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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.
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![Easy Chocolate Hemp Protein Balls](https://ohsheglows.com/gs_images/2018/08/Raw-Chocolate-Truffles-00115-1-768x768.jpg)
Easy Chocolate Hemp Protein Balls
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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
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Thanks, I needed this today. I’ve taken 2 weeks off the gym due to an injury and have been feeling super guilty about it, but we need to listen to our bodies when they are telling us to slow down.
I’m glad it helped Cassidy….slowing down and not feeling guilty is one of the hardest lessons to learn. Sending you all the healing vibes!
Thank you for making this nut free !! My husband has nut allergies and so many recipes for healthier, plant based options have nuts. These look amazing !
That’s so true Nancy…I’ve been on a bit of a mission in recent years/months to create more nut-free recipes. You can find all of my blog ones here: https://ohsheglows.com/categories/recipes-2/food-allergies/allergies-nut-free/ the app also has a handy search filter for nut-free and my second cookbook Oh She Glows Every Day has a lot of nut-free recipes and options too. Hope this helps!
THANK YOU for nut-free, vegan recipes! I’ve got a nut allergy and it’s really tough to find vegan recipes/blogs that don’t include cashews and almonds in every item! Thank you for the nut-free love <3
Hey Laura, anytime!! There will be more to come as I’m currently off almonds and cashews at the moment, heh.
Angela, these look yummy. One of my favorite recipes in the summer is your Deconstructed Key Lime Pie. I am so sad because I lost the recipe. Anyway you can post that recipe?
Hey Robin,
Oh was that recipe in one of my cookbook bonus bundles by chance? I think it could be. I’m going to email you a copy now. :)
Angela, I love that your blog has such a personal touch to it. As you mentioned some people just pump out recipes (sometimes daily-geeze) and I have no desire to read their content or even check out their recipes. But I always love reading your posts. I’m glad you are listening to your body and taking some “me” time to take care of yourself. I’m finally getting my doctors appointments that I’ve been putting off for the last year (or years-oops!) scheduled. I hope you get your health issues figured out soon. Best, Kayla
Hey Kayla, aww thank you!! What a sweet note. I really appreciate it. And good for you for scheduling those appointments…they can be so easy to not make the time for. Next up for me, getting my eyes checked! lol.
Thank you for this. I too am an all or nothing person. It’s very hard because if your not doing all you feel like your failing. I hope you get to the root of your problem, but until then remember that perfection is not possible, but your best in your circumstances is.
I love that Kelly, thank you. And it’s so true!
I’m glad you enjoyed the post..thanks for reading. :)
I’ve been a long-time reader, and I always love your thoughtful approach. I had 4 kids in 6 years, all while working FT outside the home and with a commute. Something happened last year, and I realized I needed to make a serious change. I renegotiated my rate, contract, everything. I got out of almost all my career obligations (boards, committees). I get as much sleep as possible now – even if that means not exercising. I go out with my husband once a week. And on and on.
For a long time, I was full of sadness at these “losses” – and yes, it is a loss. Including the loss of identity that I can do it all. But, after a year or so I’ve really reducing my commitments. . . I’ve learned that there is important work to do in the quiet and slow spaces. I’ve learned some of my most important work is the work that shows nothing measurable daily, weekly, monthly, but it shows it’s value and worth over the course of a year or two. You also may being actually very busy and doing very focused work, but on healing and relearning patterns and habits. In a few years, you may find yourself not only stronger and healthier, but even more productive.
I’m really rooting for you, and I cannot wait to hear what you have to share in the future!
I’ve loved all your thoughtful comments over the years and this one has just left me so inspired. Thank you so much for sharing! I’m smiling for you just hearing about all the changes you’ve made that have improved your life.
Hi, I can’t have coconut oil. Is there a substitute that would work?
Thank you!
Hi Leslie, I haven’t tried anything, but you could probably leave it out and swap it for a tiny bit of almond milk or water (start with 1 teaspoon as you don’t want them too wet). The balls might not firm up quite as much (since the coconut oil solidifies when chilled), but I think they would still taste amazing.
