My Whole30 is over, but not really. I never thought I’d say this, but I think it changed my life.
I was hesitant about this whole Whole30 fad. All those restrictions. Life is too short. But in a push to take back control of my life and my body, I gave it a go and fell in love.
Yes, it’s restrictive, but it also opened me up to new meals, ideas, and foods I used to love but thought weren’t healthy. It showed me how important protein is and how fun it is to cook new and exciting meals.
I didn’t get bored, well, except now, as I take reintroduction very slowly and am nearing a Whole60. With Thrive Market and Barefoot Provisions having tons of Whole30 approved products, my pantry is stocked, and that is the only way to survive on this program. By the way that isn’t a paid advertisement, but I totally wish it was.
I feel better. So does Mom. I actually think Mom got even more out of this than me. And she was way more hesitant than me.
When it came to reintroduction, legumes and dairy couldn’t have gone better, but things were more problematic with grains of all kinds.
Mom had been struggling with debilitating back pain that just went away during the Whole30 without either of us really noticing. A few rice cakes for breakfast and it was back with a vengeance. Gluten bothered her stomach and all the grains left both of us feeling bloated and not our Whole30 best.
Because flukes happen, we’re going to give it another go after having been back on the full plan for almost a week.
People don’t realize how powerful food is. It heals and hurts so much more than we know and by doing a Whole30 it shines a light on that. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to eating how I was before and that’s okay with me.
Partly because real food is tasty. Just look at these Hemp and Chia Bliss Balls. Bob’s Red Mill sent me some Hemp Hearts awhile back and though I was suspicious at first, I have really grown to love them.
Here the hemp hearts partner with chia seeds, warm spices, sweet dates, rich carob powder, and the new love of my life: coconut oil for a decadent treat that is packed with nutrition. These Bliss Balls are healthy, gluten free, and vegan. Forget brownies (well, maybe not forever) and pass the Bliss Balls.
Hemp and Chia Bliss Balls
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 balls 1x
Ingredients
- ¾ cup almond meal
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- ½ cup dates, softened in hot water
- 2 tablespoons carob powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 tablespoons hemp hearts
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 3–5 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- Additional cinnamon, carob, hemp hearts, and chia seeds for rolling
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the almond, meal, coconut flour, carob powder, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, hemp hearts, and chia seeds. Stir to combine. Add the dates, draining off most of the water, and 3 tablespoons of coconut oil.
- Combine the mixture, using your hands to break down the dates and form everything into a Play-Doh like concoction. If the mixture is too dry, add more coconut oil until it comes together.
- Form the mixture into about ping pong sized balls. Roll each ball in your desired toppings. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. These are amazing cold!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
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