My day began a little later than usual with a 7:15 a.m. Pure Barre class. I met up with my friend Chandra and we both knocked out our 19th class of the month! We’re trying hard to complete the Pure Madness challenge at our studio this month and we’re so close. Only one more class to go tomorrow, baby! Nothing like finishing the 20-class challenge on the last possible day of the month, right!?
After barre, I stopped by the grocery store since I didn’t have to be at the gym for work until later this morning. I stocked up lots of food and fresh produce for the week before heading home to make scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast which I ate while typing up my morning blog post and snacking on two coconut power balls.
I made a double-batch of the power balls over the weekend by following a simple three-ingredient recipe found in my friend Cassey’s new book, Hot Body Year Round, which I received from Cassey late last week. (In a food processor, pulse together 1 c. walnuts and 5 dates. Roll into balls and coat with 1 tbsp. shredded coconut. Refrigerate for one hour.)
Cassey’s book features lots of healthy clean-eating recipes, workouts, meal plans and more. She works incredibly hard and has created a very successful brand (she’s the number one fitness instructor on YouTube!) and you can see a bunch of her tips for success in this post: How To Grow Your Blog and Make Money.
After breakfast and blogging, it was off to the gym where I worked for a few hours before heading home for a late lunch.
One I made it back home, I dug into the fridge and pantry and grabbed a bunch of different foods to throw together a quick chicken sausage skillet for lunch.
In the mix:
- Black Beans
- Seeds of Change Seven Whole Grains
- Corn
- Spinach
- Al Fresco Smoked Andouille Chicken Sausage
- Mushrooms
- Scallions
I made a double batch so I can bring the leftovers to work tomorrow for lunch. Cook once, eat twice!
Now I’m heading back to the gym to wrap up the work day.
Have a great Monday evening, my friends!
Holy yum that looks so so good! I certainly have my own little love affair with chicken sausage, it’s the best!
Natalie @ Never Serious Blog(Quote)
Mmm lunch looks yummy! And I love Cassey!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul(Quote)
I LOVE the sounds of coconut, but, I’m unsure if I would like dates. Do you know if there is anything else that you might be able to substitute into these?
Shannon(Quote)
Wow! OMG thank you so much for making the coconut power balls and for posting about my book. That is so sweet. Thank you Julie. That means so much to me 🙂
Cassey(Quote)
Mmmmm those Coconut Power Balls sound so good! I need to pick up some dates this weekend.
Annette Perkins (@FitnessPerks)(Quote)
Cook once eat twice…or five times when you cook a big roast. Definitely the most important part of healthy eating, have food at the ready! 🙂
Shel@PeachyPalate(Quote)
Thanks for sharing! I was actually going to make my own protein balls yesterday when I realized that the dried blueberries I had were over a year old and smelled like wine! I could have made any one of 216541684 other possible combinations, but I gave up and just ate dates haha.
Erin @ Erin’s Inside Job(Quote)
OMG, I absolutely adore Cassey! I recently started her Beginner’s Workout Calendar and it’s been great since I’m very new to Pilates. Her instructions are amazing and I love her energy. These Coconut Power Balls look amazing! I just got a new food processor (yay wedding registry) and made Almond Joy Energy Bites last night. They are delicious! I’ll have to try these next. 🙂
Molly D.(Quote)
Looks awesome! If only I could get my boyfriend on board with the texture of coconut…
Jenn @ Fairest Run of All(Quote)
I recently decided that coconut is a good thing, so I am pretty excited to try those! Happy Monday!
Jen(Quote)
I need some barre in my life, it’s been too long! Nice job on getting so close to your challenge goal, Julie! 🙂
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West(Quote)
Al Fresco chicken sausage is such a great standby – it’s versatile, it can go in eggs or with rice/potatoes/veggies, and it’s handy to have in the fridge! Another great option is Bilinski’s – you might like some of their cool flavors (like apple champagne chicken sausage).
Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl(Quote)
those look so simple and yummy!
kristin | W [H] A T C H(Quote)
These look delicious. I created something similar and hope to on my blog soon. Also chicken sausage is the best!
Ashley @ sweet carolina belle(Quote)
First you mention Amber, now Cassey–I love both of them! I pre-ordered her book the day she announced it, so jealous you already have a copy!
Terri(Quote)
Love these balls! And that looks like a yummy lunch! Hope your afternoon at the gym went well!
Carrie(Quote)
I have actually never eaten chicken sausage but have come across it twice today on two different blogs. I better try it because it must be pretty darn good 🙂
Rachel @ Blonde with a Chanse(Quote)
Yum! Both of those recipes look so tasty!
Amanda B @ Cupcakes & Miles(Quote)
Yum! Those coconut balls look great! And easy enough that I don’t have an excuse not to try them!
Katey V.(Quote)
Hi Julie! When you say you are going back to the gym to work, what kind of work are you doing? Teaching more classes, personal training? I have always wondered! Thanks for taking the time to read this 🙂
Kim(Quote)
Helping around the gym (answering the phone/ memeber questions, getting towels, planning group ex classes/gym events) helping with training, etc. 🙂
Julie(Quote)
What brand of chicken sausage do you use, Julie?
Sarah @ RunningChickago.com(Quote)
This is Al Fresco! I love it!
Julie(Quote)
This may be random but I’m taking my first Barre class and am simultaneously excited and nervous for it. I’m excited for the workout but nervous because I feel like I am gonna stand out amongst all of the fitter women in cute Barre workout clothing. I don’t wear tank tops because I don;t like my arms and have no idea what to wear. Help!
Melanie(Quote)
Hi Melanie!! Please, please don’t worry! You can absolutely wear a t-shirt, long-sleeved shirt or a pullover if you want! Everyone at my studio definitely does NOT wear a tank top to class!
Julie(Quote)
I am loving the Al Fresco Chicken Sausage! I just tried them a couple weeks ago. I have tried the Roasted Garlic & Sundried Tomato so far. The Coconut Power Balls look amazing. I need to get a food processor.
Stephanie(Quote)
These sound so good! I love walnuts and dates 🙂
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen(Quote)
Cassey sounds really like such an awesome person! Glad to see she is doing a book now too. The balls sound delicious!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment(Quote)