OK friend. I polled you on socials this week on which recipe to share and this was the overwhelming winner - maybe because I talked it up so much in the weeks prior, maybe because you've been jonesing for a tasty little (healthy) treat.
Either way, I'm excited to share this with you today. It was a HUGE HIT with Ty and Aiden, and me too. Pumpkin protein balls were good, these are ADDICTIVELY delicious lol. Warning, you may need to double batch this one because the balls will be eaten quickly.
I made a double batch thinking I would have some to freeze for when labour begins, but we ate them so....guess I need to make another batch (and NOT devour them lol)
In other news, I'm 38 weeks preggo now and Ty and I are starting to feel the anticipation of labour building. When will Peanut come?? We started taking guesses from friends and followers and some of you think he's coming earrrrrrly, like in the next few days omg! Others are guessing late October. Due date is October 27 - what do YOU think?? Let me know in the comments below :)
I've had a chat with Peanut, and I've asked him to try to hold off until at least next Wednesday (Oct 20), a) so my mom can get here and look after Aiden when this all goes down, and b) until I get the final few plans complete for my 1:1 clients....nothing quite like being majorly sleep deprived, with a new baby, and trying to complete deadlines.....pray for me LOL
Either way, I'm doing my best at this point to keep the needle moving forward, keep eating well, rest when needed, and keep moving a little bit every day. I've been loving my daily walks to the waterfront, while listening to birthing affirmations, and when I have had the energy for a workout (2-3 days a week at this point), it's definitely been challenging and soooo modified.
Which is just the stage I'm at..and it's humbling. Accepting where we might currently be, doing what we can, and acknowledging a small win when we have one. Maybe you've experienced this too, and maybe you've run the tape in your head that this "isn't enough".
But I'm here to remind you that IT IS ENOUGH. When you show up consistently, some days WILL feel like this. Some days your workouts won't be your best. Some days you won't have motivation. Some days you'll kick a$$ and your nutrition will be on point. Some days you'll feel like you're not making much progress....
But you likely ARE, so don't give up. Don't stop. Take every experience as a learning moment, and just keep showing up with the intention to keep showing up and moving the needle forward. It's this kind of tenacity that WILL help you get to your goals.
Keep going babe 👊🏼
And then find some time to make these delicious protein balls! Because they will help you kick that 3pm slump and become your new fave snack ;)
OK here ya go! Enjoy!
Cinnamon Protein Bliss Balls
Prep Time: 15min | Freeze Time: 15min | Total Time: 30min
Makes: 12 protein balls
Ingredients:
1/2 cup smooth cashew butter*
3 tablespoons honey
1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup blanched almond flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 scoops (~75g) unflavoured/vanilla protein powder
1/3 cup chopped hazelnuts
Roll in:
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons white sugar (mixed together)
Instructions:
Place the cashew butter, honey, and vanilla in a large bowl and mix with a whisk until nice and creamy*
Add the almond flour, cinnamon, and protein powder, and whisk again until combined.
Add the hazelnut pieces and mix again until a soft texture forms, it will look like it will fall apart, but it will come together - promise!
Using your hands, form smooth balls from the dough and place on a baking sheet.
Place cinnamon and sugar on a plate/small bowl and mix, then roll each ball into the mix, and place back on the baking sheet. Freeze for 15 minutes, then remove from freezer and store in an air-tight container in the fridge.
*NOTES:
PREPARATION: If you happen to have a food processor, this will also speed up the prep time and save your forearms! But if you don't make sure it's a FRESH jar of cashew butter as the first bit will be oily and smoothest (vs the bottom which will be harder to whisk by hand)
STORAGE: Store in a air-tight container so they don't dry out - I LOVE these bliss balls out of the fridge cold! Good for up to one week in the fridge, or 3 months in the freezer.
