Today’s blog post is a day-in-the-life style post that recaps our day yesterday with a focus on food, fitness and family and includes a recipe for a delicious on-the-go snack: Vegan Protein Balls!
Hey friends! I’m popping in this morning with a peek into our day yesterday! Sometimes I get caught up in feeling like day-in-the-life style blog posts are a thing of the past since Instagram Stories made their debut and many people opt to share peeks into their lives on that platform but for me, blogging will always have my heart. It also allows me to snap a pic, move on with my day and recap everything later which keeps me off my phone and more present in my life. I’m curious to know what you guys prefer — day-in-the-life blog posts or IG Stories for day-in-the-life stuff? I’m all about that bloooog life!
Morning
My day yesterday began around 5 a.m. and kicked off with a sweet potato muffin and coffee on the couch along with my latest small group study. I then grabbed the mason jar chia seed pudding I prepped the night before for breakfast and made my way into my home office to get some work done before the boys were up for the day.
I began working on Ryder’s 10 month baby update blog post and replied to some time-sensitive emails before I heard Ryder making noise on the monitor. Mornings are always a little easier when Ryder wakes up first because I’m able to nurse him and get him dressed without a rambunctious three-year-old vying for his attention!
As I was nursing Ryder, Chase woke up, so I brought Ryder into his big brother’s room once he was done nursing and set him up with some toys while Chase and I read a few books before breakfast. We then moved into my bedroom so the boys could play together while I got dressed before making our way downstairs. (In case you were wondering, yes, we have toys stashed all over our house. The things I never thought I’d do before I had kids…)
I set the boys up with breakfast in the kitchen as I made Chase’s lunch and then did a little vegetable chopping for dinner prep before it was time to load up the car and drive to preschool drop-off.
Once Chase was settled at school, Ryder and I headed to the YMCA.
While Ryder had fun with toys and baby friends in childcare, I completed a shoulders + triceps workout that looked like this:
We were in and out of the gym in right around 45 minutes and by the time we made it home, Ryder was ready for a snack. He dug into some leftover pancakes and broccoli (quite the combination, huh?) before nursing and going down for his morning nap.
While he slept, I made myself a protein-packed post-workout snack and whipped up a batch of vanilla peanut butter vegan protein balls.
The base of the recipe was a combination of oats and Biochem 100% Plant Protein. I first became familiar with Biochem when I saw some of their protein powders on sale through Thrive Market and was excited when they sent me a few of their newest protein powders to try. Their vanilla plant protein quickly became one of my favs!
It’s made with three fermented, highly sustainable clean plant-based protein ingredients — shiitake mushrooms, organic pumpkin seeds and water lentils — and only non-GMO ingredients. I’ve used it in my vegan protein overnight oats as well as protein balls and protein pancakes and thought it was great.
But back to the protein balls! I played off the protein powder’s vanilla flavor and enhanced it with a splash of vanilla extract along with plenty of peanut butter to hold everything together and the end result was a sweet-but-salty flavor explosion!
If you want to give them a try here’s the recipe:
Peanut Butter Vanilla Vegan Protein Balls
Print
Vegan Protein Balls
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 scoops Biochem 100% Plant Protein Vanilla Flavor
- 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 cup natural peanut butter (drippy nut butter works best!)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1–2 tablespoons unsweetened vanilla almond milk (begin with 1 tablespoon and gradually add more if needed)
- pinch of pink Himalayan salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until a very thick, slightly crumbly dough begins to form.
- Use a cookie scoop or a large spoon to scoop a spoonful of dough into your hands. Roll the dough between two hands to form a ball.
- Form the remaining dough into balls and store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Using a natural peanut butter is key in this recipe! You want it to be a little drippy. Since the textures of peanut butters vary quite a bit, your peanut butter will impact how much almond milk you need to use to get your protein ball dough moist enough to stick together. Start with the smallest amount of almond milk and add a tiny bit at a time, taking care not to add too much or you’ll get a gooey mess!
I ate two protein balls at the computer and worked up until Ryder was awake again and ready for some playtime! Ryder loves crawling after anything and everything these days, so I rolled a ball around for him and then he crawled all over the kitchen floor after a train toy until it was time to leave for preschool pickup.
Afternoon
Once we were all back home, we ate an afternoon snack on a blanket in the backyard while we threw a ball for Sadie and played “I spy” before nap time.
Both boys went down for their afternoon naps at the same time yesterday (a feat that will never ever be taken for granted over here!) and I went into overdrive mode while they slept. I grabbed a quick shower before making myself a quick lunch to eat while I worked and did a load of laundry.
