Chia Cookies and Eating Better

Man, am I coming off of bad food weekend. With me finally being done my physical therapy to fix my overused feet muscles, I'm easing slowly into more miles. This means my appetite is creeping on back up and I'm feeling it. With special events this weekend and being a cranky mood for most of it as well, I haven't eaten the best (think ribs, BBQ brisket, too much candy from work, frozen margaritas, chips, lack of vegetables and fruit...gross!). I woke up feeling gross and ready to recalibrate my eating.

I went to yoga today and the yogi started the practice by saying that we should focus on what we plan to take from the session. One thing I took from the practice today was that when I pushed myself and focused, I was capable of much more than I thought I could. As I walked back from yoga in my calm, relaxed stupor, I thought about how that could translate to my eating. Last week's not great eating came partially from not focusing on doing the best for my body, as well as not preparing healthy foods to have around me. I am going to focus on that this week and hope my yoga strength carries over.

To start off the week with a bang, I made an adaptation of PeaSoupEat's Chia Cookies, (which was adapted from Vegetarian Times).

Chia Cookies
Servings: approximately 11 cookies (1 Tablespoon each)

• 1 cup dates (pits removed or you'll break your food processor)
• 1/8 c chia seeds
• 2 Tb cocoa powder
• 1/4 c raw whole almonds
• 1/4 - 1/2 c slivered almonds (sliced almonds would actually be better, but I didn't have them)
• 1/4 t vanilla extract

1. Put dates into food processor and process until it turns into a paste. 
2. Next, add the chia seeds, cocoa powder, and whole almonds and process until all mixed and combined. 
3. Add in the slivered almonds (my processor only held the 1/4 c of these, but a larger one could hold 1/2 c) and vanilla and process until they are incorporated into the mix. 
4. Measure out dough into one tablespoon servings and place onto a plate.
5. Refrigerate until firmer and portion out into serving sizes of your liking. 
6. Enjoy!!!

Not only was this easy to make, it was delicious!

These turned out so amazingly delicious. They were, in my opinion, a tastier Lara Bar. They're great for you, yummy, and a perfect snack to tide me over at work. Not only are they delicious, they are really quite good for you.  I did a bit of a nutritional analyzation of them and I can't wait to snack on them all week. Even if I eat two servings, it is a nutritional and filling snack. 

I am happy to be kick-starting the week with a good attitude and a determination to take my healthy eating more seriously. I picked up a ton of veggies from Reading Terminal Market and am prepping meals that I can eat throughout the week (including Oh She Glows' Wheat Berry and Bean Salad, which is to die for). With my 24 hour race less than 3 weeks away, I'm steadily training physically, but not fueling myself like I should all the time. It'll be a test of my will, but I am determined. 

Super healthy! :D

I also plan on writing everything I eat down and planning out my workouts for each week. I normally plan my workouts, but I don't ever write down my eating. I'd plan out any other challenge in life, so why not my eating? This blog post is also part of the push for me. This is all very personal and honestly, kind of embarrassing, so making this public will definitely push me. On that note, a healthy and veggie-filled dinner needs to be cooked. :D