Re-Energizing Bliss Bites

Stress. Ugh. It seems like it just keeps getting bigger and bigger as this year goes on. I don't know how your year has been but 2016 has been a really weird one for me. How do you de-stress? In all honesty, when I hit my limit I eat junk, lots of chocolate, cry, swear a lot, cry some more and lose it. I would like to say that I get all meditational but I often don't. Not until I'm really over my limit and breakdown. Like this last week. Finally I hit myself over the head and said, if you eat better, re-hydrate, do some deep breathing and take a yoga class you will feel so much better Melissa! So that's what I'm working on this week. Baby steps.

Let's just talk about stress for a moment. There are 3 stages of stress:

1. The Alarm Reaction is the ‘fight or flight’ response.
   The adrenal glands are summoned into action which releases a flood of hormones into the blood stream. This gives you a sudden surge of energy. Once the ‘danger’ passes your body should calm down and return to its normal relaxed state.
2. In the Resistance Stage the body prepares itself for an extended ‘fight’ and the adrenal glands will use stored nutrients to produce hormones. This state will quickly deplete our precious reserves, exhaust the body and free radicals begin to increase and do damage.
3. The Exhaustion Stage is the final serious state of continued stress. There are no more reserves to draw from. The adrenal glands are exhausted and a domino effect begins as other glands that are unable to keep up each begin to tire one by one.

When the body is under any kind of stress, it uses up nutrients much more quickly, such as zinc, B vitamins, Vitamin C and protein. Include foods high in these nutrients in your diet when you are under stress. 

Because continual stress weakens the adrenal glands you can begin to feel increased tiredness and have more illnesses, infections and allergies. To support the adrenal glands, feed them foods like sea greens and green drinks. Fatty acids also support the nervous system and the brain and they are found in eggs, fresh fish and seafood, nuts, seeds and their oils.
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In prolonged periods of chronic stress, the adrenals will no longer be able to raise blood sugar for energy and then hypoglycemia may result. It is important then, to eat more frequent meals with protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats throughout the day.

Since I am in need of some serious adrenal support and energy, I whipped up a batch of these re-energizing bliss bites. They are seriously easy and quick to make. Great for snacking when on the run (like I have been this last month-literally on the run chasing after my dog).

Key ingredients:

Himalayan Pink Salt: This stuff is amazing! When you have a craving for salt, what you are actually having is a craving for missing minerals. When you eat himalayan pink salt you can help fulfill mineral deficiencies which in turn helps support the adrenals (which helps control stress!) Did you know that in himalayan pink salt you get all your 84 essential trace minerals?! Did you also know that table salt (iodized salt) is the bad salt?! Most people think salt is not good for us but the real, true sea salt is so essential for our bodies. During the refining process, iodized salt is stripped of the good minerals and the natural mineral structure is altered. Not himalayan pink salt though!
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Maca: Maca, a member of the brassica family, is an adaptogenic root from the Andes Mountains. It is a  natural energy, mood and hormone stabilizer. It helps to correct hormonal imbalances in the brain. It is rich in minerals and can also be very helpful in promoting fertility in women and men!

Hemp Seeds: Rich in protein and omega fatty acids, these little wonders do wonders for the body! They are a complete protein and the omega helps support the nervous system and brain.

Dates: I eat a lot of dates because they are so rich in minerals and such an amazing source of carbohydrate. They are incredibly sweet and have a beautiful complex flavour that satisfies my sweet tooth. They are also an excellent source of dietary fibre.

Walnuts: As we can't make omega 3 fatty acids, we have to get them from our diet. And what better way than with walnuts?! Helpful for stress as they support our nervous system.

Re-Energizing Bliss Bites
Makes 24 bites
Vegan, Gluten Free, Sugar Free

Ingredients:
-1.5 cups soft, fresh dates
-1/2 cup chopped walnuts
-1tbsp + 1tsp hemp seeds
-1/2tsp maca
-2tsp coconut oil
-1/4tsp cinnamon
-pinch of himalayan pink salt
-toppings to roll dates in (I used shredded unsweetened coconut and cacao nibs but you can use anything!-sesame seeds, chia seeds, toasted nuts-have fun with it!)

Directions:
1.Pit dates. Pulse in food processor until they become a sticky paste. 
2.Pulse in walnuts 
3.Add hemp seeds, maca, coconut oil, cinnamon and salt.
4.Pulse all ingredients until you get a consistency that you can stick together. Sometimes I have to add a few more dates, sometimes more nuts or coconut oil.
5.Roll into balls (about 1tsp for a ball). Roll balls in desired toppings, or leave topping free.


Love and Light,

​Melissa xo