If you read my last two posts, you’ll know that there has been a very important and life changing thing going on in my life at this time. It’s hard to string into words the emotions that have been swirling around this house for the past few months, but it is nearly impossible to convey. Suffice it to say, there have been many tears, arguments, tense moments, quiet thought, introspection, discussion, belly laughs with friends, changes in routine, diet, habits…there have been ups and downs and everything in between. But this family is stronger than ever now and we only have each other to thank.
It’s hard when you are used to telling the whole world what’s going in your life. When something comes up in that life that seems too important to share, too intimate to show to everyone and anyone, then everything comes to a stand still. What could I possibly say here that would not share our secrets, air our dirty laundry for all the people to see? I felt empty. I couldn’t sit at this keyboard and write anything, say anything without thinking I was saying too much. If I share our lives at this tender time, will it make things worse? Will it be therapy?
Instead we chose to keep to ourselves, to only talk to our close friends and family. We started a round of therapy together. Yes, I admit it. Something so many people refuse to admit, but I will tell everyone. Talking to someone as impartial as a counselor can do wonders for your lives, and those that share it with you. We chose to work hard at this life, this marriage, these kids, this family. We’ve been through a lot, but we’ve come out the other side and things are looking pretty bright.
I don’t think I hid much in my last posts. If you could read between the lines, you could probably see it for what it really was. A struggle. A voicing of what had been left unsaid for so long. This blog has been my therapy for so many years, and continues to expand my life in so many ways. I’m so thankful for all those of you who have stuck with me through the first struggles and these new and fresh wounds too.
On this day of resurrection (for those that are religious), I find myself in a similar situation. I like to see it like the mighty phoenix rising up from the ashes. There is beauty in loss and destruction, but we have to see it for what it is. If we go through life’s lessons and hardest moments without growing than what kind of people are we? We must expand our minds, refresh our attitudes, bring new and fresh breath into each moment of every day because when we don’t do these things, life becomes stagnant, dreary and boring. Change is what keeps us alive, keeps each day exciting.
I can’t predict the future or pretend that I know what it holds for us, but I can think that working hard and doing whatever we can has brought us this far already. It reminds me of a ritual not many have seen in the wild. I’ll share it here for those of you who have not. Bald Eagles, when courting, have an amazing aerial display of locking talons and falling almost to the ground where they split apart at the very last second. It is a beautiful and poignant metaphor for me.
One year ago: Halibut Cakes
Two years ago: Meat Lasagna
Chocolate Chia Energy BallsIngredients
- 6 pitted large medjool dates
- 1/4 agave nectar or honey
- 3 tbsp chia seeds, ground
- 1/4 cup hemp hearts
- 1/3 cup (1 scoop) Chocolate Vega One Protein Powder
- 3 tbsp dried blueberries, chopped
- 1/2 cup crunchy natural peanut butter
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of sea salt
- 2 tbsp cacao nibs
- 1/2 cop rolled oats
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, blend all the ingredients except the cacao nibs and oats. Make sure the paste is evenly mixed and all the blueberries are chopped up.
- Remove from bowl and scrape into a new bowl or out onto a clean and dry surface.
- Add the cacao nibs and oats and knead into the dough to evenly combine.
- Scoop out a Tbsp size amount and roll into balls.
- Refrigerate and store in layers separated by waxed paper. Keeps up to two weeks.
All Rights Reserved. Copyright Guilty Kitchen 2014
Similarly delicious recipes from other fabulous food blogs:
Vanilla Goji Nut Balls from FitFluential
All Natural Energy Balls from Breakfast to Bed
Almond Carrot Bodyrock Balls from Running to the Kitchen
Chia Pudding from Healthy Green Kitchen
Chia Hempseed Buckwheat Cereal from Pure2Raw
Thrilled to see you back Liz, and sorry to hear of the troubles. It’s so hard to be a grownup sometimes! I feel your pain in my own similar/disimilar way and more power to you for finding a way that works for you to get through it all, one way or the other. I’m a big believer and client of therapy and whatever keeps us above water is what counts.
Re: your energy balls, I’ve become obsessed with them. I have tried so many variations looking for a favorite to stick with. You’re my workout idol and these should help through the newest challenge, whatever they may be. Finally, one without coconut! Chia and protein powders have become a new fetish and thanks for including cals and fat content 🙂
Good Thoughts Coming Your Way!
