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If you grew up watching The Land Before Time, you might recall Ducky’s warning: “Don’t step on the crack or else you’ll fall and break your back!” I certainly stepped on more than my share of cracks growing up.
Last week I was vacuuming—yes, vacuuming—when that familiar sensation returned: my back started to hurt. A small motion while tidying the house put everything out of alignment, and suddenly I was laid up and not feeling great.
I’m someone who’s typically on the move. Being forced to slow down felt strange at first, almost like a punishment, but it was the rest my body needed. I reluctantly accepted it and let myself relax. Sometimes our bodies need a little shove—pain included—to remind us to rest.
Injury and discomfort have a way of making me appreciate movement more. When I can’t move freely, I notice how much better I feel when I can: the mental calm, the energy boost, and the simple joy of activity. During that week of limited movement I tried a short walk but had to hobble back home. Each day I regained a tiny bit more mobility and felt incrementally less pain.
Returning to my yoga mat required honesty and patience. I kept reminding myself to do only what felt safe and not push too hard—one week on the heating pad was enough. By the end of the week things began to open up and move more easily. Slowly but surely I was back. It was a good reminder of how lucky I am to be able to move and how refreshing something as basic as a walk can be. Often it’s the small things that remind us of what truly matters.
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Speaking of simple pleasures, the kitchen should be a place of ease. My food processor is one of those small appliances that makes day-to-day cooking so much smoother. I use it several times a week, and when a piece of the lid cracked and I had to wait for a replacement from the manufacturer, I realized just how integral it is to my routine. I survived the temporary loss, but I missed it.
Energy bites are a constant in our house. These blueberry lemon energy bites have become a favorite—especially with my husband. They disappear fast. They’re one of the easiest treats to make: toss the ingredients in the food processor, form into balls, and you’re done. They’re bright, refreshing, and perfect for summer. Sweetened only with medjool dates and made with just a handful of ingredients, these bites are a reliable snack and hearty enough to count as breakfast on the go.
If you love the blueberry-and-lemon pairing as much as I do, try my Blueberry Lemon Coconut Overnight Oats, Blueberry Lemon Oatmeal Pancake Muffins, or a Blueberry Lemon Chia Jam—yes, I’m obsessed with that combo!
Blueberry Lemon Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 c raw cashews
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 8-10 medjool dates, pitted
- 1/4 c dried blueberries
- Dash of sea salt
Instructions
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Process the cashews in a food processor until they resemble fine crumbs.
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Add the lemon zest, dates, vanilla, and a pinch of sea salt. Process until the mixture starts to come together into a dough.
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Stir in the dried blueberries by hand.
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Roll the mixture into bite-sized balls.
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Chill for 15–25 minutes to set.
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Enjoy!
Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question?Leave a comment below!
