Some days, no matter how much planning and prep work I do, I just can’t seem to get everything I want done. Does this ever happen to you? I would consider myself a very organized person, but sometimes I take on way too many projects. This was one of those weeks.
Work was busier than normal with students lined up out the door to speak with me. I started teaching a new class so there was prep work and organizing to do. I had made a few social commitments for my evenings which are always necessary for me to feel human when things get chaotic. Then, there was the blog. It had been occupying a lot of my mind space as I was in a bit of a rush to get things set up and launched. By Wednesday, I was eagerly anticipating the weekend. I know most people feel this way, especially in their jobs, but this feeling is more like the exception than the rule for me. My job is busy and trying and it is definitely not always easy, but it is fulfilling.
This week, however, I was barely able to keep it together until Thursday. I could feel the anxiety of my list of things that needed to get done weighing on my mind. All of the pressure I was feeling was self-inflicted; I wanted to work on the blog, I wanted to visit with my friends, I wanted to check things off my to-do list. But even though the pressure came from within, I knew I needed to take a step back and re-evaluate.
That’s usually when I go into the kitchen. In the kitchen, I feel at ease and I can let my mind wander while I work to throw together a delicious meal or whip up a batch of Mike’s favourite Chocolate Chip Cookies. Not everyone feels this way; for some, working in the kitchen is the most stressful thing they can do. But, rest assured, if you are the type of person that gets stressed out in the kitchen, I’ve got a remedy for you.
Energy Balls! These power-hitting little snacks have been blowing up the Internet for a while now and there are a million different varieties to try. These ones came at just the right time for me. They are a tasty treat when you’re craving something sweet (I didn’t mean for that to rhyme, but it works), and they are so easy to make. No baking is required! They are great when you’re in a rush and don’t have time to eat a proper meal. You can just grab a couple to snack on until you can have lunch or dinner. Mike really enjoys them in the mornings when he is headed off to a meeting and doesn’t have time to sit down for breakfast. And, just to add one more reason to why you should make these energy balls now (as if you needed another, amiright?), they are so much healthier than the highly processed, calorie packed but nutrient lean snacks you grab at the corner store or the fast food line.
As I mentioned before, there are so many different varieties you can make of these, so go wild! Chances are, if you’re anything like me, you have most of these ingredients in your kitchen all the time and if you don’t they are easily found at your local grocery store or at Bulk Barn. Have fun with combining different flavours. You really can’t mess it up! Enjoy!
No Bake Energy Balls
These chewy energy balls are packed with protein and full of flavour. Use whatever nuts and seeds you have on hand to try out different flavour combinations.
Ingredients
2 cups oats
2 cups any combination of the following: unsweetened shredded coconut, finely chopped slivered almonds, finely chopped cashews, chia seeds, wheat germ, etc.
1 cup ground flax seeds
1 cup natural peanut butter (or any nut butter)
1Tbsp raw honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chocolate chips (the mini size work best)
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine all the oats, nuts, seeds and ground flax seeds.
- Add in the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract.
- Mix until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and continue to mix until all the “dry” ingredients start to come together. The mixture should all stick together.
- Using your hands, form small balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- When all balls have been formed, place in the refrigerator for 1 hour to harden.
- Store in a ziploc bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 week (if they last that long!)
The Bliss List 
Hey Kels!!
These look great! And super easy to make.
Thanks for the recipe! Cant wait to try it.
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