You can probably guess that's how my week is going. So short in that I can't seem to find enough time in the day to get done what I need to (or sleep enough), but so painfully long and as if Friday is SO far away. The good news is, it's hump day! And for me, tomorrow is a virtual Friday. Having every other Friday off is a beautiful thing, but the 9 hour days to compensate sometimes make the weeks drag on anyway.
Regardless of how my week is going, I always make time for a workout. In my eyes, it's not optional. I'm a firm believer in work-life balance, and working out is something that's very important to me. Don't get me wrong, if I need to work late or go into work early, I'm more than willing, but I always try to workout around my schedule. It may royally SUCK sometimes (all the time) getting up before 5am, or getting home after 7pm, but I'm willing to do it if it means I can squeeze in a workout. I'd also probably go insane if I didn't.
With working out comes refuel. I have been spending a lot of time lately making sure that I get the good stuff I need to gear up for a workout, or refuel after a workout. I've been around me long enough to know what my body needs in order to recover and I make sure that I eat balanced meals, drink a lot of water, and have been super focused on my protein intake. I typically eat 1-2 hours before a workout, and within 30 minutes to 1 hour after a workout. I totally live by the motto "eat to grow". If you spend an hour burning calories, it'll all be for naught if you don't re-energize with all the good stuff!
On the refueling note... I'm not sure how many times I can say how much I LOVE having energy bites as a snack throughout the week. There's countless different ways to prepare them, and I find them so ridiculously easy to make. All you need is 5-10 minutes. This week's bites combined two of my favorite flavors... vanilla (so basic but always one of my go-to's) and cranberry (who doesn't love CRANBERRY?). These had some different ingredients than the bites I'm used to making, but it was a great new realm of tastes. I should start by saying... dates. DATES? Where have you been all my life?! Not sure how I've made it through life this long without eating a date, at least not on purpose anyway, and I'm hooked. I've tried about three different foods in the past week that have dates in them, and I am very excited about it! Dates not only taste great but they're a great binder for things like little energy bites. I always get excited when I discover new foods that I like. I'll be on the lookout for some more recipes that use em, for sure!
All this rambling has probably demonstrated just how obsessed I am with these little guys. These will definitely stay in the energy bite rotation (but, then again, I haven't made any that won't?). Well, I guess I'm four for four!
I hope you enjoy these bites just as much as I did!
gluten free // vegan // paleo
Ingredients:
1/2 cup raw cashews (I like the salted ones, and get them in bulk at the grocery store)
1/2 cup raw almonds, unsalted
1/2 cup dried unsweetened cranberries
1/2 cup medjool dates, appx. 7
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions: add cashews and almonds to a food processor and pulse until fine, but not too long. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until it starts to hold. Add 2 tbsp of water if it isn't holding together. Form into balls and refrigerate. *My batch made about 14 with a medium cookie scoop.
Recipe from Danae at reciperunner.com
No comments:
Post a Comment
Questions? Comments? Stories? Feel free to share them!