Once the boys were awake, we headed off to a local park for a play date with friends and some fun in the sun! I cannot believe Chase only has two weeks left of preschool before school is out and summertime is here. I see a lot more park time and play dates in the near future!
Evening
We made it back home around the same time Ryan got off work and I quickly cooked dinner while Ryan played with the boys. I made Brittany’s recipe for butternut squash dal but prepared it on the stove top using a package of frozen butternut squash cubes to save time.
I also added a little coconut milk to my version and we loved it!
After dinner, the rest of the night passed by in a blur of baths, bed time and straightening up the house. I missed diving into a book last night and would love to hear any recommendations you might have for my next read. I finished reading I’m Fine and Neither Are You late last week and really liked it and I’m now on the lookout for something with a little mystery and suspense.
As for the rest of the week, it’s business as usual around here today with the whole preschool thang, but tomorrow I’m watching a friend’s kids and then we’re planning to grill out with neighbors so it should be a good one. I hope you all have a great Thursday!
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Day-in-the-life blog posts please!!!
I don’t do any social media!
Day in the life. I don’t have social media.
Have you read the Mother in Law by Sally Hepworth? It was so good!!
I haven’t! Thank you for the suggestion!
I recently read and enjoyed these books: An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks, Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman, and All These Beautiful Strangers by Elizabeth Klehfoth. They’re all suspenseful and plot-twisty!
All These Beautiful Strangers was so good!! I haven’t read the others & will check them out. Thanks!!
I am reading another Greer Hendricks book, The Wife Between Us, and it’s a great thriller so far! Let us know what you choose! No Exit was also a great thriller I read earlier this year.
Is no exit by Taylor Adams? The Wife Between Us is SO good!
Hi Sara! Yes, it is by Taylor Adams. I actually posted a review on my blog if you’d like to check it out:
https://bmoregirlreads.com/2019/03/book-review-no-exit.html
those pink shoes are so cute, what brand are they??
Adidas! They’re the swift run sneakers! So so so comfy.
i was just sending a link to another reader so figured i’d follow up and share one with you as well just in case you’re having trouble finding the exact pair/color: http://bit.ly/2VtxkVR definitely size DOWN because they run big!!
How long does Ryder actually sit on the blanket?!? It’s exhausting taking my 10 month old out on a blanket because she immediately makes a beeline to the grass to try and get in a nice green snack lol. (But we love being outside so I just enjoy the exercise)
Agree with others…I enjoy reading day in the life posts, I do not care much for watching insta stories.
Snacks help!! And he LOVES watching Sadie run and fetch a ball so that kept him stationary for a bit but he definitely crawled off and into the grass a bunch!
Day in the life posts! I don’t do any social media.
Day in the life posts – Instagram stories are overwhelming!
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides is next on my list. My mom said she couldn’t put it down and that the ending was bananas!
I really love your day in the life posts! More so than instagram stories. Thanks 🙂
Your day-in-the-life posts are my favourite blog posts of yours. I enjoy your insta-stories as well but prefer the blog posts. Have a great day!
Day in the life wins for sure!?
Btw, I LOVE those sneakers….can you share details about them? I have bunions and looking for a new sneaker. Thanks!
yes! they’re adidas swift run sneakers — here’s a link: http://bit.ly/2VtxkVR they run very large, so i’d size 1/2 to a full size down!
I love the old fashioned day in the life blog posts. I am usually reading from my desk at work so the blog format works better than being on my phone with audio. Keep ’em coming! 🙂
I definitely prefer blog posts! I actually hate videos on instagram and prefer it for photos only! I’m usually only browsing instagram at times when sound wouldn’t be appropriate
i totally get that! i often skip over videos on IG as well b/c of the sound.
Your day in the life blogs are my absolute favorite! I gave up Instagram! I do look at your Instagram every now and then but I can’t see any stories or videos. I briefly tried Instagram but it took way too much time and honestly, it was just too much for me. It made me feel less than way too often.
I really enjoyed The Lost Night! A good mystery!
Right now I am reading Maybe You Should Talk to Someone and it is so, so interesting.
Day in the life blog please. I don’t do social media as it is to overwhelming to me. Thanks!
social media majorly overwhelms me, too! i honestly don’t think i’d be on it at all if i didn’t feel the need to do so for the blog/business purposes. i feel ya!!
Ok so mushrooms in the protein powder – how is the overall taste? I’m very intrigued by these ingredients! Ha! I second the day in the life posts – always fun to read. They were the first posts of yours I started reading YEARS ago when I was bored at work and was just starting to dabble in blogging myself!
you cannot taste the mushrooms at all!! i’m also very picky about protein powders and this one has a very strong and sweet vanilla flavor.