I have learned so much in the last two months Elizabeth. They has been the hardest and the best months of my life.
Thank you Elizabeth. Thank you for everything.
Things of course aren’t 100% however we are going in a great direction together. I love you more now and with more clearly than I ever have before. You have shown me a side of myself I didn’t know existed because of this journey.
The future is so exciting but right now is amazing.
I love you truly for the first time ever Elizabeth.
Nothing in life that truly holds a purpose for us comes without a struggle. Understanding what that purpose is and making the determination whether or not to achieve it is one of the most difficult discernment processes you will go through and then there is the journey. Achieving our *wants* in life are easy. It is our *needs* that are the more elusive yet unto themselves are our reward.
Happy to see that you are continuing your journey and wishing you continued success with it.
Paula recently posted..Easter Cake and New Beginnings
i’m sorry about your problems 🙁 what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger!
and these look awesome
Your ability to write is so beautiful and inspiring. I love reading your posts, and I wish you the most healing and awakening journey possible.
Jackie @ Domestic Fits recently posted..Comment on Shitake Mushroom & Chipotle Grilled Cheese & A Chipotle Round Up by cassie
Bravo girlfriend. No, you don’t know me, but I am your sister and the words you write go deep into my core and touch my heart. I feel you because you are me. I opened the post for the Chocolate Chia recipe and I got so much more. You give me strength and hope and make me cry and smile all at the same time. I pray you will find your way back to who you truly are. She is in there. I will travel along side you as I discover me as well.
God Bless……..
Relationships are hard and require constant attention and work, no different than trying to raise a child, which is a lifelong commitment. Just because you love someone doesn’t mean that you ever stop trying to mesh as a couple, and at the same time maintaining your independence as an individual within the couple dynamic.
The pursuit of perfection in life is an admirable goal and IS the journey of life. However, one never wants to actually achieve perfection since that indicates that the journey has come to an end.
Life is hard and finding someone who loves you, cares deeply about your happiness and is your friend as well, makes the journey just that bit easier!
I am so glad you have found that step up to another level of maturity within your relationship. Welcome to adulthood!
First, I have to say I am so glad your family is well. I think you probably know this but there are SO many in your same shoes. Speaking of the resurrection, take solice in knowing that there is someone on the other team fighting each day to destroy what is so important, which is the family. It is a battlefield each day and you are strong and so am I and you give hope to those still fighting the good fight! oh and great blog, it helps me feels more inspired. And your family is beautiful!
I am getting interested about this Chocolate Chia Energy Balls and I am sure my kids would love this too.. I hope I can make this easier..
This is really interesting, thanks for sharing with us this delicious recipe…
That looks good and healthy. I would love to try that out. Thanks for sharing anyways. Very well appreciated.
Hi Elizabeth, I feel like I’m walking into a conversation and I apologize for that. On a quest to connect with bloggers closer to home, I found you via the Food Bloggers of Canada. Though I am just meeting you, your message here is very powerful. When I’m not cooking I am a crisis worker and I know first hand the power of reaching out – not just for others but for myself as I believe support is important for us all. I love what I see of your blog and look forward to following and getting to know you!
Cheers from Vancouver Island
Lyndsay Wells recently posted..How to Host a Gluten Free Dinner Party – Monday meet the Experts
I was overdue for a site visit. I see lots has happened since our beer tasting 1.0. I understand now what you guys meant when you told us you went through some life changes. It might be in the water or the air but it’s sure a common theme. Similar questions have been asked at this house too. We call it our oil changes – it’s dirty and no one wants to do it but in the end it’s always better.
Loving the new healthy recipes.
Love the beautiful wood cutting board also! 😉
Great to see you on Friday.
Yummy yet healthy. Thanks for sharing the ingredients and the procedure on how to make this little balls.
This might be the best recipe I have ever seen in my life!!! I am obsessed with the Vega Chocolate peak performance protein shake and now I can’t wait to make these!
Thanks!
Aisha
VictoriaMomNow.com
Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to mention that I’ve really loved browsing your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing on your feed and I hope you write once more soon!
These energy balls look like aphrodisiacs of a Sultan’s kitchen. I will definitely try the recipe.
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