Just Starting Out

School has just started and already I am bombarded by activities, playdates, fundraisers, homework, sign up for this, new shoes needed for that, hockey try-outs, birthday parties, new books for piano lessons.......just thinking about it all makes my head spin. I guess that's life with 3 kids enrolled in all kinds of extra curricular activities.  We've gone from the carefree lazy days of summer to full blown craziness at our house.  I really do enjoy all of their activities and will be on the sidelines cheering them on at every game they play.    Whether it is football, hockey, soccer,  playing the piano, or concentrating on their school work, I really believe that in order to perform at the best of their ability kids need to be fueled properly.  I think of food as fuel for our bodies..... we can choose to put regular fuel into our tanks and perform adequately (or not), or we can fuel ourselves with premium, high quality, nutrient dense foods and feel and perform great.  Over the summer I did a lot of research and attended seminars that discussed this very topic.  Brian (my husband) and I have decided we want to make it a priority to fuel ourselves and our kids with premium fuel.  We began slowly changing our own diets in the spring and are gradually changing our kids diets as well (not an easy task with an 8 year old who loves sweets.)  Will is our middle child who is very active to say the least.  He just made the football team (yes there is football for 8 year olds!) , he'll be playing Novice Hockey , indoor soccer and learning to play guitar.  He is my guinea pig when it comes to trying out my new concoctions in the kitchen.  When I make a batch  of "energy balls" they'll have to get "Will approved" before they make it as a staple in our house.  I like to fuel him up properly because I can tell when he is running out of energy either on the field, on the ice or on the playground.  There have been days that I pick him up at school and he is in tears and doesn't know why he is crying and feeling so awful.  I know it is because his mind and body are in need of nourishment.  He doesn't like to take the time to eat some mornings... and this becomes a bit of a battle.  He is slowly learning that in order to feel good and have that extra energy he needs to eat properly.  Yesterday before football practice he actually asked "Mom where are those  energy things you made?"  Progress!!!  He is learning.   The energy balls consisted of nothing more than a few key ingredients ground together and shaped into little balls, easy for kids to grab and throw in their mouths.  Here is the new "Will approved"  energy bursts (as he calls them).
1 cup of cashews (his favorite nuts)  - Throw them in the food processor and grind
10 dates ( I soaked them for a few minutes in hot water to soften)
1 Tbsp coconut oil at room T

Grind all together and shape into little balls - Roll in a bit of dark cacao powder or coconut.

Will takes a couple and eats for quick energy before a game or practice...Wonderful!

Lori