Simple Smile

To brighten your day, make a difference, and touch someone else's life in return, sometimes all it takes is one simple gesture - to thank your taxi driver, hold the elevator door for a stranger, hug tight, share an honest compliment, and above all smile. Smile brightly that is. A smile can be a powerful, strong, and warming gesture. It also uses less muscles then making the "frown face".

My favourite yoga teacher often says, smack in the middle of a challenging balancing pose, "lift and shine brightly through your finger tips". It's kinda funny, because as soon as he reminds the class to smile and "brighten" the pose eases and everyone gains that extra ounce of strength to push and extend a little further.

If a smile can brighten your yoga pose, then it can definitely brighten your day and others around you. Smile more and smile often. It's so simple, no?

To honour both smiles and simplicity, I thought I'd share one of my favourite "ball" recipes with you. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Simply Delicious Protein Balls

Ingredients

• 1 cup almonds
• 3 tbsp raw buckwheat groats (I used Loving Earth activated buckwheat..basically, soaked and dehydrated)
• 1 tbsp raw almond butter (you could use cashew or any other nut butter as well)
• 3-4 dates, soaked for least an hour (if possible)
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 1 heaping tsp Amazing Grass chocolate greens or cacao powder
• 2 tbsp Cinnamon 

Directions: In a food processor, grind your almonds and buckwheat groats. Slowly add in your remaining ingredients until the mixture begins to clump and stick together. If your mixture is too dry, add a small splash of water or almond milk. Roll into 8-10 balls, sprinkle with cinnamon, and store in the fridge for up a week.

Enjoy crumbled over a bowl of oatmeal or simply on their own. Ensure to smile as you eat them..after all, you made them :)