Those sound good don’t they?
They are and we’ll get to them in a second but first, guess who got back on the strength training bandwagon today? Me, me, me!
After 2 weeks off, I felt my back was recovered enough to finally give stage 2 of NROLFW a go and it felt great during the workout. I made sure to focus on keeping my abs tight with each move to stabilize my back. Let me tell you though, it’s a lot more work to have to focus intently on doing that with every.single.rep. but obviously, it’s worth it to avoid re-injury and probably what I should be doing anyway. I also toned down the starting weights. While I knew I could go a little heavier on some of the moves, I want to be smart about getting back into lifting and not strain myself from day 1. I’d rather be able to lift lower weights than hurt myself and be sidelined again.
So far I like stage 2 and the new exercises. The dreaded step-up is one of the two moves that carried over from stage 1 though, go figure. The last move in the workout is the horizontal cable wood chop. I don’t have a cable system that is mid-chest at home so the home gym version says to lay on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor and just simulate the movement with a dumbbell or kettle ball. Well, I tried that and I definitely don’t think I’m doing it right because I don’t feel any sort of “burn.” Can anyone out there describe this move better? I also definitely have a new favorite for this stage, the one point dumbbell row.
It feels like warrior 3 in yoga but with a strength element, I love it.
Stage 2 is 8 workouts long so hopefully in about 3 weeks I’ll have an update on progress. Fingers crossed for good health until then!
Now, on to the good stuff.
I took Averie’s method and created my own raw dough ball flavor.
Cherry + coconut + chocolate chips.
Larabar needs to come up with this cherry + chocolate chip flavor. These taste almost like a combination of their cherry pie + chocolate chip brownie bars except less “datey” and more “doughy.”
They are perfect for popping a couple after dinner and calling it dessert. They’re also perfect for quick fuel pre-workout. I used them as both yesterday. 
This made 15 balls. My mission is to eat them all before leaving for a 36 hour trip to Seattle on Wednesday. For some reason I don’t think it will be a problem.
Cherry coconut chocolate
chip raw dough balls
Method from Averie’s raw vegan chocolate chip cookie dough balls
Makes about 15 balls
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 1/4 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/4 + 1/8 cup dried cherries
- 2 tbsp shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 3 tbsp dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp agave
Directions:
Process almonds and oats together in food processor until almost a fine flour. Add all other ingredients except chocolate chips and pulse until mixture comes together. Fold in chocolate chips and roll into balls. Keep refrigerated.
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
I want one (or maybe four) of those to have with breakfast this morning – can we make this happen!?!
Looks incredible as usual
These are looking might tasty. I love making anything with cherries right now.. not only are they delicious but so much cheaper than usual!
Ok these seriously look amazing.
Yay! I’m so happy to hear your back held up. Hopefully that move you like will help strengthen it enough to prevent future ouchies.
I love choc + cherry!
The one point dumbbell row looks tough — I love strength exercises that also focus on balance.
Glad you were able to get back in to your routine! I’ve been studying to become a personal trainer and one of the things I JSUT learned is that when coming back from an injury, obviously use lighter weights but also don’t do the max reps. For instance, if it says 15-20 reps…just do 10. This will be a much easier transition for that recovering injury! Hope you keep feeling better!
Again, why don’t you work in the CT office? I want to eat these.
Ummm… YUM. I think I actually have those ingredients in my cabinet. What a yummy little dessert treat!!! (And by dessert I mean breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack.)
Glad your feeling back to normal and able to lift again!
Those dough balls look and sound amazing but did I hear ’36′ hour trip?! wtf!? That sounds hideous! Very jealous your going to Seattle though! 
Yep, I leave at 9:30am and come back the next day at 9:30pm. Ugh!
Yay on feeling better!
These seriously look amazing, I love the shredded coconut addition
I loooove raw dough balls, especially in the summer. You are doing awesome things with them! Cherry and coconut…yum!
I know what is on the agenda this weekend for a sweet treat. Looks delicious!
Yay for a cookie dough recipe without dates! Thanks for sharing!
I’m obsessed with cherries and chocolate together! Definitely making these
Wow! This look really delicious and sweet. I have bunch of cherries here! I love chocolate with cherry!
these look absolutely delicious! and they seem so easy…these are definitely going to be on the menu soon!
these look awesome and thanks for mentioning me.
I also have this raw vegan cookie dough bites recipe based on the original, it also uses coconut
http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2011/06/no-bake-coconut-chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-bites.html
I bet the cherries in yours are stellar. Choc + cherries is SUCH a good combo!
I’ve made that coconut version before too, love it! I haven’t met a raw dough ball I don’t like yet
I realize this is coming late, but I take a 10 lb weight (go up once you get the hang of it) and kinda start in a halfway squat position with the weight in both hands holding it by my left knee (just the side I start on). Then, I raise it above my right shoulder or past, arms extending so going from knee to opposite raised position, keeping my arms straight. You get a little of a twist in your abs.
(In answer to your “Can anyone out there describe this move better?”)
And these dough balls look awesome! I want to make them for my vacation next week for hiking in the mountains. They look great for a pick me up, while not eating a granola bar every day
Better late than never b/c I seriously never figured that move out. Thank you! This makes much more sense now
The dough balls would be perfect for hiking, hope you make them, they are my favorite combination yet!
Wanted to come back and tell you that I loved them and I will be making them again. I am having trouble finding chia seeds in my store so I omitted them, but would love to add them when I do find them. Also, I had trouble with them sticking together so I used a tablespoon to scoop then knock out onto my counter so they were Energy Domes. Even my husband and 2 year old wanted more. Thanks!
Yay, glad you liked them! Most natural food type stores will have chia seeds but they’re defniitely not a must in the dough balls. I had a little trouble getting them to stick together too, popping the dough into the freezer for 10-15 minutes seemed to help a bit. I should edit the recipe to say that…
This will be a much easier transition for that recovering injury! Ugh!
Yummy balls! I loved these also because I love coconut and the combination of cherry in these is superb!
These were super delicious, but even doubling the recipe I only got 15 balls out of it.
Guess your balls were bigger than mine?
(sorry-couldn’t resist)
I remember these being pretty small though so maybe that’s why. Glad you enjoyed them at least!
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