Chocolate Espresso Almond Bites

I survive the weeks at times, taking it day by day and not looking at my weekly calendar. If I look at all that needs to be accomplished for the week on Sunday nights or Monday mornings, my week starts on the wrong foot instantly. Instead, there are weeks that I delegate certain tasks for certain days, and try not to freak out if Monday’s tasks aren’t all finished by the end of the day.

This has been especially helpful with the moving process. We have a busy summer and a busy next couple of months. In the back of my head I know this, but I try not to repeatedly look at the calendar at the upcoming weeks, because it only begins to overwhelm me. I think “There’s no way I can possibly finish all of this by the end of May.” Picking certain tasks to be done on certain days and only looking at that day, occasionally the next few days, has helped ease my stress and has helped me be more productive.

The first important task to me, is meal planning. Knowing what I am going to make for the week, allows me not to have to make last minute stops at the grocery store, that are never quick with a toddler, and is one last thing to stress about. I know what days will be busier (leftovers anyone?) and what days I will have more time to prepare meals. I use Sunday as a day to prepare any snacks that will make life easier throughout the week. That’s where protein bites / healthy bites come into play.

There are days I even need a caffeine jolt. I don’t do caffeine everyday, because I have never relied on it to keep me awake and sane, that’s running’s job 😉 I do have my occasional yerba matte’s or matcha green tea lattes (homemade), but it’s rarely for the caffeine it provides. But every once in awhile, I don’t mind a coffee taste. To me coffee tastes better baked into treats, covered in chocolate, or in recipes. That was the reason behind these Chocolate Espresso Almond Bites.

These give a caffeine kick and coffee taste when I need it, but were more created for my hubby. My husband loves this recipe for bites, because he loves coffee. Really it seems you can’t go wrong with healthy bites and can use so many different variations or combinations. I don’t even like coffee, but I love the taste of these. Maybe it’s the protein I get from them, with the crunch I sometimes crave.

And of course I had to add in some chocolate, because I find the coffee flavor with chocolate and almond butter is tasty!!  Again, you can skip the protein powder, but I find that adding in additional protein helps to give them more punch for post work out. I use a plant based protein, that blends hemp, pea and rice protein together. Chocolate flavored protein powder is my favorite for this recipe.

The Almond Butter is from Wild Friends. I use their Vanilla Espresso Almond Butter. You can also find it on VitaCost or other online retailers, and in most stores as well. I love to add hemp seeds for their source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. These are great for fueling my runs or day, and great for a healthy snack for post workout or for whenever I need a caffeine jolt. R even eats these, and she tries to do so in one bite, which is mouthful for a toddler.

Chocolate Espresso Almond Bites, caffeine jolt for mid-day with protein for post run #fitfluential #healthybites Share on X

A few simple ingredients and 10-15 minutes and you can already have a week’s worth of snacks finished. Sometimes simplicity is best, especially when it comes to cooking during chaotic seasons in life. And there’s no added sugar unless you add the honey, which I don’t think is necessary. I add it sometimes, while other times I don’t. Easily made vegan without the honey.

Happy Monday Folks!!

Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit

How do you survive Mondays?