Recent Eats & Movement {Pockets of Joy}

Hey you guys, how are you? Loaded question, innit? I’ll be honest, I’m not at my most joyful this past week. And in the past, I would definitely try to force it because I thought sustained joy was synonymous with wellness, and if I was sad then something was wrong. I’ve come to learn, though, that true wellness is letting yourself feel every emotion so that you can process it and move past it. Negative emotions are not something to fix or stuff away, and as my favorite source of wisdom put it, “Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it.”

So I’m taking a bit more care of myself lately and tending to the tender parts. I hope if you are also in a bit of a vulnerable place, you are giving yourself the grace to feel. it. all. And in case you need this little reminder (if you struggle with anxiety or intrusive thoughts like I do), here is something I posted on Instagram that gave me instant relief to write out.

But!

Dumbledore also says, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

Because of course, there is always light to be found. There are always little pockets of joy that are there for you if you just choose to notice them.

And in addition to sweet conversations, uplifting movies, and great music, some good eats and fun movement have definitely brought that joy to me this past week. So let’s jump in, yeah?

Eats

Banana Bread Freezer Cookies

I made these on a whim after seeing that Instagram post because I love having some dessert stashed away in the freezer for emergencies (an emergency is when I want something sweet STAT and either do not have the tools or the motivation to make something at that moment, so I end up sadly eating some chocolate chips and calling it a sad day — LOL a tad melodramatic, but who can relate!)

These are so so good. I decided to make them more cookie than ball-shaped, and while Samah instructs to roll them in chocolate, I halved the melted chocolate amount and kind of just plopped a teaspoon-full over top of each cookie so it made a nice little shell. That way, there’s some chocolatey parts and some non-chocolatey parts. But if you’re an all chocolate kinda person, roll away!

They taste almost ice cream-like straight from the freezer, and trust me, you won’t be able to tell that they’re sweetened with just a banana and are, like, super nutritious. That’s my kinda dessert!

 

Okonomiyaki with Sesame Garlic Broccoli

This recipe has been on my to-make list for probably two months, and the moment I tasted it, I knew things would never be the same. Again, dramatic, but I’m serious! I’m normally very un-experimental when it comes to foods from ethnic cuisines, and though this is definitely not quite an authentic recipe, I was still very hesitant to deviate from my normal.

I am so SO happy I did though. This was incredible, and I know it will become a new staple. Okonomiyaki are basically Japanese cabbage scallion pancakes that are more like veggie fritters or latkes than actual pancakes. They are incredibly easy and quick to make if you buy pre-shredded cabbage (I have discovered shredding cabbage is a significantly more annoying process than I had imagined). I used almond flour, but you can use most kinds of flour you have on hand, and I decided to pair them with sesame broccoli because that felt like a good combo, and IT WAS! Trust me, don’t sleep on this one.

 

My Favorite Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

My OG fave banana bread. I make this one with spelt flour and always with chocolate chips. Obviously. Also I find the four bananas make it plenty sweet enough, so I always replace the maple syrup with some almond milk.

 

Dark Chocolate Kodiak Cakes with Banana

I don’t know if I’ve ever shared about these, but I LOVE THIS MIX. I’m normally a from-scratch girl, as you know, but I make an exception for Kodiak Cakes. They are the only protein pancake that does not taste like a protein pancake, and they are just genuinely insanely delicious. I always mix in a chopped banana and a bit of vanilla extract, and to serve, I top them with peanut butter and maple syrup. *Chef’s kiss*

 

Chicken Nuggets with Guacamole

This was SUCH a satisfying dinner. I’ve shared about this guac recipe before (my all-time fave), but this was my first time making chicken nuggets, and it will definitely not be the last. So easy, so delicious, and actually good for you. I made an easy honey mustard sauce to go with them by just mixing a big spoonful dijon mustard, a small spoonful raw honey, some water to thin it out a bit, and some garlic salt. Basically just eyeball it. Trust me, this will be the best “fast food” you’ve ever made at home.

 

Movement

If your heart is feeling tender, do this yoga routine (fair warning: it might make you plop down on your butt and cry in the middle of a downward dog; this is fine.)

This 30 minute hiit & total body toning workout for a quick sweat sesh that packs a punch

This quick 17 minute hiit + this 8 minute thigh routine + this 10 minute booty shaper

30 minute solo dance partay + 20 minute ab routine (such a cathartic combo)

This 25 minute hiit workout + this 27 minute yoga for courage (don’t usually pair hiit and yoga, but that’s what my body was craving)

 

And that’s all for me today, loves. Take care of your hearts, and keep finding the joy. Sending love <3