We're having a pot luck here at the box tonight, so I thought I'd share my recipe for those who might be interested. I made a very easy, low-key, delicious and Paleo treat, Chocolate Coconut Balls. They look very similar to truffles, but are obviously much healthier for you! Many of our athletes, including superstars Kelly (of "Kelly and Eman") and Erin are huge fans.
Chocolate Coconut Balls*
2 C nuts of your choice (I use almond flour, pecans and walnuts)
1 T cocoa
1 T raw or agave honey
1 T coconut oil
1/4 C unsweetened coconut flakes
Extra coconut flakes (about 1 C)
*Ingredients above make about 10 balls.
**You can also add protein powder to the mixture so that it's not just carbs and healthy fats, but I'm not 100% sure what the amount would be. Maybe cut back on the nut flour??
Put nuts into food processor or blender, process/blend until it's fine, like flour. Note that the mixture will be kind of sticky and moist, but you don't want any big chunks of nuts in there! Put nut "flour" into a bowl. Mix in cocoa, honey, coconut oil and 1/4 C coconut flakes. You'll probably have to mix with your hands, as the coconut oil and honey don't mix well with a spoon. I usually mix for a good minute or two til I don't have honey stuck on my fingers!
Once the mixture is well blended, roll into truffle-sized balls (mine fit perfectly in mini muffin tins). They don't exactly roll easily, so you'll have to put them in your fist and ball them up that way. Once they're nice and round, roll balls in excess coconut flakes to coat their surface. When done, put them in the fridge to set.
I always get lots of compliments on this recipe, but I am sure it could be tweaked to change the flavor a bit. Enjoy!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
What New Year's Resolution?
It's almost February, and I haven't made any progress on my New Year's Resolutions, which are 1) eat less candy, 2) read more books and 3) be more positive. I really would like to accomplish at least two of these things, but like 99% of the world, I'm having a hard time keeping them top of mind.
According to surveys, only 8% of Americans successfully achieve their New Yearʼs resolutions. Why is it so hard to stick to our guns and actually follow through? Same reason that you canʼt get to an unknown destination without a map: you have to have a plan. This plan, along with willpower, is the only thing that insures success and a feeling of triumph by the time 2012 rolls around. Here are a few tips that will help with that plan and lead to resolution success.
1. Set realistic and appropriate resolutions. If youʼve never run a mile in your life, running your first marathon in 2011 will seem excruciatingly daunting. Instead, set a goal to run once a week, then three times, building up to a 5 or 10K. This will keep you from feeling like gigantic failure when you head out for your first long run on a Saturday morning and wonder how youʼre going to make it through the next 10 weeks of training (and if that $110 entry fee is
refundable).
2. Be accountable. Donʼt just think about your resolutions, write them down. Then theyʼre there, as a contract and agreement with yourself. Post them on the fridge, an even better idea if you have a weight-related resolution! Use friends and family for accountability as well. Come February or March, check in on each other to see how your resolutions are coming along.
3. Have a plan of attack. If youʼre resolving to quit smoking, youʼre going to run into severe temptation when youʼre out with friends who smoke. Choose to hang out with them at non-smoking establishments (aka - the entire city of Chicago), or have your response planned when they offer you a cigarette. And remember, your friends should want to support you.
4. Track your progress. Set certain benchmarks that will help you measure how far youʼve come since January 1st. Continual improvement is more probable when you can see the progress youʼve made and the difference between your old and new habits. Wanting to become less of a pack rat? Clean out your dresser first, then move on to the bathroom, then finally, the closet. Youʼll feel more and more organized and streamlined with each task you check off the
list.
5. Reward yourself. When your resolution becomes a reality, itʼs time to celebrate! Treat yourself at a restaurant youʼve been dying to visit with the money you saved by only going to Starbuckʼs 2 times a week instead of 5. After all, resolutions are never easy. And big accomplishments deserve a prize!
Donʼt be like many people and not set a resolution because youʼre afraid of failure. I think weʼve all learned that weʼre capable of doing things we thought were impossible for us. So decide on your resolution. Set a goal. Make a plan. And celebrate your accomplishments next December 31st. I will be celebrating by eating some candy as a reward. :)
According to surveys, only 8% of Americans successfully achieve their New Yearʼs resolutions. Why is it so hard to stick to our guns and actually follow through? Same reason that you canʼt get to an unknown destination without a map: you have to have a plan. This plan, along with willpower, is the only thing that insures success and a feeling of triumph by the time 2012 rolls around. Here are a few tips that will help with that plan and lead to resolution success.
1. Set realistic and appropriate resolutions. If youʼve never run a mile in your life, running your first marathon in 2011 will seem excruciatingly daunting. Instead, set a goal to run once a week, then three times, building up to a 5 or 10K. This will keep you from feeling like gigantic failure when you head out for your first long run on a Saturday morning and wonder how youʼre going to make it through the next 10 weeks of training (and if that $110 entry fee is
refundable).
2. Be accountable. Donʼt just think about your resolutions, write them down. Then theyʼre there, as a contract and agreement with yourself. Post them on the fridge, an even better idea if you have a weight-related resolution! Use friends and family for accountability as well. Come February or March, check in on each other to see how your resolutions are coming along.
3. Have a plan of attack. If youʼre resolving to quit smoking, youʼre going to run into severe temptation when youʼre out with friends who smoke. Choose to hang out with them at non-smoking establishments (aka - the entire city of Chicago), or have your response planned when they offer you a cigarette. And remember, your friends should want to support you.
4. Track your progress. Set certain benchmarks that will help you measure how far youʼve come since January 1st. Continual improvement is more probable when you can see the progress youʼve made and the difference between your old and new habits. Wanting to become less of a pack rat? Clean out your dresser first, then move on to the bathroom, then finally, the closet. Youʼll feel more and more organized and streamlined with each task you check off the
list.
5. Reward yourself. When your resolution becomes a reality, itʼs time to celebrate! Treat yourself at a restaurant youʼve been dying to visit with the money you saved by only going to Starbuckʼs 2 times a week instead of 5. After all, resolutions are never easy. And big accomplishments deserve a prize!
Donʼt be like many people and not set a resolution because youʼre afraid of failure. I think weʼve all learned that weʼre capable of doing things we thought were impossible for us. So decide on your resolution. Set a goal. Make a plan. And celebrate your accomplishments next December 31st. I will be celebrating by eating some candy as a reward. :)
Monday, January 17, 2011
We are the CHAMPIONS!
In case you haven't heard, Auburn won the BCS National Championship last week with a 22-19 victory over the Oregon Ducks! My family and I were lucky enough to be there, and we had an A-MAAAAA-ZING time! Here's a pic of me and two of my siblings, James and Allie, after the game. WAR DAMN EAGLE!
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