Thank you so much for sharing Angela. One reason I love following you so much is how real and down to earth you are. As a busy blogger and mom myself, I relate SO MUCH to how you are feeling. I have struggled before with the constant, go go go mindset and am a huge non-stop worker. I actually enjoy working very much but this past year I let the pressures of having to keep up let go and while I’m not perfect at it, I am a lot better for not allowing other dictate my own pace and what I “should do”. It’s freeing. I hope you find the answers to healing your physical struggles. You are such a talented and bright lady and I always, always recommend your book to anybody and everybody, especially new vegans. My parents regularly cook from your book and love it! (both of them) Take care of yourself, we will always support you! xx
Aww Brandi, I can’t thank you enough! Your note just made me heart happy. :) Good for you for working on your own terms and freeing yourself from that guilt. It’s really hard to do, but like you said feels so freeing. And I really appreciate your kind words about my book and for sharing it with others. I adore you and think the world of your work too!
What food processor do you have and do you recommend it?
Hey Jen, I currently use this Cuisinart Food Processor: https://goo.gl/jzKxS9 I like that it’s simpler than my previous model (which had multiple-sized bowls) and it works well for making nut butter, coconut butter, hummus, etc. The only downside I’ve had with my unit is that I’ve had the bowl break in a couple spots…luckily it was covered by the warranty though! I hope that helps!
These are so delicious and have become a favorite in the office. We have a high-pace week coming up, so I’m about to make another batch to keep everyone fueled for work ahead of us!
I’m so happy to hear that Sarah! Thank you :)
Chopped chocolate – not optional. I made some on the small size to toss into some coconut ice cream like a DQ blizzard. Other than that, no changes to the recipe and they came out perfect. Thank you for including weight measurements on the ingredients, especially the dates – that’s so much easier to work with.
haha love your thinking Laura! I’m so craving these tossed into coconut ice cream now…omg. So perfect! Thanks for your review!
So easy and I can have these on hand as a snack for the kids. Love it!
These were delicious. Kids ate them right up. To punch up the nutrition even further I added a TB of tahini instead of the water. Also 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Rolled in chocolate/cinnamon coconut shreds.
Next time I’ll make a double batch!
I love your tweaks Elizabeth! Thanks for sharing :)
Really LOVE these!!! Super easy to make even though I dont have a food processor I was able to make them with a not so great blender stick with a bit of extra effort :)
Hey Sofie, Thanks for your review! So glad they were a hit (and that the blender method worked in a pinch).
If it helps anyone else, I’ve spent two+ years getting healthy, healing my digestive system and then everything else along the way (silent reflux = voice loss, chronic cough, clearing throat, etc), spending thousands of out of pocket paying for naturopath and myriad tests. I considered it my new hobby,and that’s the way I justified the time and money. I am worth it, and if my friends find me annoying now with all this knowledge, I wonder what they would have thought if I’d never gotten better! Keep up the good work everyone. Be your own doctor, because no one will care about us as much as we do, and there’s never been so much helpful info on line to get ourselves educated.
So glad to hear that you took the time for your health Janet. As the quote goes…Our health is our wealth!
This recipe looks wonderful, I would love to try with the peppermint oil but I am not sure how much to add. What would be your suggestion? Many thanks
Hey Angie, The intensity of peppermint oil can vary between brands so I would suggest starting small and adding more if needed. Maybe 1/4 teaspoon to start and go from there. :)
These sound delicious but unfortunately dates don’t agree with me. Can you please suggest the best alternative I should use? Nyree
I was really excited to make these but I added too much water and the batter just became mushy. I tried to save it by adding oats but it’s still super mushy. It’s totally my fault though. Will probably try to make them again sometime because although I’m not a fan of the consistensy, the flavour was nice! hehe
So I just made these and they are SO GOOD! I followed the recipe to the letter (minus the optional chopped chocolate) and rolled them in sweetened shredded coconut, which only barely adhered so it looks more like a light dusting of snow. My 11-year-old daughter looked at them and said, “they’re so pretty!”
I followed the weights rather than the volume measurements and got exactly 12 tablespoon-sized balls, and I didn’t need to add any water. So the recipe is pretty much perfect!