Another vote for Day in the Life blog posts! I love Instagram, but the stories don’t stay and it’s hard to follow along. I feel like it’s better for quick ‘pop ins’.
Thanks for the recipe! As a teacher I’m always looking for high protein snacks that are easy to eat on the go!
Random question: any tips on how to stay awake while reading at night? I have three littles (4, 21 months and 6 months) and by the time I get my oldest settled in and do everything I need to get ready for the next day, I can’t keep my eyes open, even when I’m reading something I enjoy! I love reading but night time is the only time I can squeeze it in.
i also only read at night before bed and the key for me is getting in bed as early as possible! like crazy early sometimes if the kids go to bed at a decent time — i’m basically in bed most nights around 8:30 p.m.! we don’t watch tv much at all so all of our “unwinding” time is usually spent in bed talking and reading. also, i wasn’t able to read nearly as much at night until ryder began sleeping better so reading definitely ebbs and flows around here along with baby sleep!!
I love the day-in-the-life posts. I am not a fan of videos on Instagram (who has time to watch all that?). I occasionally scroll through the photos on Instagram, but even that takes a lot of time. I much prefer blog posts that I can read when I have time.
DAY IN THE LIFE FOR SURE!!! They are my fav 🙂
thanks for weighing in!! they’re some of my favorites to write and they’re definitely my fav to read on other blogs as well 🙂
Have you read The Banker’s Wife yet? I really liked that one and it’s definitely suspenseful 🙂 The Mother-in-law is also on my must-read list because I love the author!
Blog post over IG story, DEFINITELY.
I’m not often on my IG during the day so I miss things ~ plus I like seeing everything together/feel as though bloggers put more thought into this content and reflections that I find interesting.
Hi Julie! I much prefer day in the life blog posts. I only follow friends and family on Instagram so I’ve never seen blogger stories before. Thank you!
DAY IN THE LIFE BLOG POSTS FOR SURE! I have been a long time reader and just love reading these! I don’t know why……HAHA—-but I do.
I am currently reading THE GOOD DAUGHTER by KARIN SLAUGHTER and it is very good. Mystery/Thriller. Also anything by James Patterson is always a win!
Have you read Where the Crawdads Sing yet? I’m 3/4 of the way through and really enjoying it so far.
I have!! That book was wonderful. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time!
I wanted to share this recipe with you since it seems like you’ve been gravitating towards vegetarian meals… this has been one of my absolute favorites lately! The flavor of the mango on top really brings it all together. https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/simple-coconut-quinoa-and-lentil-curry-with-lime-mango/
thank you for sharing! that sounds right up my alley!
Can you link the blanket you use in the yard? Is it waterproof? I need something that we can sit on after our sprinklers run!
it’s water-resistant but great in dewy grass! here’s a link: http://bit.ly/2Ha0jE1 we love it and have had it since chase was a baby so its held up really well!
I much prefer Day in the life Blogs!!!
I got so many book recommendations from these comments! Yay! And my old school soul must admit that I love how everyone chose blogs over insta stories!
ME TOO. you guys are my people! <3
Day in the life blog post!
Question….when do you clean the house? You are always so busy!
ughhhh our house is never sparkling, that’s for sure! i commit to a 10-15 min clean each night after the boys go to bed and that’s crucial for our kitchen/family room. other areas i just do what i can when they’re awake. in general, i think our house is fairly tidy (now chase knows he has to put away his own toys) but i need a better system and am often overwhelmed by the deep clean stuff that gets neglected.
I’ve been reading your blog for yeeears and always love your day-in-the-life posts! Blogging is cooler than insta! Don’t stop! 😉
ha!! i MUCH prefer blogging and reading blogs to instagram! <3 and thank you for reading for so long!!
I love the day in the life posts! Keep it up!
Hi Julie! Please continue doing Day in the life on the blog, rather than instagram. I don’t have social media because it overwhelms me and I struggle with the “comparison trap”. It actually makes me feel better that other readers don’t have social media either-I get crazy looks from people when/if it comes up that I’m 33 and have never had Facebook or instagram and probably never will. Old school blogging for life!
Hi Julie!
I’m reading The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn and am really enjoying it. It’s going to be movie in October of this year. I also just finished Then She Was Gone and Watching You, both by Lisa Jewell and liked them both 🙂
Blog posts all day any day! I don’t have any social media and it always makes me sad when Instagram/ Facebook becomes the platform of choice. Love your blog Julie! ♡
I love blog posts about day in the life! Reading allows me to comprehend at my own pace, rather than be overwhelmed by Instagram stories ? PLus, you share the best recipes! I still love the kale Caesar salad you shared from Pinch of Yum.
Hi Julie, did you purchase the 6 package of card games at Walmart? Would love to buy them. Thanks.