—even if it’s uncomfortable.
Well, that’s this week’s reminder for anyone who needs it. :) Sort of a thought dump going on today! I’d love to hear if you’ve ever been through something similar, or maybe you’ve been working through things this year too?
Unrelated but definitely worth mentioning: these rich and fudgy balls are FANTASTIC and we can’t stop making them!!! Haha. I hope you love them too.
Featuring all new, protein-packed salads, hearty toppers, flavour boosters, and dressings you'll want to drink, my new cookbook will transform the way you think about salads. Oh, and be sure to flip to the back for a surprise dessert chapter!
Easy Chocolate Hemp Protein Balls
Yield
6 large or 12 small balls
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Chill time
20 minutes
Total time
This is the ideal snack when your sweet tooth needs something fast, but you also want the staying power of healthy fats and protein! Bursting with hemp hearts, these nut-free chocolate protein balls are nutritional powerhouses filled with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, magnesium, and more. Just like your favourite little black dress, they can be dressed up or down depending on your mood. I love rolling them in hemp hearts, shredded coconut or cocoa powder. For an extra luxurious energy ball, I simply dip the balls in melted chocolate and then chill them until the coating is firm. Recipe adapted from my Raw Chocolate Truffles in The Oh She Glows Cookbook Bonus Bundle.
Ingredients
For the balls:
- 1 cup (160 g) lightly packed pitted Medjool dates*
- 6 tablespoons (55 g) hemp hearts
- 3 tablespoons (15 g) unsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons (11 g) shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) virgin coconut oil
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3 tablespoons (30 g) chopped dark chocolate (optional)
- 1 to 3 teaspoons (5 to 15 mL) water, if needed
Topping options:
- Shredded coconut
- Hemp hearts
- Unsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao powder
- Melted dark chocolate
Directions
- Place the pitted dates in a food processor and process until a ball forms.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the processor (hemp hearts, cocoa/cacao powder, coconut, coconut oil, salt, and chocolate, if using) and process until thoroughly combined and almost smooth. The dough should be sticky and shouldn’t be crumbly when you form a ball. If it’s not sticky enough, add 1 to 3 teaspoons of water a bit at a time, processing after each addition.
- Line a plate with parchment paper. Lightly wetting your hands if needed, shape the dough into balls and place them on the lined plate. Roll each ball into your desired topping(s) until completely coated (if needed, lightly wet the ball before rolling so the toppings stick).
- Freeze the balls for 20 minutes until firm or simply enjoy right away!
- Store the leftovers in the fridge or freezer for a quick burst of energy whenever you need one (seriously, that would be all the time in this house!). The balls will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for a week and in the freezer for 4 to 8 weeks.
Tip:
* If your dates are bone dry, soak them in boiled water for 15 minutes and then drain very well. Use an old towel to press out the excess water. If the “dough” is too sticky to shape, add some shredded coconut and process again.
For a fun twist, try changing up the flavours by adding peppermint or orange extract!
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
These are fantastic. I keep them in the freezer and pop one in my kids lunch boxes ( and mine) for a special treat. We all like the coconut on the outside the best. The cocoa powder on the outside made it a little bitter which was a non starter for the kids. I used dark chocolate chips. Love that my kids consider it a dessert. I made the balls a little smaller so was able to get more then 12.
These were super yummy! Very addictive but guilt-free. Thank you for the recipe! I think in future I’ll double the recipe, it yielded 8 for me for the size I like. I rolled all of them in coconut. My chocolate was quite dark so between that and the cocoa they were initially a bit more bitter than I’d like, so I added a tablespoon of maple syrup along with 2 of water to loosen up the dough.
I’d like to try the chocolate orange version soon as per the suggestions – how much orange essence would you suggest adding?
Hi Angela,
I have enjoyed your recipes for years. The one bowl chocolate chunk cookie is my go-to cookie. I hadn’t been to your website for awhile and wanted to look up the hemp hearts protein balls. The site has changed. The ads are so prevalent that some content is even hidden. I tried closing them, but they are still everywhere, flashing and so on. Even a print of the recipe got embedded with an ad. I realize this is a source of income, but maybe you didn’t mean for it to be this obnoxious. I truly appreciate all of the wonderful recipes you’ve developed. Maybe you can do something to make this a bit better experience. Stay healthy! Louise
I love energy balls, they are so filling and hemp is such a nutritious and delicious protein source. Energy balls are very prcatical, they make great healthy snacks or desserts. Keep them in your gym bag, office, or in your car. They are not to be missed!
Love these protein balls! My go to snack when I’m running after my babies all day:)
I’ve made these maybe 4-5 times now and absolutely love them! Rolled in cocoa powder is my favourite. 38wks pregnant and making them again to have a quick snack when this baby arrives :)
So good, left out the salt and chocolate chips, added six dates to keep it lower in sugar, love that it’s not a giant batch. Made it twice this week, added a scoop of protein and more hemp seeds to the second batch and still great