little pods of energy

This week has turned into a frenzy of to-do lists! With our housewarming on Sunday at the top of the priority list.

Yesterday was my momma’s birthday so I met her at work and took her out to lunch, then I stopped off and visited Adam at work before coming home. We also went down to the states for a quick shop, although we only ended up buying groceries and gas. It was a major bust for home decor and clothing this time. I mentioned before that It’s my Nonna’s 75th birthday Friday night, and during the afternoon friday I’m going to help out at the elementary school where I did my practicum. I also have to bake a cake and cupcakes Friday morning for the baby shower Saturday. I’m also beginning baseball tonight, and a game tomorrow, as well as a tournament all weekend which I’m most likely having to miss because of the amount of stuff going on.

Yup, this is one very busy week.

Monday I drank about 10 cups of green tea, and then was up all night. I hadn’t realized why until the next day when I remembered all the green tea. As a person who never drinks coffee (read: I hate coffee), and rarely drinks tea (on occasion) I had a large amount of caffeine on Monday that kept me up at 4 am. Adam was none too thrilled since he had to be up at 5:30 for work.

Woops.

I’m usually a water person, maybe with some lemon. I probably haven’t drank pop (american friends, thats ‘soda’) in forever, and I rarely drink juice except maybe some orange juice mixed with water. However, maybe this week I’m in need of a little caffeine to keep me going.

The to-do list thus far:

• paint
• organize
• clean, clean and clean
• bake cupcakes for baby shower
• bake for housewarming
• baseball x 2
• headboard (hopefully finish re-doing it)
• guest room
• office
• help at elementary school event
• nonna’s birthday party

Yea, caffeine is needed.

I’ve made something similar to this a while ago here and here after seeing posts for protein balls, cookie dough balls etc. such as Fitnessista’s Amazeballs 

These are great to snack on before or after the gym, and with baseball starting again they’d be great to throw in your bag for some energy before the game. 

Since I have a wheat and dairy allergy I had bought some Vegan Protein that contained vegetarian proteins instead of whey.

Adam had tried it but didn’t like the taste of it mixed in his drink, but in these protein pods you can’t taste it at all. So, it’s a win-win.

I had some leftover toasted coconut from cupcakes and though they’d add some flavour without adding any sugar.

Just throw it all in a food processor and mix it up. I scooped them out with a ice-cream scoop and stored them in a container. Keep refrigerated so they hold their shape.

Protein Pods

• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut (toasted, or un-toasted)
• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup almond meal
• 7-8 medjool dates, pit removed
• 1-2 scoops protein powder of your choice

In a food processor pulse the oats and almond meal until combined, should be pretty fine powder.

Add the coconut, dates, and protein powder. You can add a dash of cinnamon for antioxidants as well.

Turn food processor on and mix until dough begins to form, it should begin to clump together slightly.

If you find it is too dry, you can add more dates, or even a tablespoon of nut butter (almond, peanut, even sunbutter)

Using an ice cream scoop, or even a tablespoon form balls or ‘pods.’ Store in an airtight contain in the fridge for up to a week.

Add ins:

• Nut butter
• chocolate chips
• cinnamon
• dried fruit
• cashews (add with almond meal and oats)

Pulse oats and almond meal

Add dates, coconut and protein powder

Pulse again until dough forms.   
 
Shape into pods or balls – refrigerate.