Power Protein Balls | Why Waking Up With The Sun Rules

I don't know about you guys, but the first thing I want after a long trail run is all the food. My running trail is right near Starbucks so I typically just grab an Americano to go and call it a day. Lately, when I've been running I've been feeling like I really need a strong source of protein after so I came up with this fun recipe that people of all ages will love! It's super easy to make to and you don't need very many ingredients. The Power Protein Balls have a good amount of carbs, healthy fats, and 22 grams of protein to fuel your body properly after your run or whatever activity you're doing. These Power Protein Balls also work as a great quick breakfast option and are awesome as a pre-workout snack. The best part about the Power Protein Balls though is that they are super easy to make and don't require an oven of any kind! 

I went to a retreat a few weeks ago and I've made it my mission to wake up with the sun. I want to be one of those people that can go around saying, "I wake up at sunrise!" I truly believe that waking up with the sun and starting my day with some coffee and yoga makes all the difference in the world. I also feel like I get ten times more things done and can power through my day like a badass! Now, keep in mind that this is coming from someone who has a terrible habit of staying up all night working and going to bed at 4 am. Some say it's because my Mom had me at night at 8:30 pm and astrologers believe that mean that I would be considered a night owl. Astrologers believe that the few hours after the time you were born is when you are in your most productive state. Well, that may be great for some people, but I want to start my day off with a bang and watch the sun come up in the back yard while my dogs run around to play. If you think about it, dogs have amazing energy. Roxy can literally wake up from a deep sleep and if I call her name, she ready to take the day. So I guess what I'm really saying is that I want to be more like my dogs. I'm laughing at myself as I write this, but dogs are alway ready to go. And really, who doesn't want to be more like their dogs? So by having these Power Protein Balls prepped each week, I can have a breakfast and post-run option that's easy to grab, and I'll be saving money on my Starbucks bill because I won't be getting an Americano post run. 

You can make these Power Protein Balls many different ways and I will post different versions of them on the blog if you guys enjoy this recipe. Don't be afraid to get creative with these and add different things. You may not like sunflower butter, but I love it, so it really depends on your tastes. 

What you'll need:

Utensils: Mixing Bowl, Spatula, Kitchen Aid Mixer 

• Rolled Oats

• 1-scoop of Vital Proteins Cocoa Collagen Whey

• 1-cup of raw honey

• ¾-cup of Peanut Butter

• ¾-cup of sunflower seed butter

• ¾-cup of organic, unsweetened, shredded coconut

• 1-tbs of organic unrefined coconut oil

• A dash of pumpkin spice

• 1-tbs of organic chia seeds

• ½-cup of organic semi-sweet chocolate chips

You certainly don't have to use a Kitchen Aid Mixer, but I found it be a much quicker option versus hand mixing everything. 

So I'm curious, what time do you guys wake up in the morning? Do you like waking up with the sun or do you have a specific wake up time? Buddhists say to rise with the sun and set with the stars, and in doing so we are naturally synching up with our natural bio-rhythms. I know many people who do this who lead highly successful lives. I always feel more successful when I've started my day early and set everything I want for that day into motion. I feel calmer too because I have more time to get all of the things done that I need to. I'm one of those people who gets a plate of things to do and then adds to it, and adds to it and adds to it, and well you get the picture. Before I know it my plate is so full that I'm left at the end of the week feeling discouraged and over worked. Waking up at 5 am and watching the sunrise, with my coffee in hand makes all difference. I have time in the morning to breathe, do yoga, and just be for the first couple of hours in the day. Now, I hear this all changes when you have kiddos, but since I'm not there yet, I might as well as take advantage of it. My goal this week is to wake up at 5 am every day and see if how much more productive I am. I'm curious to test out my theory more this week and really work hard to get on this new sleep schedule. I know that waking up at 5 am probably sounds nuts to most of you, but try it for a week and see how you feel. You may actually like waking up at the crack of dawn and that concept might not sound so foreign anymore. And this is coming from a pro night owl who works in the wedding industry and is typically up editing until the sun rises.